The Surprising Role of the Tongue in Alignment and Head Posture

When we think about posture, most of us focus on our back, shoulders, and neck. But did you know that your tongue plays a crucial role in your overall alignment and head posture? It’s one of those body parts we rarely consider, yet its position and strength can significantly influence everything from neck pain to breathing patterns.

Why the Tongue Matters

The tongue is a powerful muscle that, when in the correct position, helps support proper head and neck alignment. This affects everything from how we chew and swallow to the way we breathe. A misaligned or weak tongue can contribute to a host of problems, including:

1. Forward Head Posture: When the tongue rests too low in the mouth or pushes against the teeth, it can cause the head to move forward. This position puts extra strain on the neck muscles, leading to pain and discomfort.

2. Jaw and Dental Issues: A tongue that is not properly positioned can impact the alignment of the jaw and teeth. Over time, this can lead to issues like TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction and even influence the shape of the face.

3. Breathing Problems: The tongue plays a role in maintaining an open airway. If the tongue falls back or down, it can obstruct the airway, contributing to issues like sleep apnea or mouth breathing. Mouth breathing can, in turn, affect overall body posture as the head juts forward to facilitate air intake.

The Ideal Tongue Posture

So, what does good tongue posture look like? Ideally, your tongue should rest gently against the roof of your mouth, with the tip of the tongue resting on the ridges above the back of your front teeth (the tip of the tongue should not touch the teeth). This position helps maintain the natural curve of the cervical spine and supports overall head and neck alignment.

You can check your tongue posture by doing the following exercise:

1. Close your mouth and relax your jaw.

2. Place the tip of your tongue on the ridges just above the back of your upper front teeth, making sure it’s not pushing into the tissue there.

3. Gently press the rest of your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth. You should feel the back portion of the top of your tongue lifting slightly to rest against the roof of your mouth.

How to Improve Tongue Posture and Strength

Just like any other muscle, the tongue can be trained to be stronger and more supportive. Here are a few simple exercises to get started:

1. Tongue Press: With your mouth closed, press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth and hold for a few seconds. Repeat 5-10 times.

2. Tongue Press with Chin Tuck: Once you get the basics of the Tongue Press, add a chin tuck by pulling the chin straight back as you lengthen slightly through the back of the neck. Imagine a string being pulled straight up the back of the neck through the crown of the head as you tuck the chin and press the tongue into the roof of the mouth.

3. Support the neck in challenging positions: Press the tongue gently into the roof of the mouth whenever you find yourself bending forward or holding your head up. When you bend over to pick something up, as you are doing push ups, planks, or any other fitness positions.

The Bigger Picture: Alignment from the Inside Out

The position and strength of your tongue might seem like a small detail, but it’s all part of the bigger picture of body alignment. Everything in the body is connected, and small changes can have a ripple effect on our overall well-being.

By paying attention to your tongue posture and incorporating simple exercises into your routine, you can support better alignment and posture. Over time, this can help alleviate chronic neck pain, improve breathing, and even support better overall body mechanics.

Remember, every part of your body contributes to the whole, and sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference!

Have you been working on your tongue alignment?? Have questions? We'd love to hear about it below!