Diaphragmatic Breathing

PT-Helper’s initial exercise library did not include diaphragm breathing exercises when we first introduced our online exercise prescription service, CONNECT, at the American Physical Therapy Association’s CSM conference in 2016 at Anaheim, CA. While there, a few therapists asked if we included diaphragm breathing. Recognizing that we needed to expand upon our library, we have since added these exercises.

Part of our process of adding new exercises into our library includes doing a little bit of research on how these exercises should be illustrated and how they should be performed. We often stumble upon some great articles that provide excellent background on the topic. “The Role of Breathing in Physical Therapy“ : by Lily Mercer is one such article. In this article, Ms. Mercer covers the basics of respiration, breathing and the nervous system, the role of the diaphragm on breathing and postural stability, as well as breathing and musculoskeletal impairments. She concludes that incorporating breathing assessment and treatment by physical therapists can improve outcomes and lifelong recovery.

Other online resources like Coury & Buehler Physical Therapy’s blog on breathing will recommend slowly inhaling through the nose for 5 seconds and exhaling though the mouth for 5 seconds. Another resource such as the COPD Foundation’s blog recommend breathing in through the nose for 2 seconds while exhaling through pursed lips for 4-6 seconds.

Which ever breathing sequence you recommend, your patients can use PT-Helper’s mobile app to pace their breathing exercises. You can set their Hold Time to their inhaling period and their Rec (Recovery) Time to their exhaling period. Set their Reps to the number of breaths that you want them to take. By default, Hold Time is set to 2 seconds and Rec Time to 4 seconds.

• Diaphragmatic Breathing (seated) : Sit with your knees bent. Place one hand on your upper chest and your other hand on your abdomen, below your ribs. Breathe in slowly through your nose while expanding your abdomen. Your upper chest should remain as still as possible. Slowly breathe out through pursed lips while tightening your stomach muscles into your body. Repeat

• Diaphragmatic Breathing (supine): Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place one hand on your upper chest and your other hand on your abdomen, below your ribs. Breathe in slowly through your nose while expanding your abdomen. Your upper chest should remain as still as possible. Slowly breathe out through pursed lips while tightening your stomach muscles into your body. Repeat