Dysfunctional Breathing Pattern
Dysfunctional breathing patternWhat is dysfunctional breathing?Dysfunctional breathing is a term that relates to a change in your breathing pattern,from an efficient to a less efficient pattern.It is to do with the mechanics of your breathing and does not always relate to a specificlung condition.This change can feel sudden or can build up over time; there isn’t always an obvioustrigger. Some of the common triggers include: Anxiety or stress Acute illness eg chest infection, pneumonia Long term respiratory condition eg COPD, asthma Traumatic event – physical or emotional Pain – especially in abdomen or lower back Digestive issues eg reflux, hiatus herniaIf this change continues, your body can start to get used to this altered inefficientpattern without you even realising.What is efficient breathing? Subconscious and automatic process Effortless, relaxed and quiet Nose breathingSource: PhysiotherapyReference No: 6629-2Issue date: 12/10/20Review date: 12/10/23Page 1 of 7
Rhythmical, steady pattern (12 - 20 breaths per minute) Tummy movement Breath in slightly shorter than the breath out Able to talk in full sentencesIn normal breathing 70 - 80% of the work is done by the diaphragm (the main muscleof breathing which sits under the heart and lungs) and is the most energy-efficient andrelaxing way to breathe.What is inefficient breathing? Mouth breathing Short, shallow breaths Quick and erratic Noisy Raised shoulders Movement at the top of the chestWhat are the common symptoms? Breathlessness Persistent coughing Excessive yawning or sighing A feeling of not being able to take a deep breathYou may also experience symptoms that do not seem to relate to your breathingincluding dizziness, poor concentration, pins and needles, bloating, fatigue, andlethargy.What can you do about it? Window breathing Breathing control Nose breathing Understanding your triggers eg managing anxiety, reflux, pain etc.Page 2 of 7
Shoulder relaxation / postural correction Continue to stay activeYou may be referred to a respiratory physiotherapist for further management.Window breathingBreathe inBreathe outBreathe outBreathe in Place your finger on the ‘dot’ in the top left of the rectangle. As you breathe in, follow the line in the direction of the arrow to the next corner. Then breathe out along the next side. Continue around the rectangle following the instructions.This breathing technique is helpful for getting your breathing into a more rhythmicalpattern (breath in slightly shorter than your breath out).It is also very helpful as a distraction technique for when you have an episode ofbreathlessness or anxiety.Breathing control (tummy breathing)With a ‘normal’ breathing pattern you should see your tummy rising and falling as youbreathe in and out.Practicing your ‘tummy breathing’ can help to improve the effectiveness of yourbreathing and strengthen your diaphragm muscle:Page 3 of 7
1. Find somewhere comfortable to sit.2. Either sit in a reclined or upright position - withyour back well supported.3. Place a hand gently on your tummy justbeneath your ribs - don’t press too hard.4. Make sure that your breathing is as steadyand relaxed as possible - not deep breaths.5. You should feel your hand rise as you breathein and your hand lower as you breathe out these are indications that your diaphragm isworking properly.Try and practice this exercise 3 - 4 times per day for 3 - 4 minutes.Don’t practice this when you are feeling very short of breath as you will find itvery difficult.Importance of staying activeThe symptoms associated with dysfunctional breathing can be debilitating bothphysically and emotionally.Symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety can lead to inactivity andisolation.This can lead to a cycle of inactivity:Page 4 of 7
Being active can help you to: Breathe more efficiently Improve your fitness levels and your tolerance to exercise Improve your mood and emotional well-being Improve your overall quality of lifeBreathlessness and activityBreathlessness is a normal part of exerting ourselves. When we become more active,our muscles demand more oxygen from our lungs. This is achieved by: Increased breathing rate Larger breaths Increased accessory muscle work (the muscles in your neck, upper chest and ribcage) Increased movement in your upper chestHowever, if you are already breathing less efficiently (i.e. from your upper chest), youmay already be using some of these mechanisms, and therefore do not have the samereserves to draw upon.This can lead to feelings of breathlessness that seem excessive for the amount of workyou are doing.It can therefore be difficult to know how hard you should push yourself during physicalactivity. The BORG Breathlessness Scale is a useful guide (see next page).You should aim to be working at level 3 - 4Remember this will be personal to you and may differ from somebody else’s idea oflevel 3 - 4.Page 5 of 7
