Pain in the neck? The surprising role of tongue-ties in chronic pain relief

Undiagnosed tongue-tie may play a significant role in unresolved neck and jaw pain.

A relatively new field of research into the role of the tongue in neck and jaw pain has led to exciting discoveries that could be life-changing for many people.

Neck pain, jaw pain and headaches caused by muscular tension are a common cause of pain and disability worldwide. Often there is a combination of these three symptoms, causing great discomfort and difficulty in daily life.

How to tackle pain is constantly being researched by medical experts around the world.

There is significant scientific research at present, combined with many anecdotal reports of people getting great relief through the release of their tongues.

I have a 47-year-old female patient who experienced chronic and severe neck pain and headaches over many years. This caused chronic fatigue syndrome and many other symptoms.

Over the years she had consulted many therapists and specialists, and underwent several procedures and received various medications, but to no avail.

She was then seen by a myofunctional dentist who specialises in airway health and they discovered a high grade tongue-tie. The dentist did a quick release of the tongue-tie in the chair and she felt immediate pain relief and relaxation of her neck muscles.

She then started tongue rehab with me as a chiropractor and we worked inside her mouth on a regular basis to keep the mouth stretched and open and prevent tongue-tie regrowth.

Chiropractic massage in the mouth and stretching of the tongue are not painful exercises.

My patient’s life improved significantly, and one year later her fatigue and pain has gone completely, unless she gets very stressed. This procedure and rehab was life-changing for her.

Why is the tongue so significant?

When the tongue has a significant tie, the movement of the tongue is inhibited. Tongue movement and position helps form the shape and size of the mouth and jaw.

When the tongue is restricted, the mouth and jaw can be smaller and tighter and cause tension on surrounding muscles. This tension can cause severe pain.

There are four grades of tongue-tie, so not every case requires surgical intervention. Sometimes just some exercises to open the mouth are all that’s required to release muscular tension.

Dr Coovadia, a dentist at Eden Health, helps many people with this.

Sometimes a tongue-tie release is needed for newborn babies who are battling to latch on the breast. It’s also important to check for a tongue-tie in children who find it difficult to speak or have a slight stutter.

The tongue can also have an effect on the structure of sinuses, resulting in narrowed sinuses that can significantly impact sleep and the frequency of sinus infection.

It is wonderful that there is ongoing research into this, helping so many people around the world.

Dr Tracey Joelson qualified as a chiropractor in 2001 and now works from Eden Health in Salt Rock. She has four children and a special interest in family wellness and children.

Contact: 073 907 1581.

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