Breathing is essential for living yet 10-30% of the population have some degree of breathing dysfunction, a reduced ability to breathe appropriately and stabilize the spine relative to the level of activity. While the process of breathing is automatic and functional for most people, dysfunctional breathing has physical and psychological health implications causing pain and a loss of performance.
Breathing dysfunction can be caused by or can cause musculoskeletal problems. An obvious presentation of dysfunctional breathing is when someone feels sharp pain in the mid back with taking in a deep breath. Coughing, sneezing, pull starting a lawn mower, or an awkward or heavy lift may sprain a rib or spinal facet joint, triggering the pain. In these cases, an injury to the thorax has caused the breathing dysfunction. Getting a stitch in the side with running is another common symptom of dysfunctional breathing. In more subtle cases, low level neck, low back and pelvic pain, tight hamstring muscles and/or incontinence may be symptoms of breathing dysfunction. Many people don’t realise that yawning, sighing, breath holding, mouth breathing, upper chest/thoracic breathing and an inability to take in a deep satisfying breath are signs of breathing dysfunction. By completing questionnaires and assessments below we can determine whether or not you have a breathing dysfunction worth addressing as part of your care plan.
Breathing Screen Questionnaire
Do you feel tense?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Do you feel a cold sensation in your hands or feet?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Do you notice yourself yawning?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Do you notice breathing through your mouth at night?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Breathing Questionnaire Scoring: Red: Score 2 or 3 on any question, Yellow: Score of 1 on any question, Green: Score of 0
Functional Residual Capacity Lung Test: Breathe out normally, pinch your nose closed and see how long you can hold your breath.
Red: < 25 Seconds Yellow: 26 – 35 Seconds Green: > 35 Seconds
Total Lung Capacity Test:
Breathe in deeply, then out deeply. Breathe in deeply a second time, pinch your nose and see how long you can hold your breath.
Red: < 35 Seconds Yellow: 36 – 60 Seconds Green: > 60 Seconds
If you pass all the breathing screen questions and tests with green scores we are 89% sure you don’t have a breathing problem. Your breathing is optimal and you likely move very well. If you get a yellow score in some components you have some breathing deficits and further assessment is recommended. Some breathing retraining should be incorporated into your care plan and activities, and your progress should be monitored. If you fail the screen, get some red scores, further assessment is definitely required. Treating your breathing dysfunction needs to be prioritized and we advise against resistance training until your breathing dysfunction has improved. If you had any yellow or red scores, make an appointment for a more in depth breathing assessment and a breathing exercise prescription. By testing we can determine the cause and degree of your breathing dysfunction. By treating, with chiropractic care and breathing exercises in the: lying down, on hands and knees, tall kneeling and standing positions we can improve breathing function. By re-testing we determine when to progress to more advance and resistance training exercise. The ultimate goal: being able to breath efficiently and stabilizing the spine while doing advanced resistance exercises. If you don’t start to see improvements within 2 weeks of doing the exercises we recommend a medical consult.
Breathing Dysfunction: How to detect and treat it
January 18, 2022 by manager • News Blog
Breathing is essential for living yet 10-30% of the population have some degree of breathing dysfunction, a reduced ability to breathe appropriately and stabilize the spine relative to the level of activity. While the process of breathing is automatic and functional for most people, dysfunctional breathing has physical and psychological health implications causing pain and a loss of performance.
Breathing dysfunction can be caused by or can cause musculoskeletal problems. An obvious presentation of dysfunctional breathing is when someone feels sharp pain in the mid back with taking in a deep breath. Coughing, sneezing, pull starting a lawn mower, or an awkward or heavy lift may sprain a rib or spinal facet joint, triggering the pain. In these cases, an injury to the thorax has caused the breathing dysfunction. Getting a stitch in the side with running is another common symptom of dysfunctional breathing. In more subtle cases, low level neck, low back and pelvic pain, tight hamstring muscles and/or incontinence may be symptoms of breathing dysfunction. Many people don’t realise that yawning, sighing, breath holding, mouth breathing, upper chest/thoracic breathing and an inability to take in a deep satisfying breath are signs of breathing dysfunction. By completing questionnaires and assessments below we can determine whether or not you have a breathing dysfunction worth addressing as part of your care plan.
Breathing Screen Questionnaire
Do you feel tense?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Do you feel a cold sensation in your hands or feet?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Do you notice yourself yawning?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Do you notice breathing through your mouth at night?
(0) never/ not true at all
(1) occasionally/ a bit true
(2) frequently/ mostly true
(3) very frequently/ very true
Breathing Questionnaire Scoring: Red: Score 2 or 3 on any question, Yellow: Score of 1 on any question, Green: Score of 0
Functional Residual Capacity Lung Test: Breathe out normally, pinch your nose closed and see how long you can hold your breath.
Red: < 25 Seconds Yellow: 26 – 35 Seconds Green: > 35 Seconds
Total Lung Capacity Test:
Breathe in deeply, then out deeply. Breathe in deeply a second time, pinch your nose and see how long you can hold your breath.
Red: < 35 Seconds Yellow: 36 – 60 Seconds Green: > 60 Seconds
If you pass all the breathing screen questions and tests with green scores we are 89% sure you don’t have a breathing problem. Your breathing is optimal and you likely move very well. If you get a yellow score in some components you have some breathing deficits and further assessment is recommended. Some breathing retraining should be incorporated into your care plan and activities, and your progress should be monitored. If you fail the screen, get some red scores, further assessment is definitely required. Treating your breathing dysfunction needs to be prioritized and we advise against resistance training until your breathing dysfunction has improved. If you had any yellow or red scores, make an appointment for a more in depth breathing assessment and a breathing exercise prescription. By testing we can determine the cause and degree of your breathing dysfunction. By treating, with chiropractic care and breathing exercises in the: lying down, on hands and knees, tall kneeling and standing positions we can improve breathing function. By re-testing we determine when to progress to more advance and resistance training exercise. The ultimate goal: being able to breath efficiently and stabilizing the spine while doing advanced resistance exercises. If you don’t start to see improvements within 2 weeks of doing the exercises we recommend a medical consult.