Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing involves the adequate contraction of the diaphragm while breathing in. Many people tend to overuse the muscles of the neck during respiration, which can lead to negative consequences:

 - pain in the neck and upper back due to excess muscle tension and stiffness in the spine and ribs
- a reduction in oxygen intake by the lungs due to the insufficient contraction of the diaphragm, which acts as a pump
- pain in the low back and the pelvic area resulting from a decrease in diaphragmatic contraction, which can contribute to a lack of muscular stabilization in the back and the pelvic region

A method for practicing diaphragmatic breathing:

- place the hands on the abdomen
- take a deep and slow breath through the nose while applying a light pressure on the abdomen with the hands to stimulate contraction of the diaphragm
- exhale slowly through the mouth

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3924606/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4183256/

For further information, you can contact me at 514-934-2334 ext 509.

The Thoracic Region: an area less often explored

When talking about back pain, upper and low back issues are commonly seen. Even though we do not often hear about pain in the thoracic region (the mid-back), it is nevertheless an area that plays a significant role in problems in other segments of the spine and even in the arms.

Considering the spine is a chain, issues that arise in the neck and in the low back can indeed come from the thoracic spine. A significant lack of mobility or faulty biomechanics in the thoracic zone can lead to pain and tension in the neck, the lumbopelvic area (the low back and the pelvis), the shoulders, and the arms. The fact that arm movements entail vertebral movement and muscle activity in the thoracic area demonstrates the link between these two parts of the body. Therefore, treatment of the neck, the low back, the shoulder, and the arm can involve the thoracic region.