Survive or Thrive, It's YOUR Choice

Oxygen is the human body's most vital resource/fuel, not only to survive but to THRIVE as well. Our body is dependent on receiving oxygen through the natural elements of air and water. The importance of quality & quantity water intake will be the topic next week. Today we will focus on breathing patterns and also provide you with an extremely beneficial breathing technique called Dynamic Rhythmic Breathing. 

First, a brief explanation of why we tend to breathe improperly and what happens within our body when proper breathing is not applied. As you know, the world we live in is very fast-paced and at times stressful - Deadlines to be met, bills to be paid, job struggles, kids to be taken to practice, Holiday & family events, etc...  With this continuous stressful fast-paced lifestyle we can easily forget to breathe properly. Our breathing becomes fast, shallow and at times we will even hold our breath or forget to breathe which obviously can cause an adverse affect in our body. This type of breathing puts the body into the "fight or flight" survival mode. What makes this even worse/detrimental is if we are unaware of our improper breathing pattern which will keep our body in a continuous "fight or flight" survival mode. This physiological response can cause Neuro-Spinal Dysfunction, which commonly leads to tight & sore muscles, headaches, poor posture, breathing difficulties, fatigue, etc.

The goal at Dynamic Chiropractic is to have our patients THRIVING with their health not just surviving. This breathing exercise can help prevent Neuro-Spinal Dysfunction which means that a patient does not require a corrective chiropractic adjustment at the time of their office visit. "Holding" adjustments is what we ultimately want for our patients so that they can continue to THRIVE in regards to their health.

Dynamic Rhythmic Breathing:

1. Get into a comfortable relaxing position by either sitting or laying on your back. Body Position is not as important as focusing on a consistent rhythm. 
2. Inhale into your belly, expanding the waist or abdomen. Breathe in through your nose AND COUNT SLOWLY to a count of four. If you have trouble with a 4-count, try a count of three. As you practice this, you'll be able to count higher.
3. Hold in the breath for the same count as you inhaled. DO NOT TRY TO HOLD LONGER.  RHYTHM IS KEY.
4. Exhale fully to the same count as you inhaled. NOTE: Sometimes you have to push the air out to empty the breath to the same count as you inhaled.
5. Hold the breath OUT for the same count as you inhaled.
6. Repeat all four steps for at least five minutes, at least twice a day (most importantly is at night-time, right before you sleep). You may do this Rhythmic breathing ANYTIME you feel stressed or anxious.

If you feel yourself panicky as you perform any step, as if you'll run out of air or not breathe soon enough, decrease your count-you're trying too hard.  This should be effortless, although it requires focused awareness.