Breathing is essential, yet it’s easy to overlook the intricate relationship breathing has with posture and overall well-being. Let’s explore how breathing affects your posture and ways chiropractic care can improve deep breathing and your health and vitality.
The posture-breathing connection
Most people breathe with their upper chest, leading to shallow breaths and insufficient oxygen intake. Shallow breathing can lead to various posture concerns, including a slouched position causing tension in the chest and shoulders. Improper breathing can also lead to an increased spinal curvature that affects one’s appearance and can lead to chronic pain and discomfort.
However, diaphragmatic breathing—a technique that engages the diaphragm—allows for deeper more efficient breaths. Deep breathing promotes relaxation, enhances oxygen flow to the body and leads to a more “natural” posture.
More specifically, breathing deeply causes our diaphragm to contract, allowing our lungs to expand and fill with oxygen. Deep breathing promotes a more aligned posture and encourages us to engage our core muscles and maintain an upright position.
The role of chiropractic care
The good news is chiropractic care and practicing deep breathing can help! We’ve reviewed how breathing affects your posture with shallow breaths, now let’s look at ways chiropractic and deep breathing have positive effects.
Firstly, a safe and natural chiropractic adjustment enhances spinal function, thereby improving nerve function and increasing respiratory efficiency. Next, adjustments alleviate tension in the chest and shoulder muscles, promoting better postural alignment and facilitating deeper breaths.
Finally, your chiropractor will review and work with you to develop proper breathing techniques to help improve your posture.
Other benefits of deep breathing
Besides improving posture, deep breathing increases oxygen supply, enhancing energy levels and cognitive function. It also activates the body’s relaxation response, reducing levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
And by promoting better oxygenation and blood flow, deep breathing supports cardiovascular health and better circulation.
Summary
Now that you know more about how breathing affects your posture, contact Advantage Chiropractic Clinic in Auburn. Our caring and knowledgeable team will help you start your journey to better health and living. Keep reading our blogs for more chiropractic benefits and health tips.