Posted by Dr Harley Rushton on 16 April 2013 - 10:50pm
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A Chiropractor's Tips for Good Breathing
You can live weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without air! Breathing is one of the most important functions of the human body, it supplies about 99% of our oxygen and energy and most of the time it is done automatically without you even thinking about it. But are you getting the full potential out of each breath?
You can live weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without air! Breathing is one of the most important functions of the human body, it supplies about 99% of our oxygen and energy and most of the time it is done automatically without you even thinking about it. But are you getting the full potential out of each breath?
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A quick way to tell if your breathing is ok is to take a deep breath and watch your stomach! If it goes out - then great. If it sucks in – not good, as this most likely means you are a ‘shallow breather’ and not using your diaphragm properly. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle below the lungs and above the abdomen, used for correct breathing.
Shallow breathing is where the diaphragm muscle is not properly engaged and the upper chest, neck and ‘accessory’ muscles are then used when breathing to compensate for this. This only allows minimal air to reach the lungs and the upper lobes of your lungs are primarily filled. Studies have linked this reduction in oxygen supply to anxiety and depression, heart disease, low energy, poor sleep and more.
Poor breathing is also connected with poor posture, tight neck and shoulder muscles and restricted spinal, rib and pelvis joints.
For better oxygen-blood transfusion the lower lung lobes are also needed and this requires your diaphragm muscle to contract, pulling your lungs down and open, sucking more air in. A healthy functioning spine is also important to allow maximum expansion of the rib cage with each breath. Many studies have proved the link between Chiropractic adjustments and improved chest expansion and breath volume.
Try standing in front of the mirror and remember, each time you breath in you should see you stomach push outwards and your shoulders and chest should not move much at all. Practice with your hand on your stomach until this optimal way of breathing is programmed in!
Happy breathing!
Dr Harley Rushton B.Chiro