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Am I Breathing Right?

Breathing Pattern Disorder

Most people assume that how we breathe is natural and cannot be changed. It is often felt that this automatic process has no impact on how we feel, function or perform, but this could not be further from the truth. We don’t all breathe correctly, and this can be the result of illness, injury, asthma, other lung issues, and can even just be the result of bad habits or
poor posture. A number of the physios at CSPC have an interest in breathing disorders, not just for athletes, but for many of our clients.

It is even more relevant now, with COVID related breathing issues. Learning to breathe correctly is important to help with recovery after surgery, after any respiratory illness, for management of chronic lung conditions, and also is helpful for fluid balance in the body- the diaphragm is important for helping fluid and blood flow through the body.

Having a breathing pattern dysfunction can cause symptoms such as:

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Having a breathing pattern dysfunction can cause symptoms such as:

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Feeling lightheaded
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Headache
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Anxiety
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Poor circulation in the hands and feet
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Vertigo
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Cramps
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Numbness in the hands and feet
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Shortness of breath/hyperventilation
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Confusion
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Tremor
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Low pain threshold
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IBS and bladder dysfunction

What Is A Breathing Pattern Disorder?

The most common breathing disorder is hyperventilation (breathing too rapidly). This can result in breathing out too much carbon dioxide, which leads to a reduced amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, called hypocapnia. The alteration in the delicate blood balance can have a knock on effect throughout the body, affecting the small muscles in the
capillaries in the limbs, gut and lungs. Your body then goes into subtle state of ‘fight or flight’, which is great if you have emergencies to deal with but is not great for your body to deal with every hour of the day. You may not even notice this effect, but your body will. It will cause increased muscle tone, increased heart rate, anxiety, symptoms in your peripheral and central nervous systems, and an altered pain threshold. An exhalation dysfunction is also common, where you don’t breathe out fully, so end up in a state of having an over-inflated thorax, so less air goes in and out of your lungs with each breath. And similarly, your inhalation may not be as good as it could be, for example only using the upper part of your thorax, which you may not notice at rest, but can become a challenge when exercising.

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At CSPC, we can assess for these breathing pattern disorders through our questions, looking for symptoms, postures and movement. A breathing pattern disorder can be related to other musculoskeletal issues, for example, spinal alignment, stiff joints in the thorax, and tightness in the muscles that attach onto the ribs. There may also be weakness in the
intercostal muscles between the ribs or the diaphragm. We have seen more breathing pattern disorders since the pandemic, which seems to have a particular effect on the lower intercostals and diaphragm. Anxiety can also be an important contributing factor resulting in a vicious cycle, worsening
symptoms. For example, the anxiety can lead to a flight or fight response causing raised heart rate, increased blood pressure and altered breathing patterns. These can in turn result in postural changes pain and discomfort which can all result in increased anxiety and cycle continues.

So What Can CSPC Do To Help You With Your Breathing Pattern Disorder?

At CSPC, we are skilled at assessment and treatment in this area, and there are many techniques that can be used which can help get you back to breathing to your full potential. You can expect us to do a variety of hands-on treatments to correct muscular tightness and joint malalignment around your chest, neck, back and even in other joints around the body, whatever is appropriate for you. Your physiotherapist will then be able to teach you how to breathe correctly through a short series of breathing exercises that will ideally be done twice a day. These won’t take long but will enable you to help yourself to alleviate your symptoms on a day-to-day basis.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
Over the years I have worked with a number of the physios at CSPC, I have found them to be up to date with their thinking and treatments, willing to share their knowledge with one and other and clients. I always recommend CSPC to friends and clients. They have helped hold body and soul together, thank you.

I am absolutely delighted with the shockwave treatment I have received at CSPC physiotherapy Clinic and the results it has produced. Each session has measurably reduced the size of my bursitis to the point it has almost gone, with corresponding improvement in my range of movement and comfort in the affected area. It has also ameliorated calcification in my shoulder. A great big thank you to Alison and Julianna for your help!

I cannot believe how well I feel. Four years ago, I felt consigned to the ‘rust pile’, today I feel ‘shiny’ and ready for the next challenge. CSPC can seriously alter your way of life …for the better.

Within the one hour appointment I received hands on treatment that relieved most of my pain and by the evening I was breathing and moving pain free. By the following morning I was back to ‘full dad duties’ much to the surprise of my partner, who with seeing how quickly I had recovered, started to think I’d made it all up to have a good rest!

After a long car journey to Leeds, I arrived with some discomfort in my upper back that worsened over the next day to the point that I could hardly breathe or move without feeling excruciating pain.

I’d done a gym session a week or so previously and had felt some discomfort in my back but rested and thought nothing of it. A long car journey combined with caring for two young children resulted in me having excruciating back pain and if it wasn’t for getting an emergency appointment at CSPC physiotherapy clinic I would not have made it home and probably checked myself into A&E!

Within the one hour appointment I received hands on treatment that relieved most of my pain and by the evening I was breathing and moving pain free. By the following morning I was back to ‘full dad duties’ much to the surprise of my partner, who with seeing how quickly I had recovered, started to think I’d made it all up to have a good rest!
Thanks CSPC physiotherapy for getting me back to my best – super quickly!

JACK

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