Did you know that focused breathing can help you relax? It can also help with back pain.
Most people breathe with only the top of their chest or the bottom and some only belly-breathe.
It turns out that you can move ALL of the chest and abdomen when inhaling and exhaling.
Part one: I find this easiest when I’m on my back. You may even notice your ribs connecting more with the surface you’re laying on when you do this.
To check if you’re moving the whole chest and abdomen, place one hand on your belly and one on your breastbone. After you’ve mastered that…
Part two: When you inhale, move your ribs out to the side. 
This takes some concentration but you can do it!
This takes some concentration but you can do it!Tips:
Before you start, put yourself in a comfortable position, on your back if you can. If it’s more comfortable, place a pillow behind your knees.
Place a comfortable neck roll (make one yourself with a washcloth or anything, rolled up) behind your neck. Place a pillow behind your head, as flat as is comfortable (flatter the better.)
When you’re breathing, you’re moving ALL of the muscles around your neck, shoulders, spine, chest and ribs.
You can practice for several minutes or as long as you’re comfortable.
Part three: This takes some imagination. As you’re inhaling, see in your mind, or imagine, that your breath is going all the way down through your legs to your feet.
And that’s how you breathe with your whole body!
Breathing like this can help with muscle tightness in the upper body and with back pain. It also helps with relaxation.
Just breathe.
One reply on “Breathing for Pain Relief and Relaxation. Want to Breathe with Your Whole Body?”
[…] way to help your back relax is to breathe. Breathing uses all of the muscles around your rib cage and […]