BORG Breathlessness ScaleLevelDescription0Nothing at all(no breathlessness at all)0.5Just noticeable(slightly breathless, but I can do this all day)1Very slight(still more than comfortable, but breathing a little harder now)2Slight(feeling good, getting a little warm, but I can hold a conversation)3Moderate(beginning to feel you’re working)4Somewhat difficult(I’m just above comfortable. A bit puffed/sweaty, but still able to hold aconversation)5Difficult(I can still talk, but I am definitely breathless and definitely hot andsweaty)6Moderately severe(I can still talk, but I don’t really want to. I am feeling very pushed)7Severe(very breathless and struggling to keep going)8Very severe(I can grunt more than talk. I can’t keep up this pace for long)9Very, very severe(Struggling to get my breath. Unable to talk. Need to stop soon!)10Maximal effort(I can’t go any further! Ready to stop/pass out!)What can physiotherapy do? Increasing awareness and education about abnormal breathing patterns Reassurance that things can improvePage 6 of 7
Learning how to use nose / mouth breathing in rest Teaching about pacing / mobilising using nasal breathing Breathing retraining in progressively taxing postures Education about proper use for medications where applicable Education about underlying respiratory diagnoses and how they affect yourbreathing pattern Further recognition of triggers Incorporating relaxation methods into everyday life Control of symptoms during an episode Manual therapy techniques Encourage and support you in staying active or increasing activity levelsResources and y departmentWest Suffolk NHS Foundation TrustHardwick Lane, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2QZTel: 01284 713300If you would like any information regarding access to the West Suffolk Hospital and itsfacilities please visit the website for AccessAble (the new name for ons/west-suffolk-nhs-foundation-trust West Suffolk NHS Foundation TrustPage 7 of 7
Page 2 of 7 Rhythmical, steady pattern (12 - 20 breaths per minute) Tummy movement Breath in slightly shorter than the breath out Able to talk in full sentences In normal breathing 70 - 80% of the work is done by the diaphragm (the main muscle of breathing which sits under the heart and lungs) and is the most energy-efficient and
that support functional and dysfunctional breathing. It introduces Dr. Courtney’s multi-dimensional "EAARS" model of breathing function and a novel "Breathing Screen." Several tools to assess and test for breathing dysfunction are also provided. Additionally, we introduce a breathing re-training exercise approach, grounded
The evaluation of breathing include several signs including breathing rate, breathing effort, motion of the chest and abdomen, breath sounds, and blood oxygenation levels. Normal breathing rates vary by age and are shown in the table. The breathing rate higher or lower than the normal range indicates the need for intervention.
Physiology of Breathing and Teaching Pranayama 5 Breathing Practices in Yoga Proper breathing techniques are an integral part of any yoga program. Proper breathing is essential to the practice of yoga as it improves focus and brings increased oxygen to the system. While doing a yoga practice, it is a general principle to breathe when the
Yoga Breathing Allowing the diaphragm to expand into the belly as you breath can stimulate the vagus nerve and help reduce stress A large component of every yoga class is controlled breathing One very effective breathing technique is Ocean (Ujjayi) breathing – narrow the back of
breathing instructions. They had participants change their breathing according to those instructions, with no hint that the breathing patterns were connected to specific emotions. The study found that the breathing patterns reliably created the emotions they were associated with, without any other emotion cue or trigger.
disorders [38,42-46]. Slow paced breathing and other pranayamic breathing techniques incorporated in yoga courses such as Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) modulate the autonomic nervous system through changes in the patterns of breathing [42,47]. Such voluntary changes in breathing have also been correlated with changes in negative
the Western world. Power Yoga is a physically challenging practice that involves yoga poses and breathing exercises with an intention to cleanse the body of toxins and negative (or destructive) emotions. Hot Yoga or Bikram Yoga includes 26 postures and two breathing exercises that are practiced in a hot room.
worts, lichens, mosses, algae and fungi also occur. CLIMATE : The abrupt variations in the altitude (elevations) have created diverse climatic conditions. The climate is warm and humid during summer and monsoon season (June Oct.) and moderately cold during winter (Dec. Feb.) at lower elevations. The winter months become more severe as one goes up. Places like Lachen, Lachung and Dzongri areas .
