After my tenth baby, I experienced something unexpected and frustrating—a burning, numb tongue that wouldn’t go away. In this post, I’m sharing what I discovered about the connection between posture and nerve function, especially for nursing mothers, and how simple neck exercises brought relief within weeks. I also want to encourage other mothers that sometimes the answer isn’t complicated—it’s practical, gentle, and already within reach.
The Unexpected Postpartum Symptom
After baby number ten, I thought I had been through enough. Hospital stays, recovery, all the normal postpartum adjustments—and then suddenly, a numb, burning tongue. It felt strange and persistent, and honestly, it pushed me over the edge emotionally. I remember thinking, really? One more thing? It wasn’t severe enough to feel urgent, but it was constant enough to be maddening. And when you’re already tired, healing, and caring for a newborn, even something small can feel overwhelming.
Searching for Answers
I began researching, trying to find anything that made sense. Most of what I found online was alarming or discouraging. There were lists of serious conditions, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders—nothing that felt quite right for my situation. Then I stumbled across a single video (watch here) discussing the neurological connection between the upper cervical spine and the tongue. It explained how tightness or misalignment around the C1 and C2 vertebrae could potentially affect nerves that influence sensation in the mouth. It wasn’t widely discussed, but something about it resonated.
The Neck and Tongue Connection
The idea was simple: if our posture is poor—especially if our head is constantly thrust forward—it can create tension or compression in the upper neck. As nursing mothers, we often jut our chin forward to look at, kiss, or watch our babies. We hunch, lean, and round our shoulders without even realizing it. Over time, that forward posture can strain the delicate structures in the neck. When I pictured my spine slightly pushed forward and nerves possibly irritated, it suddenly made sense why my tongue felt numb and irritated.
Simple Exercises That Changed Everything
Paragraph text: I decided to try what the video suggested. I worked on posture daily. I practiced lying flat without a pillow and gently pressing the back of my head into the bed. I rolled and massaged my neck. I focused on pulling my chin back instead of pushing it forward. Nothing extreme—just consistent, gentle correction. Within a week or two, the numbness completely disappeared. It didn’t slowly fade over months. It simply stopped. And it has never returned.
Posture Matters
I began paying closer attention while nursing. It’s so easy to lean forward toward the baby instead of bringing the baby up to you. That subtle forward thrust of the chin becomes a habit. Over hours and weeks, it adds up. Adjusting my posture—stacking my head over my shoulders, relaxing my jaw, keeping my spine aligned—made a difference not only in my tongue but in my overall tension levels. It was such a small shift with such a big impact.
Loving Motherhood Means Loving Mom Too
As mothers, we endure discomfort quietly. We push through pain, exhaustion, and little nagging symptoms because there’s always someone else to care for. But part of loving motherhood is loving the mother. Pain, even something like mouth burning or numbness, can make us irritable and frustrated. It affects our peace and our relationships. Taking time to care for our posture and our bodies isn’t selfish—it strengthens our ability to serve joyfully.
Faith and Practical Wisdom
I truly believe we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our bodies are intricately connected in ways we don’t always understand. Sometimes the answer is medical, and sometimes it’s structural or practical. In my case, God guided me toward a simple, overlooked solution. When we are weak, He is strong. Even when we don’t immediately see the answer, He can gently lead us toward it—through research, wisdom, and persistence.
If you’re dealing with a burning or numb tongue, especially postpartum, consider looking at your posture and neck alignment before assuming the worst. Gentle exercises, cervical awareness, and mindful nursing positions may make more difference than you expect. And most of all, remember that caring for yourself is part of caring for your family—because a strong, supported mother blesses everyone around her.
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