Dysfunctional Breathing
BeachLife Physio • 23 April 2020
What is Dysfunctional Breathing?
Is there a correct way to breathe?
Technically, yes. It is called diaphragmatic breathing, which simply means that we should actively use our diaphragm.
Why is correct breathing so important?
When you are using your diaphragm correctly, just like any other muscle it will strengthen over time. Once strong, it can do its job as the most important muscle during inhalation, and other muscles around the neck/shoulders will not need to do as much work. It also means that you are utilising the entire lung space, and full body oxygen supply can occur.
What does dysfunctional breathing look like?
Fast, shallow, upper chest breathing, often through the mouth, among other symptoms.
- Try this exercise - lying down in a comfortable position, place one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach, take a breath in and see if your chest or your stomach hand rises first ('chest breathers will see the chest hand rise first and 'belly breathers will see the opposite).
Can pain cause dysfunctional breathing?
Yes, when we experience pain, our breathing pattern changes. Think about the time when you stubbed your toe on the concrete, there was that quick indrawing of breath followed by a breath hold, then slightly laboured breathing as your whole-body tenses. This kind of dysfunctional breathing may only last for a short time, but there are certainly other conditions, injuries, weakness, that mean a person will adopt a longer term dysfunctional/upper chest breathing pattern.
Can dysfunctional breathing cause pain?
Yes, it can cause a number of issues within the body. The diaphragm is part of your deep core muscles, think of it like the lid on top of a cylinder. If it is not working properly, the deep core as a whole will be weaker and therefore leaving someone more susceptible to lower back injuries. Also, when the diaphragm is not doing its job, the neck/shoulders will overwork during breathing and become overused, leading to pain.
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