The Tongue-Nervous System Connection: Why You Feel On Edge
Have you ever felt like your body is stuck in overdrive, no matter how much yoga or deep breathing you try? The culprit might not be what you think. Believe it or not, your tongue could be the hidden villain behind your stress. That little muscle does much more than help you talk and eat—it plays a significant role in your breathing and, ultimately, your nervous system.
How Your Tongue Impacts Your Breathing and Nervous System
Your tongue’s position affects how you breathe, and your breathing directly impacts your nervous system. When you breathe through your mouth, your body stays in “fight or flight” mode, keeping you stressed and on edge. On the other hand, proper tongue posture—with your tongue resting gently against the roof of your mouth—encourages nasal breathing, which signals your nervous system to relax. Think of it as a built-in relaxation switch you didn’t know you had.
The Problem: Weak or Improper Tongue Posture
Things can go haywire when your tongue isn’t where it should be. Whether it’s weak, tied down, or simply “chillaxing” in the wrong spot, poor tongue posture can lead to mouth breathing and shallow breathing patterns. This sets off a vicious cycle of tension, shallow breathing, and feeling constantly on edge. Many people are unaware of this connection, but once they learn about it, the transformation can be life-changing.
The Solution: Myofunctional Therapy
The good news is that you can retrain your tongue and breathing habits through myofunctional therapy. Think of it as personal training for your tongue. By strengthening your tongue and developing proper posture, you can break the cycle of stress, improve your breathing, and support your nervous system. It’s not just a gimmick—it’s a science-backed approach that has delivered incredible results for countless clients.
Take the Next Step
If you’re tired of feeling stressed and wired, it might be time to look at your tongue. Myofunctional therapy can help you build better habits, calm your nervous system, and boost your overall health. To learn more about how this transformative therapy can work for you, download our Getting Started Guide and take the first step toward a healthier, more relaxed you.
Meet Carmen Woodland
Carmen found this path of passion years ago as a dental hygienist.
Her story is personal and close to home. Her sweet granddaughter, Linzee, was passed back and forth amongst doctors and therapists for years trying to figure out her speech, breathing, sleep, chewing and swallowing issues. It wasn’t until Carmen completed post graduate training that she knew Linzee’s problem was a significant tongue-tie. Bingo. Fast forward to now. Carmen is a crusader. An international wellness warrior like you’ve never met! Carmen has continued her wellness education to include certifications in nutrition, toxins, environmental health, blood chemistry and sleep.
Carmen helps tired humans feel better. Yep–that can sound like a pretty generic term, but the results she gets for clients distills down to them feeling like their most amazing self…energetic + vibrant + rested + living without anxiety, dread, and other similar symptoms. Carmen doesn’t “just do myofunctional therapy.” Her magic happens when she tackles the root cause of poor sleep, digestion, weight gain, snoring, chronic fight or flight, mindfulness and more. It’s “More Than Myo™”!
Regardless of how much myofunctional therapy you do, if your blood sugar regulation is a mess, then sleep won’t be optimized. If you’re trying to solve snoring with weight loss, but can’t lose an ounce, maybe you need to take a look at the vicious cycle of sugar and processed carbohydrate addiction or “adrenal fatigue”. If your digestion is a mess, simply releasing your tongue tie won’t solve the whole equation. If you’re trying to learn how to nasal breathe but are a congested mess, perhaps you need some food sensitivity testing to see where your inflammation is coming from. This is the work that Carmen and her team at Impact Myofunctional Therapy / Impact Health Restoration work on. No easy answers. No easy clients. Carmen works with clients all over the world in her practice.
In addition, she also
- Teaches at the Myofunctional Therapy Training Academy.
- Coaches dental offices on how to implement myofunctional screening into their daily practice
- Speaks in various settings
Carmen is also an airway provider for the Foundation of Airway Health, where she works diligently for the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of airway-related disorders. And last but not least, Carmen is a proud member of several professional associations that afford the opportunity to learn so that she can help you. Her professional memberships include: