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Diane Manhattan
Breathing Techniques
What could be so hard about breathing? You breathe in. You breathe out. It seems so simple. Yet, take a look at an IC patient in pain (or someone having a panic attack) and you'll find that they aren't breathing properly. They are breathing shallowly and could be hyperventilating. Dysfunctional breathing can cause a rapid heart rate and increase in blood pressure. It can cause weakness and is a contributing factor in anxiety and panic attacks.
Disciplined, relaxed breathing results in better air flow and oxygen intake. The cardiovascular system is enhanced, blood is more oxygenated, nerves are calm and controlled.
The core of mind body medicine, martial arts is slow, controlled and disciplined breathing. By learning a variety of breathing techniques , you can learn to increase stressful situations, control fears, feel in control and take charge of your life.
There are four different types of breathing techniques, High breathing, Low breathing, Middle breathing, and Complete breath.
High breathing refers to what takes place primarily in the upper part of the chest and lungs. This has been called "clavicular breathing" or "collarbone breathing". It's a common cause of digestive, stomach, constipation and gynecological problems. I
Low breathing refers to what takes place primarily in the lower part of the chest and lungs. It is far more effective than high or mid breathing. It is also known as "diaphragmic breathing."
Middle breathing is a little harder to describe since the limits of variability are more indefinite. Yet it is breathing in which mainly the middle parts of the lungs are filled with air.
Complete Breath as defined by yoga, involves the entire respiratory system and not only includes the portions of the lungs used in high, low and middle breathing, but expands the lungs so as to take in more air than the amounts inhaled by all of these three kinds of breathing together.
Learning to Breathe Correctly can have many benefits in your overall health. It can simulate sleep, meditation, and concentration and develop correct posture.
This section of the ICN Patient Handbook is intended to be an informational tool only. Because this chapter discusses alternative methods, they may not have been approved or investigated by any regulatory or government agency. The content is not to be intended in any way to be a substitute for professional medical advise. Always seek the advise of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding this section of the ICN Patient Handbook.
The ICN follows the HonCode: Health Code of Conduct for Medical Web Sites. As such, we do not and cannot recommend any books or materials which offer herbal strategies, yet offer no research supporting those claims