Axial Skeleton

The pelvis is not presented as the sole one-way cause of tongue posture changes. The spine and axial skeleton are described as a connected system where movement limitations in one region can affect head, jaw, hyoid, mouth, and tongue posture. Once the mouth drops open, placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth becomes more difficult. Forward head posture can depress the hyoid bone and cause the mouth to drop open. Anterior pelvic orientation may contribute to forward head posture by shifting the body's orientation forward. Corrective work should first address axial skeleton movement limitations, especially with forward head posture, open mouth, or ventral cavity limitations.