By Tami Peavy, MPT Physical Therapist
Life can be stressful. When it is, we respond by becoming ‘shallow breathers’ taking short shallow breaths without filling up the entire lung and chest cavity. We breathe using just a portion of our full lung capacity. We do this unconsciously in response to stress or even intense concentration. Unfortunately, as a result owe reduce our vital lung capacity and the amount of oxygen that is avaliable to our system including our brain. This can cause headaches, impaired alertness, and fatigue. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, all basic functions are affected including concentration and memory.
Shallow breathing can also cause weight can, or an inability to lose weight. Breathing in a shallow manner reduces metabolism and slows down the burning of fat and calories. Years of shallow breathing makes our lungs less efficient and dead space is created with inadequate ventilation. This can make you more prone to respiratory infection and make it more difficult to recover from illness.
Blowing air against resistance creates negative pressure. That pressure can inflat the distal portions of the lungs and clear out the dead space. Ballon therapy can create this resistance for you. Literally exercising your lungs and jump starting your metabolism. Check out Tami’s videos to learn more, head to westsidetoday.wpengine.com and search “breathing and weight loss”.
