Unlocking the Power of Proper Breathing

Most of us don’t realize what we have until we lose it. Just like a fish is the last to discover water—a metaphor suggesting we often fail to notice the environment we are deeply immersed in because it feels like our normal reality.

Shortness of breath should not be the norm. Snoring at night should not be the norm. But as the saying goes, “When everyone is sick, we no longer consider it a disease.” – Naval Ravikant.

At Neuro Muscle Works, we understand that something as simple as breathing can transform your health. Using our Hypertonic Anatomy Model (HAM), we focus on neuromuscular inhibition and how it contributes to the symptoms many people experience daily. One key muscle that plays a crucial role in breathing and overall balance is the diaphragm.

The Diaphragm: Function and Importance

The diaphragm’s dome-shaped movement is vital for drawing air into the lungs. It is intricately connected to the vagus nerve, a major player in regulating and calming the body.

We are talking about a muscle that has been actively working—whether you’re conscious of it or not—as early as eight weeks of gestation (although fetal breathing movements at this stage are not for actual respiration, as oxygen comes from the placenta). From that point until the end of our lives, we take an average of 20,000 breaths per day.

Yet, most people never think about their diaphragm—until it starts causing problems.

Manual Therapy and the Vagus Nerve

Through manual therapy, we can help the vagus nerve by applying pressure to specific points, such as under the ribcage, which stimulates the body's natural calming responses.

Unfortunately, abdominal work is rarely considered in bodywork. Most people would never think of the abdomen as an area that needs treatment. However, restrictions in the diaphragm can be linked to dysfunction in nearly every major joint in the body.

Recognizing Diaphragmatic Issues

Many of us don’t realize we have a hypertonic diaphragm because our bodies compensate by relying on chest or upper trapezius breathing. These compensations often go unnoticed for years—until other areas of the body begin to break down.

By recognizing and addressing diaphragmatic dysfunction early, we can prevent long-term issues and improve breathing efficiency, posture, and movement patterns.

Breathing Exercises for Balance

A 2017 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that slow-paced breathing enhances vagal tone and autonomic function. Additionally, research published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews shows that controlled exhalation downregulates amygdala activity, reducing emotional stress.

Try this simple yet effective exercise:

• Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.

• Exhale through your nose for 6 seconds.

This technique—six breaths per minute—is an easy way to enhance breathing efficiency, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

Take Action Today!

If you’ve never had your diaphragm addressed, now is the perfect time to explore this essential muscle.

For returning patients, if you haven’t worked on your diaphragm yet, this could be the missing piece in your recovery. For new patients, addressing the diaphragm may unlock solutions to hidden dysfunctions that have gone unnoticed for years.

Book today and let’s help you breathe better—not just for now, but for the many breaths you have left.