Understanding the Different Breathing Options

This post was originally published on https://drlaurenkeller.com/understanding-the-different-breathing-options/ and has been formatted for this blog with the author’s permission.

When researching pregnancy and postpartum breathing as well as proper breathing when lifting, we run across three main types of breathing- abdominal hallowing, piston breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing. Each have their pros and cons and which is why understanding the different breathing options is an important aspect in knowing WHY we are doing something (#knowbetterdobetter).

Breathing matters because the breath is the key to a strong and stable core and body is the ability to create pressure, specifically intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), within the abdomen. IAP is fundamental in the initiation, control and prevention of movement.

Want the science on why Intra-Abdominal pressure is a GOOD thing, check the previous blog post, “For the love of all things good, stop sucking in.”

Abdominal hallowing was previously mentioned in this blog but here’s a quick breakdown…

Pros:

• Activates the transverse abdominis
• 
  

Cons:

• Isolates the transverse abdominis through concentric contraction and separates the diaphragm and pelvic floor
• Inhibits activation of abdominal oblique musculature
• Sub-optimally strengthens the abdominal musculature through concentric contraction
• Creates oblique position of diaphragm and pelvic floor (see consequences of less than optimal breathing below)
• Not replicated in any functional movement

Pros:

• Helps one connect with the pelvic floor
• A great start: more beneficial long-term than abdominal hallowing and chest breathing as it focuses on trying to connect the diaphragm and pelvic floor
• Focuses on proper posture/alignment as well as breathing
• Pulls the breath out of the chest and into the belly, which is where one wants/needs to breath

Cons:

• Piston breathing implies unidirectional pressure with tight sides…when taught it typically includes something along the lines of “we quickly and forcefully draw the breath into the belly”

• This is not functional as one does not isometrically contract to breathe and move throughout the day
• The breath should never be “forceful”
• The pelvic floor and diaphragm should never be working separate of the abdominal musculature as this can create additional dysfunction
  

• One does not want to tighten the abdominal musculature in preparation of the inhalation as this separates the co-contraction activation that should occur
• The breath should create an eccentric activation of the abdominal muscles which then allows the muscles to tighten/loosen as they need in order to regulate the internal pressure

Pros:

• The diaphragm, all abdominal musculature and the pelvic floor co-contract in coordination to create appropriate intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)
• IAP is what gives one strength and stabilizes the core to protect the spine from injury
• Coordinated co-contraction keeps the pelvic floor, diaphragm and musculature working in unison, which is the basis for optimal breathing (see below consequences of less than optimal breathing) (6, 7)
• Optimal movements – if you want to strengthen the glute med you would pick a single-leg deadlift over a clam shell, the diaphragm is no different
• Creates 360 degrees of expansion to stabilize the abdominal musculature, back musculature and pelvic floor
• Focuses on proper posture in both standing and seated position (4, 5, 13)
• Replicated in day-to-day function

Cons:

• It may initially feel forced until the proper breathing patterns are learned

• The goal is to make the breath more automatic/reflexive and a habit…when initially learning to do diaphragmatic breathing, it may feel a little forced as one is not accustomed to breathing in this manner and it takes time to train the proper breathing mechanics
• It may be difficult to learn due to compensation that has been trained throughout the years

• One way to help learn the breathing easier is to utilize the Core360 belt which helps one activate their core correctly and consistently

Less than optimal breathing often leads to a functional cascade of complications/pain or faulty movement patterns. Some of those consequences include:

1. Oblique position of diaphragm & pelvic floor which can create/may lead to:The negative effects of dysfunctional breathing include an anteverted pelvis, increased lumbar lordosis, hyperactive erectors, diastasis recti, and urinary incontinence.
• Increased lumbar lordosis and increased intra-fiscal pressure: more likely to ave back pain or disc injury, chronic back tightness and hyperactivity of lumbar erectors
• Lumbopelvic and hip instability : hamstring pain with bending and sitting, trigger points in low back, buttock and upper hamstring (14, 15, 16)
• Anteverted pelvis: can lead to butt-wink in squat (8, 9, 10)
• Poor thoracic extension and scapular stability: more likely to have shoulder and upper back/neck pain
2. Non-coordinated co-contraction of diaphragm, pelvic floor and abdominal musculature:Weak abdominals: the abdominal wall does not offer resistance to the diaphragm contraction which does not allow for appropriate IAP
• Tight abdominals: the abdominal wall is too tight and the diaphragm and lower ribs cannot move downward to create ideal diaphragm activation and IAP
3. Secondary effects:
• Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary/fecal incontinence (3, 11)
• Often caused by a lack of tonic support and muscular strength of the pelvic floor, core and surrounding pelvic girdle musculature (1)
• Increased risk of diastasis recti
• Increased risk of disc herniation (14, 15)
• Upper back and neck pain (18)

1. Improves core stability
• Coordinates and strengthens all components of the deep core musculature – pelvic floor muscles, transverse abdominals, multifidi, and diaphragm (2)
• Contracting the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure and generates a co-contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (pubococcygeus, puborectalis, and iliococcygeus) and transverse abdomens (17)
2. Decreased neck and shoulder pain (21)
• Improved function of Sternocleidomastoid muscle which may decrease ringing in the ear (19)
• Decreased use of pectoralis and scalenes which are commonly recruited in faulty breathing patterns (20)
3. Improved ventilation of the lungs (22, 23)
• Increasing the inspiratory volume naturally increases the level of oxygen in the blood
• Maximize the diaphragm’s efficiency in performing breathing activity

Lauren Keller, DC, DABCA
BIRTHFIT Chicago: Western Suburbs
Instagram: @birthfit_chicago_western_burbs
Facebook: @birthfitchicago

References:

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