Breathing is something we all do naturally and most of us do not think much about it when we exercise – we all know that we are meant to get out of puff when we are working hard!
However, new research has shown that changing the way we breathe can have a great effect on how we perform. By practicing techniques that respiratory physiotherapists have used with patients for years, we can all gain improvements.
Symptoms of hyperventilation and dysfunctional breathing includes chest tightness, wheezing, tingling fingers and dizziness. Both of these problems can be rectified by breathing retraining either through self-help methods or under the care of a suitably qualified respiratory physiotherapist.
How to Prevent Bad Breathing
Recognise the triggers – is it food, medication or pain? Is it fluctuating hormone levels in ladies, stress, anxiety, or low mood?
Practice Nose Breathing – breath in through your nose and out through your nose. Breathing through your nose means that the air is filtered, heated and humidified as it passes through your nose and allows chemicals to be released that help to open airways. As you are breathing against more resistance, your diaphragmatic muscles are working harder over your accessory muscles (the ones up near your shoulder and neck). This way your diaphragm becomes stronger and more efficient.
Breathing is something we all do naturally and most of us do not think much about it when we exercise – we all know that we are meant to get out of puff when we are working hard!
However, new research has shown that changing the way we breathe can have a great effect on how we perform. By practicing techniques that respiratory physiotherapists have used with patients for years, we can all gain improvements.
Symptoms of hyperventilation and dysfunctional breathing includes chest tightness, wheezing, tingling fingers and dizziness. Both of these problems can be rectified by breathing retraining either through self-help methods or under the care of a suitably qualified respiratory physiotherapist.
How to Prevent Bad Breathing
- Recognise the triggers – is it food, medication or pain? Is it fluctuating hormone levels in ladies, stress, anxiety, or low mood?
- Practice Nose Breathing – breath in through your nose and out through your nose. Breathing through your nose means that the air is filtered, heated and humidified as it passes through your nose and allows chemicals to be released that help to open airways. As you are breathing against more resistance, your diaphragmatic muscles are working harder over your accessory muscles (the ones up near your shoulder and neck). This way your diaphragm becomes stronger and more efficient.
- Contact your physiotherapist who can carry out various other techniques to help you improve your breathing.