Abdominal breathing
James Revell from Lushington Chiropractic in Eastbourne gives a crash course in breathing correctly, and talks about how abdominal breathing can reduce stress.
Abdominal breathing is a breathing technique used to help activate all the appropriate breathing muscles in your body and can help to reduce stress. To do this technique; you push your stomach outwards when you breathe in, and inwards as you breathe out.
This helps to activate your breathing muscles; the diaphragm, abdominals and intercostal muscles. These parts of the body work in tandem together to enable maximum breathing effect.
Abdominal breathing is a natural pattern that all newborns possess. But as we age, tension and stress restrict this natural pattern to the point where some of us forget how to breathe deeply.
When this happens we become upper respiratory breathers, with this we only tend to use muscles such as the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid and scalenes. When these muscles become tight, they not only can cause headaches and pain in the shoulder area, but can also lead to an upper crossed posture as seen below.
An Upper Crossed Posture
Full expansion and contraction of the diaphragm allows fresh oxygenated blood to flow thoroughly throughout the body and helps lead to a more centred mental state. Deep breathing deactivates the stress response that instigates the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline constricts the muscles, raises blood pressure and interrupts the digestive process. The deactivation calms and relaxes the body. The shift from chronic stress to a relaxed response can heighten the production of healthy immune system cells, and boost bone repair and growth.
Correct posture for abdominal breathing
I use deep abdominal breathing myself daily whilst falling asleep, if you do this technique then your body is more likely to continue on with the same deep breathing through your sleep. Meaning that you should wake up with a lower stress level, as well as allowing your accessory muscles of respiration to relax.
A great way to practice abdominal breathing is when lying on your back with on hand on your chest and one on your belly. This way you can ensure that you have minimal chest movement throughout.
Hope you enjoyed reading and this helps you to understand the importance of abdominal breathing. If you have any questions on this then please leave me a comment and I will reply.
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