Breathing is something we do without thinking, it just happens, which is so amazing, but if we stop breathing we die, right so it is important and our amazing body will find any way to keep us breathing and alive.
Which means our body will create patterns of breath in the short term for our survival due to injuries or stress that become long term patterns, unfortunately means less oxygen and energy into our body long term, so creates more stress at a cellular level causing more pain and keeps us going downhill rather than recovering. So how can breathing help relieve pain, well we have to become aware of how we breathe, what areas of our body moves on the in breath and out breath, what areas don’t move. So just take a few moments to do this for yourself right now, you can place your hands on chest or belly and see where your breath goes in your body. See how deep you can take it, how shallow it is, if it’s hard to focus or notice how you breathe, do you breathe in through your nose or is it easier through the mouth? Just take some breaths in thought the nose and out through your mouth about 10 times and see if you can go deeper on each breath. Notice how you feel after. There is no right or wrong in how you breathe, however there is a way to improve it that allows better function and more energy which can relive pain. When we have pain it’s a request for change, also if the breath doesn’t move the diaphragm downwards into the belly, creating expansion there (I know many of you are like got to keep my belly in and tight) then your organs are not gaining the movement they need to function, your digestive system, kidneys and liver are all supposed to be moved on in each breath in downwards with belly outwards and each breath out inwards and upwards 3-5 cm on every breath. Just like how babies breathe, until they learn to hold on to stress. So most of you are going I can’t breathe like that, that’s hard work. I used to practice breathing like that and I agree it’s hard work and breathing isn’t supposed to be hard work or take any extra attention. Until I got my diaphragm unlocked, well that’s what it felt like. So how did that happen by using this technique I am going to share here, on part of it to help you right now. You have your ribcage, think of it as an X, a curvy x, the edge of your lower ribs on each side are the bottom part of the x, in-between your pectorals, breasts the sternum is the middle part and then under the collar bones (clavicles) the top of the x. What you are going to do is rub very lightly with your fingers or pad of a finger, just moving the skin starting from the top edge of your ribs on either side, going up the middle of your chest, sternum and then along the collar bones, spend 30 seconds on each area. You can spend longer if you feel a tender spot, just be light and soft with your rubbing, no force. After you’ve done that bring your awareness to your breath, see if it is any easier, deeper into your belly, then take 10 deep breaths into the belly only, nothing in your chest and exhale out through your mouth. If nothing has changed in your breathing, try rubbing the sternum lightly as you breathe, or you can find your telly tubby point which is the crown of your head, draw a line up from the middle of your ears to the very top of your head-crown and place a finger lightly there and then breathe into your belly nothing in your chest and out through your mouth for 10 breaths getting deeper on each in breath. Then notice how you feel, there should be some positive changes, mind quieter, easier to breathe, a decrease in pain, better digestion. How does shifting your breath reduce the pain, the deeper breath provides more oxygen supply to your cells thus can reduce areas of tension that cause a pain signal, more oxygen to your nerves that carry the pain signals, creates less tension in your muscles, moves your breathing from stress to relaxation - sympathetic to parasympathetic which aids your digestion, helps your lymph to drain. This is not the only area in the body to be stimulated by gentle touch that can help shift the breath to reduce pain. Our body creates compensations through stress, trauma, injury, comfortable habits which eventually hinders on our wellbeing and organ functions. If you would like to learn more on how to help yourself please do get in touch with me, Emily [email protected] or call me 07813798643, book me for treatments, talks -demos and workshops. Breath is for life and the quality can make all the difference in pain and wellbeing. |
Em
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26/2/2020
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