Breathing

Breathing is the most performed and most necessary voluntary movement we perform throughout the day. It is the foundation for all other movement skills, yet it is often one of the most dysfunctional movements that patients present with.

Breathing is intimately tied to every other movement we perform, our general health and wellbeing, as well as our emotional and mental health. For many people, learning how to breath properly is the first step to improving their health.

The diaphragm, the large muscle at the base of the ribcage which is the most important muscle for respiration, is also involved in stabilizing your trunk and spine during movement. It is an integral part of your “core,” the muscles that act like a corset around your midsection. Unfortunately for most people, their diaphragm is hardly active during breathing and not coordinated at all with the rest of their core.

When your diaphragm is under-active you are likely not pulling air into the base of your lungs effectively, where most of the oxygen exchange between the air and your blood occurs. Your rate of breathing is likely accelerated, resulting in even less respiratory efficiency, and as a result your physical and emotional stress increases.

Whatever your goals in coming to see me, breathing retraining will likely be an integral component of your plan of care.