Tongue-Induced Migraines?
A Surprising Connection:
How Posterior Tongue Ties Can Trigger Headaches and Migraines
Posterior tongue ties, have long been associated with breastfeeding difficulties and speech impediments. However, recent research suggests that this seemingly isolated issue can also have a broader impact on an individual's full-body health, particularly in the realm of headaches and migraines.
The posterior tongue tie's effect on tongue movement and muscle tension can lead to changes in cranial posture and muscle activation patterns, potentially contributing to the development of headaches and migraines.
Saadoun et al. (2018) investigated a group of 50 participants with a confirmed diagnosis of posterior tongue ties and headache disorders. They found that 82% of the participants experienced a significant reduction in headache intensity and frequency following a tongue tie release. I can personally say, that of my personal clients, 95% noted improvement after a tongue tie release. One of these clients had been suffering with near-daily debilitating migraines since the age of 13 years old, and was previously prescribed narcotics for pain relief. After her tongue tie release, she reports about 2 migraines a month, and takes just over the counter pain killers.
While the association between posterior tongue ties and headaches/migraines is still an emerging field of study, understanding and exploring the impact of posterior tongue ties on tongue movement and muscle tension may pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches, and even potentially offer relief to those who have thus far not found any. If you feel like you could a potential candidate for a tongue tie release based on these symptoms- please talk to a tongue tie release practitioner to get a formal diagnoses and find out more!
source:
Saadoun, T. K., Saadoun, A. P., & Yakirevitch, A. (2018). Association between posterior tongue tie and headache disorders: A case-control study. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 58(9), 1433-1439.