Learning and implementing appropriate breathing strategies is foundational to support our body’s systems.
The diaphragm & PF move together when we breathe: both lengthen (relax) during inhale and shorten (contract) with exhale.
Good breathing patterns create intra abdominal pressure to protect our spine.
Breathing can change our stress hormones through the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems. The nervous system interprets shallow breathing patterns to mean something is wrong, cueing the body to be on high alert, thus triggering the sympathetic nervous system. On the other hand, if breathing allows for good expansion of the diaphragm, the parasympathetic system is alerted and you can relax.
Breathing is intrinsically linked to your nervous system—your body has no choice but to calm down if you are breathing well.
Good breathing patterns help to promote healing & tissue repair by increasing oxygen.
Appropriate breathing strategies facilitate lateral rib expansion, which eccentrically loads the transverse abdominis (TrA)—the deepest abdominal muscle—and increases core strength and stability.
Appropriate breathing reduces the infrasternal angle of the ribs, reducing unwanted stresses to the linea albea between the rectus abdominis which can contribute to diastasis recti.
If you are not sure if you are breathing in a way that supports your overall health and wellness, make an appointment Inspire Physical Therapy today—it could make all the difference for helping you reach your health and fitness goals!
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