Why Posture Matters More Than You Think in Parkinson’s Disease

From slouched shoulders to tongue position—how body and oral posture impact communication, swallowing safety, and saliva control in Parkinson’s disease.

When most people think about Parkinson’s disease, they think about tremors or slow movement. But for many individuals, changes in speech, voice, and swallowing can be just as frustrating—and even dangerous.

What might surprise you? One of the most powerful tools for improving all three is something simple and often overlooked: posture.

Yes, posture. The way you sit, stand, hold your head, and even rest your tongue and lips can have a major impact on how clearly and confidently you speak—and how safely you swallow.

Let’s break down why posture matters—and how small adjustments can make a big difference.

Posture and the Parkinson’s Speech Puzzle

With Parkinson’s, it’s common to see a forward-leaning, slouched posture due to changes in muscle tone, balance, and rigidity. This posture doesn’t just affect your back and neck—it can cause:

• Reduced breath support for speech

• Soft or muffled voice (hypophonia)

• Difficulty coordinating speech movements

• Less effective swallowing mechanics

• Increased drooling (sialorrhea) due to poor lip seal, forward head position, decreased swallow frequency, and weakened swallow strength

When the body isn’t aligned, it’s harder to speak clearly, breathe efficiently, or swallow safely—and saliva can begin to pool or spill before the body even notices it’s there.

Oral Posture: What’s Going on Inside the Mouth Matters, Too

Oral posture refers to how your tongue, jaw, and lips are positioned when you’re not speaking or eating. In Parkinson’s, it’s common to see:

• Open-mouth rest posture

• Tongue sitting low in the mouth

• Poor lip closure

• Forward head position

These changes can cause:

• Increased saliva escape (drooling)

• Delayed swallow trigger or residue in the throat

• Reduced swallow strength and frequency

• Decreased awareness of saliva pooling

• Reduced precision with speech sounds

• Dry mouth from chronic mouth breathing

  
  

The result? Speech may sound less clear, swallowing may feel effortful, and saliva control becomes difficult and frustrating.

Therapy Can Help—And Posture is Part of the Plan

As a speech-language pathologist trained in Parkinson’s-specific techniques including LSVT LOUD and experienced in swallowing therapy, I help clients address these posture challenges as part of a holistic, whole-body approach.

Here’s how we work on posture during therapy:

✅ Practicing better sitting and standing alignment for breath and voice

✅ Using head and neck positioning strategies to protect the airway and support swallowing

✅ Teaching oral resting posture to support saliva control and speech precision

✅ Building muscle awareness for the lips, jaw, and tongue

✅ Collaborating with physical and occupational therapists for whole-body posture support

We use real-life speaking, eating, and hydration tasks to help carry over these skills into everyday routines.

Posture Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Power

Improving posture doesn’t mean sitting stiffly all day—it means learning how to use your body to support your communication, your safety, and your confidence.

For individuals with Parkinson’s, that kind of support can be life-changing.

Let’s Talk About Your Goals

If you or someone you love is navigating Parkinson’s and struggling with speech, voice, swallowing, or drooling, therapy can help—and posture may be the missing piece.

Ready to learn more or get started?

Book a free consultation with a licensed speech-language pathologist who understands the unique needs of Parkinson’s.