Functional Breathing
The Relationship Between Osteopathy and Breathing
The connection between osteopathy and proper breathing is essential, as breathing directly impacts overall health, mobility, and bodily function. Osteopathy focuses on restoring balance and mobility within the body, and breathing plays a crucial role in this process.
Breathing and Body Mobility
Proper breathing requires smooth cooperation between the ribs, diaphragm, spine, surrounding muscles and organs in the chest and abdominal cavity. Limitations in these structures, such as tension in the diaphragm, stuck ribs or limited mobility of the chest, for example, can lead to shallow and inefficient breathing. Osteopathy helps these structures move more freely, enabling effective, functional breathing.
Impact on the nervous system and stress regulation
Calm, diaphragmatic breathing affects the parasympathetic nervous system, which, among other things, causes relaxation and lowers stress hormones. When a person breathes chronically tense (e.g. high in the chest or with rapid breathing), it can overactivate the sympathetic nervous system, contributing to stress, anxiety and tension. Osteopathic treatments can help reduce tension in the neck, chest and diaphragm, creating a calmer and more efficient breathing pattern.
Improving Oxygen Uptake and Circulation
Optimal breathing improves oxygen uptake and circulation, which is essential for the body’s cell metabolism and repair process. By relieving blockages and tension in the respiratory muscles, an osteopath can help improve breathing and optimise blood flow. This is not only beneficial for sports performance, but also for general energy and vitality.
Link to Chronic Complaints
Many chronic complaints, such as headaches, neck and back pain, fatigue and even digestive problems, can be linked to disturbed breathing patterns. Osteopathy looks at the whole body to find and treat the underlying causes of breathing problems, for example tensions in the abdominal cavity, adhesions after operations or imbalances in the spine.
Posture and stability
Good breathing supports posture and stability of the spine. The diaphragm works closely with the deep postural muscles and the pelvic floor, playing an important role in stabilisation and injury prevention. Osteopathy can help restore functional breathing to improve posture and movement quality.
Sleep
Osteopathy, breathing and sleep are closely linked. Functional breathing supports deeper and more restorative sleep, while osteopathy can help lift physical restrictions and tensions that impede proper breathing and sleep. When breathing and sleep are not optimal, symptoms such as fatigue, stress, pain and reduced performance can occur. Disturbed breathing can lead to sleep disorders such as snoring, sleep apnoea and insomnia. Chronic hyperventilation or incorrect breathing can reduce oxygen supply, leading to restless sleep and frequent waking. Poor sleep quality can lead to fatigue, stress, hormonal imbalance and an increased risk of pain symptoms. Osteopathie helpt niet alleen bij de fysieke oorzaken van slaapstoornissen, maar ook bij het creëren van een optimale balans in het lichaam. Good breathing and restorative sleep are essential for health and well-being. Osteopathy plays an important role in optimising both by addressing tensions, movement restrictions and imbalances in the body. By improving breathing, promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system, osteopathy can contribute to deeper, better sleep and an overall sense of vitality.
Conclusion
Osteopathy and proper breathing are inextricably linked. By optimising the mobility of the ribs, spine and diaphragm, osteopathy helps promote efficient breathing. This contributes to better oxygen uptake, relaxation, improved (cognitive) performance and the reduction of chronic complaints. An osteopathic approach can therefore be a valuable addition for anyone who wants to improve his/her breathing and overall well-being.
