Rhonda Cowern, DPT, Physical Therapist
Call Us Today: 1-435-210-1985

Relax . . . take a deep breath

Relax . . . take a deep breath

Breathing happens whether you think about it or not. However, with some focused attention and education breathing will not only oxygenate your tissue but improve stability, mobility, and decrease painful symptoms. Our lungs and tissue surrounding them are all interconnected with fascia. Fascia is a thin sheath of fibrous tissue enclosing a muscle or other organ. I describe fascia to patients as the glue in our body that holds skin to muscles and muscles to our bones. When this fascia has been altered by trauma including surgery, and/or poor postural habits, our internal glue may be working too well. These fascial adhesions can cause restrictions in your range of motion, posture, and affect daily and recreational activities. Fascia within the torso connects muscles, bones, and tissue from your diaphragm and all the way down to your pelvic floor muscles.

Breathe easier at Moab Physical TherapyYour diaphragm is the main muscle activated when you inhale and its elastic recoil helps you exhale. With proper education, your breath can activate this fascial highway to promote improved blood flow and stability with some simple breathing techniques. I call this three-dimensional breathing. This 3-D breathing encourages us to fill our upper chest, our lungs, and our abdominal muscles down into our pelvic floor fascia simultaneously. This stability improves your seated and standing posture to increase, for example, the duration you can hike pain free. This fascial stability, when activated, can improve core stability while on a bike or running down the trail, as well as the power to lift more weight overhead properly.

Get the treatment you deserve at Moab Physical TherapyIf you sit quietly in a chair with one hand on your chest and one hand on your ‘tummy’ and breathe normally — What do you feel? Does your chest rise more? Does your ‘tummy’ move more? If you feel equal pressure during inhalation and equal recoil during exhalation in both areas under your hands – that is a great start. A 3-D breath will incorporate breathing from top to bottom, side to side, and front to back to ‘fill’ or activate the fascia in all these areas equally during rest or activity. If you are interested in improving your oxygenation, stability, mobility, circulation, and relaxation then join us for a FREE breathing clinic.

Our FREE breathing clinic will be held at ‘The Gym on 5th” located on the corner of 500 West and 400 North. This FREE clinic is onThursday, August 24th at 6:30 p.m. and should last about 45 minutes. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows breathing. If you have any questions about this article or about our FREE breathing clinic please call Moab Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation located at 83 E Center (435) 210-1985. **SPACE is limited, please call to reserve a spot. If you would prefer one-on-one instruction in 3-D breath please call our clinic and schedule a physical therapy evaluation to incorporate breathing and improve participation in ALL the activities you enjoy!

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