The resolution of breathing dysfunction can be pivotal to the successful treatment of chronic back and neck pain .
For example , patients with hyperventilation need to learn to breathe more slowly , reduce minute volume and restructure their relationship to dyspnoea . Patients with dynamic hyperinflation need to breathe in ways that help to maintain end expiratory lung volumes closer to normal functional residual capacity . Patients whose breathing dysfunction is associated with nasal , laryngeal and upper airway dysfunction often need localised motor and sensory training . There is also the issue of identifying and , if possible , resolving causes and factors perpetuating DB .
A full discussion of all these issues is outside the scope of this article and needs to be undertaken in structured training programs . Nevertheless , simple advice to try to maintain nasal breathing and to breathe more slowly into the abdomen and lower rib cage is often a useful starting place . Practitioners can motivate patients to work regularly and persistently with these simple instructions by explaining the importance of correct breathing and its relationship to their complaints .
There is a small but growing number of osteopaths who have undertaken advanced professional training in breathing therapy and breathing dysfunction , including some who have completed my six-month training in Integrative Breathing Therapy , to whom more complex or difficult patients can be referred .
Rosalba Courtney is an osteopath with over 45 years ’ experience as a practitioner , teacher , researcher and writer . She holds a PhD in breathing and has a deep interest in how breathing and airway function can affect health . She was a founding chairperson of the Buteyko Practitioners Association and trained practitioners in this method in Australia , the USA and UK . This led to a broad interest in breathing therapy . She is internationally recognised for her work in this field , and is widely published on this topic . She is actively involved in research , and practices in Sydney , Australia .
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