Chiropractic Care and Pediatric Wellness with Dr. Caroline Long [Ep 5]

Pediatric Chiropractic, Tongue Ties & Airway: Dr. Caroline Long on Craniosacral Care, Fascia, and Infant Red FlagsDr. Piya Gandhi interviews Dr. Caroline Long, a chiropractor and owner of West U Wellness with 25 years of experience, about pediatric and pregnancy-focused chiropractic care and its role in airway and tongue-tie care. Dr. Long shares her path into pediatric chiropractic, her additional pediatric certification training, and how she built trust with doulas, midwives, and parents. They discuss how pediatric chiropractic differs from adult-style adjustments, the gentle approach used with infants, and craniosacral concepts including skull plate motion, intracranial pressure, and indicators for early cranial work before bones fuse. Dr. Long explains preparation goals for tongue-tie revisions by addressing compensatory body patterns, jaw/neck/shoulder/pelvic mobility, and breathing mechanics, and describes fascia as a body-wide connective membrane that can contribute to tension patterns. They cover signs infants may benefit from chiropractic care (limited head turning, head tilt, mouth breathing, poor seal/dribbling milk, colic, reflux, prolonged feeding, chronic ear infections, constipation) and how chiropractic and PT can work together for issues like torticollis and plagiocephaly to potentially reduce or avoid helmet time. They also touch on buccal ties as often more flexible, typically managed with stretches and observation unless clearly restrictive, and share examples of children seeking care for symptoms like a choking sensation related to neck tightness and athletes optimizing performance. The conversation emphasizes increased awareness driven by social media, the need for scientifically valid education, and multidisciplinary collaboration among pediatricians, dentists, chiropractors, PTs, and other providers. The episode ends with guidance on finding a qualified pediatric chiropractor, mentioning ICPA coursework and craniosacral training leaders, suggested screening questions for parents, and West U Wellness’s location in Bel Air at Bel Air and South Rice.00:00 Welcome + Meet Dr. Caroline Long (25 Years in Pediatric Chiropractic)01:16 Her Origin Story: Scoliosis, First Chiro Experience, and Finding Pediatrics03:28 What Pediatric Chiropractic Really Looks Like (Gentle Touch, Birth Patterns, Colic/Reflux)05:05 Building a Pregnancy & Pediatric-Focused Team (Including Newborn Success Stories)06:10 Craniosacral Therapy Explained: Skull Motion, Pressure, and Baby Head Shape Clues07:36 Tongue-Tie Prep: Changing Body Patterns for Better Breathing, Jaw Function, and Posture08:42 Fascia 101: The Body-Wide Connection from Tongue Tension to Movement Issues10:18 When Ties Keep Pulling Things Back: Compensation Patterns + Her Daughter’s Posterior Tie11:25 Airway, Palate Expansion, and Whole-Body Alignment (Jaw–Pelvis Link, Growth & Hormones)13:31 Chiropractic vs Physical Therapy: Structure vs Muscle—and Why Collaboration Matters15:13 Infant Red Flags: When Chiropractic Care May Help16:26 Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly) & Torticollis: Why Early Care Matters17:42 Buccal (Cheek) Ties: Stretching vs Release & What They Affect19:11 Chiropractic for Kids: Neck Symptoms, Vagus Nerve & Young Athletes20:21 Why More Families Are Seeking Alternatives: Social Media, Education & Collaboration26:13 Finding the Right Pediatric Chiropractor: Certifications, Questions to Ask & Wrap-UpConnect with Dr. Caroline Long of West U Wellness: Website: https://www.westuwellness.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westuwellness/ -----#childdevelopment #sleepdisorder #pediatrictherapy #podcast ________The Pediatric Breathing Project with Dr. Piya Gandhi explores how airway health, jaw development, and sleep impact childhood wellness. Parents and practitioners will learn to spot early signs of sleep-disordered breathing and discover practical solutions for healthier futures.If you’re a parent, dentist, pediatrician, or healthcare professional passionate about giving children the best start in life, this podcast is your guide to better breathing, better sleep, and better development.Piya Trehan Gandhi, DDSBOARD CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC DENTIST, AIRWAY AND TONGUE TIE RELEASE SPECIALISTInstagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | YouTube | WebsiteResources from Dr. Piya Gandhi:Free Airway Checklist + Provider Resources: https://drpiyagandhi.com/Find an Airway Provider Near You: https://drpiyagandhi.com/website_4530a186/#directory