A New Normal: Mason’s Journey

Background –

I always had a restricted tongue but I thought I was normal. This was my normal. I struggled with speech when I was little and eventually overcame it. I never ever slept well, always had migraines. . Until one day I went to a new dentist, Dr. Shahnaz, who asked me if I had sleep issues and suffered from migraines. This was after looking at my tongue!

How did you feel before you came to us? –

I was living life and accepting insomnia, migraine, and tension as part of it. I thought this is my fate and just went on with life. After I visited Dr. Shahnaz, for the first time, she diagnosed me with a posterior tongue tie (these are apparently hard to diagnose and often missed). She explained the consequences of the tie, it tied (excuse the pun) into all the symptoms and health issues I was struggling with over the years. I was a bit skeptical at first because I have seen many dentists, hygienists, and doctors over the years. No one had ever mentioned this to me before.

How did it affect your quality of life? –

Since my tie was snipped, I immediately felt a release of tension in my shoulders, neck, and back. I felt like I was breathing for the first time. It’s hard to explain but the difference was instantaneous. I sleep like a baby now and wake up rested. I don’t get migraines anymore and life is just better.

The AirWayHealth Approach –

I had to see an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist (basically that is like physiotherapy for your mouth) who taught me to breathe through my nose and swallow correctly. I was also given preoperative and postoperative tongue-tie stretches so that I don’t get scar tissue and the tie does not reattach. The surgery was done by a periodontist. I  also had to see a chiropractor and craniosacral therapist for bodywork pre and post-surgery.

Results – 

Since my tie was snipped, I immediately felt a release of tension in my shoulders, neck, and back. I felt like I was breathing for the first time. It’s hard to explain but the difference was instantaneous. I sleep like a baby now and wake up rested. I don’t get migraines anymore and life is just better.

It was a long journey but well worth it. I speak better, eat, chew better, breathe and sleep better and my life seems more meaningful now. I am not just going through the motions.

How have things changed since you came to us? –

I am living and loving life now. Doing more things I have never dreamed of doing. Thank you to the wonderful team that changed my life.