The Power of Proper Tongue Posture 👅

Did you know your tongue has a home — and it’s the roof of your mouth?

Let's start with a self-check in --

Take a look at the photo to the right, and think about where your tongue is resting right now.

Are you most like A, B, C, or D?

A- the tip of your tongue is at the roof of your mouth, but the back and middle of the tongue are free hanging.

B- the tip, middle, and back of your tongue are gently suctioned up into the palate.

C- the tongue is free hanging in the mouth, not really resting on anything.

D- the tongue is low, resting on the floor of the mouth.

Now that you've thought about it, let's talk about

Why Tongue Posture Matters 👅

The way your tongue rests can impact way more than you think…

👎 A low resting tongue position can lead to:

Excess jaw tension as your muscles work overtime to support the joint.
It can also reduce your airway space, leading to mouth breathing and shallow breathing patterns. 😮‍💨
A low tongue posture is linked to clenching and grinding at night — your body trying to stabilize while you sleep. 😬
And yes — it can even apply pressure to your teeth, increasing the risk of orthodontic relapse. 🦷

The good news? 🧠✨

You can retrain your tongue posture with the right assessment and exercises.

✅ When your tongue rests fully on the palate:

It provides natural support and promotes healthy jaw and facial development.
This posture allows your lips to seal and creates a gentle suction that helps your cheeks support your jaw — effortlessly. 👄
It helps the muscles of the jaw and neck to relax, reducing unnecessary tension and strain. 💆‍♀️
It also encourages deep, nasal breathing, which is key for optimal rest, focus, and nervous system regulation. 🌬

Not sure where your tongue rests?
Let’s find out together during a TMJ assessment — and start working toward balance, breath, and better jaw function.

👅 #TMJThursdays | 💬 DM or book today
#TonguePosture #TMJAwareness #JawHealth #FunctionalBreathing #ClaringtonRMT #RMTBowmanville

Alison Simic, RMT | Bowmanville, ON | Book at Soma Collective Health | Instagram | Facebook

Comments

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Registered Massage Therapist in Clarington since 2011 As a Registered Massage Therapist, my goal is to create movement and ease in the body through intentional, hands-on treatment. I use a wide range of techniques—from Swedish and deep tissue variations to push-pull forces, gliding, shearing, compression, joint mobilizations, and both passive and active movement. When appropriate, I incorporate tools such as silicone cups to create negative pressure in stubborn or congested areas. The History I’ve been practicing massage therapy since graduating from Sir Sandford Fleming College in 2011, and continue to be deeply curious about the human body—especially how pain, movement, and postural dysfunction are interconnected. My treatments are guided by both clinical reasoning and a strong intuitive sense, developed over more than a decade of hands-on experience. Massage Therapy Treatment I regularly work with clients managing chronic tension, muscle strain, posture-related discomfort, and acu...

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