Support your back and neck pain by Harnessing the Power of Breath for De-Stressing

Breathing—so intrinsic, yet profoundly impactful on our well-being. It's a function we perform effortlessly, unconsciously, yet crucial for our very existence. We breathe approximately 14-16 times per minute, every hour, every day of our lives.

Recently, I stumbled upon an enlightening book by James Nestor titled "Breath". It shed light on how our breathing patterns profoundly influence our health and wellness. Surprisingly, breathing through our mouths can have adverse effects on our health, potentially leading to illness.

Breathing through our noses, however, serves as a natural filter, regulating blood pressure and heart rate. Nasal breathing also has positive implications for dental health and facial structure, contrasting with the negative impacts of mouth breathing, compounded by modern diets rich in processed foods.

Both inhalation and exhalation are crucial, exercising our diaphragm and maximizing lung capacity—essential for overall health. Deliberately slowing down our breath to about 5.5 seconds per inhale and exhale, roughly 5.5 breaths per minute, promotes blood vessel dilation and efficient oxygen exchange, benefiting circulation.

Correct breathing, often referred to as 'belly breathing', activates our parasympathetic response, fostering relaxation, healing, and optimal digestion to help reduce back and neck pain. Ancient practices like meditation, yoga, and specialized techniques such as Wim Hof breathing leverage breath control to calm the nervous system and enhance well-being.

With a few mindful breaths, we can self-regulate and de-stress effectively. Breathing clinics now offer coaching on proper breathing techniques, recognizing its profound impact on health and vitality.

One notable ancient technique is Buteyko Breathing, pioneered by Dr. Konstantin Buteyko of Russia. This method not only alleviates but also addresses the root causes of various ailments like asthma, sleep apnea, insomnia, and anxiety.

Explore our podcast featuring Dina Ceniza from The Breathe Clinic for deeper insights into the transformative power of breath and the Buteyko technique.

Take a moment now, inhale through your nose for 5.5 seconds, exhale for 5.5 seconds, repeating five times. Feel the stress dissipate as you embrace the calming power of breath.

Dr Ashleigh Tucker

Chiropractor

Health Edit Chiropractic