PART 2- I'm a Singer and Vocal Coach and I have a tongue tie.
If you are a singer with a tongue tie and would like to chat about it some more, please reach out!
My Tongue Tie Journey: Documenting the Process and Insights
Hello folks!
It’s been a while since my last update on my tongue tie journey. I've had some delays and plenty of learning since then, and today I’m finally getting back to documenting my experience. First off, I realized that I may have used the word “diarize” in my previous video, which, honestly, isn’t even a word. “Document” would have been more accurate. But here we are, documenting my tongue tie journey and sharing what I’ve learned along the way.
Initial Steps and Skepticism
When I recorded my last video, I was about to see my dentist. I called ahead to check if they were knowledgeable about tongue ties, and they said yes. However, after our meeting, I found that my regular dentist, who focuses on teeth and gums, wasn’t quite the right specialist for this issue. He seemed skeptical about the concept of a posterior tongue tie, which I found quite common in specialists’ circles.
From my research, it seems that understanding and diagnosing posterior tongue ties requires specialized knowledge. It’s important to seek out a professional who specializes in tongue ties rather than relying solely on general practitioners or family dentists. So, my advice is to find a specialist who deals specifically with tongue ties for an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Myofunctional Therapy
After some consultations and a fair bit of research, I was officially diagnosed with a tongue tie! My tongue is tied in both the middle and posterior sections, which explains some of the challenges I’ve been facing with singing and speaking. It was a relief to get a definitive diagnosis and to begin planning my next steps.
The next phase in my journey involves myofunctional therapy. This therapy focuses on training the tongue to strengthen and improve its movement before any surgical intervention to release the tongue tie. This is crucial because the tongue is a powerful muscle that needs to be properly conditioned to function optimally. My therapy will continue even after the release to ensure long-term benefits. I’m excited to start this process next month!
Challenges and Insights
One significant challenge I’ve noticed is the limited movement of the back of my tongue, which affects my singing ability. I struggle to lift the back of my tongue consistently, which can lead to vocal fatigue and hoarseness, especially during choir sessions. This limitation has been a recurring issue, but understanding it in the context of a tongue tie has provided some clarity.
Additionally, I’ve become more aware of how my soft palate pulls down and how my tongue tugs backwards during singing. Recognizing these issues has been both enlightening and validating.
Personal Growth and Professional Insights
This journey has also been a learning experience on a professional level. I’ve started incorporating tongue assessments into my sessions with new clients and have identified five potential tongue ties among them. This suggests that tongue ties might be more common than previously thought, and it highlights the need for greater awareness within the singing and vocal coaching community.
I’m also in the process of applying for funding to support my treatment and will update you on that front once I have more information. If you have any questions or need support in your own journey, feel free to reach out to me at gemma@gemmamilburn.com.
Looking Ahead
I’ll continue to share updates on my treatment and any new insights I gain along the way. My next video will include details about my assessment outcome, chosen treatment plan, and any funding received. Thank you for following along, and stay tuned for more updates!
Until next time!
Gemma MilburnYou can watch the rest of this series here:
