How to Lick Your Elbow

Last Updated: May 15, 2022

Not everyone can lick their elbow. If you've been blessed with a particularly short upper arm, though, combined with an abnormally long tongue, learning the right reaching technique can help you make this supposedly impossible task a reality. See Step 1 for more information.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing the Elbow Bend

1
Be gentle and warm up with some stretches first. Get your neck loose by rotating it around gently a few times and stretch your shoulders out by rotating them around your body.
- Roll your neck around clockwise five times, then counter-clockwise for a simple neck stretch.
- Wrap each arm around your body as if you were giving yourself a hug. With your other arm, hold it in place for a count of 15, then repeat with the other arm.
2
Hold your right arm out straight with your palm flat. Relax your shoulders and your hand. Don't clench your fist.

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3
Pull back your shoulder as far as you can so your shoulder blade stick out. Imagine someone where pushing on your fingertips and pushing your arm straight back. Loosen up your shoulder a bit.
4
Wrap your arm around your chin. Bring your arm across your body as far as it can, bring your elbow as close as possible to your mouth.
5
Push/pull your arm backward. This is the tricky part and can cause some discomfort. Use your left hand to guide back the right arm, keeping your shoulder back as possible.
6
Crane your neck forward. Stretch your neck forward, chin out, as far as you can. Try to think of it like you're going to grab your elbow with your chin. This will help you get the most distance out of your stretch.
7
Stick your tongue out as far as it will go. If you've got the right build for it, you should be able to stretch your tongue to your elbow in this position.
- If at this point, you can't touch your tongue to your elbow, stop. This stretch will get your elbow as close as possible to your mouth as possible. If you can't, it's because your upper arm is too long and no amount of stretching will make it happen. Don't risk hyperextending your shoulder by yanking on it too hard.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Lying Down

1
Lie down on your stomach, with your arms in front of your face. Make like your superman flying and stretch your arms out.
- In general, this is a good stretch for your arms, getting your shoulders loose for this attempt.
2
Bend your right or left arm so that your forearm is pressed firmly on top of your biceps. Pretend you're a villain in an old movie and you're covering your face with your cape. Wrap your arm around, trying to touch your other shoulder-blade.
3
Pull your arm closer to your face, resting your chin on your forearm. Don't pull too hard, or you risk hyperextending your shoulder. But pull your arm back as far as it can comfortably go.
4
Stick your tongue out and down. Again, don't struggle. If you're built for this, you should be able to reach your elbow from this position with the right tongue length and arm build.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Stretching and Other Tricks

1
Do tongue stretches to try to make your tongue longer. It's not guarantee that you can make your tongue longer, but there are some proven techniques that work to strengthen the muscle of your tongue, making it stronger and possibly bigger.
- Press the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth and roll the middle and back of your tongue forward. Smile in this position to stretch your tongue. Try to make space in the back of your mouth and in your throat, so that your tongue can move easily, rolling slowly out and relaxing slowly back in.^{[1]
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2
Stretch your shoulders. Develop a shoulder stretch routine that works for you, building strength and flexibility in your shoulder blades. If you have tight muscles, you won't be able to do this, even if your arm is the proper length and you've got a Gene Simmons tongue.
- Bring your arm over your head, putting one wrist on the top of your head. Grab your elbow with your other hand, pulling toward the opposite side. Hold this position gently until a count of 15 and then alternate arms.
- Clasp hands behind your back and straighten your elbows slowly and repeatedly. Be gentle in this position, and go slowly. Try a set of 20.
3
Take deep breaths. Taking a big lungful will raise your diaphragm and allow you to stretch your neck out further and makes licking your elbow easier.

Community Q&A

Question

Why do people want to know how to do this?

Community Answer

One reason could be the fact that pop culture says that licking your elbow is physically impossible, and they'd like to prove them wrong. Another reason could be that licking your elbow makes for a cool party trick.
Question

I can do it but it hurts. How can I get it to not hurt?

Community Answer

Stretch and practice often! The pain won't completely go away, but stretching can reduce it.
Question

Is it impossible to lick my elbow?

Community Answer

No, it is possible. However, you need to be flexible. Doing stretches on a daily basis will help you achieve this goal.

Warnings

Do not forcibly pull your elbow closer; if you feel any pain, you should probably stop. You might dislocate your arm. Your tongue is bound to feel overstretched after this exercise, this is normal, it will stop shortly after you do.

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Do not put any strain on your elbow.

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