New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
If you're experiencing neck pain, you're familiar with how it limits your movement and disrupts everyday tasks. While chiropractic care at Vancouver Disc Centers addresses the structural components of neck pain, recent research suggests that breathing exercises may offer additional benefits as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine analyzed the effectiveness of breathing exercises for neck pain management. The study found that breathing exercises can help lower pain intensity and boost function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms are not fully understood, researchers believe these exercises may assist by decreasing muscle tension and pushing better posture awareness.
|Additional research targeted forward head posture, an extensive problem in today's digital age. Results displayed that combining breathing exercises with rehabilitation efforts could benefit those suffering from long-term neck pain related to this postural issue. (2) Forward head posture places more strain on neck structures, and addressing breathing patterns may help offset some of these effects.
INTEGRATING MULTIPLE TREATMENT APPROACHES
Chiropractic treatment has a documented track record of effectively addressing different types of neck problems. For example, research has reported successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy using flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Vancouver Disc Centers we often refer to it as Cox® Technic!) Breathing exercises don't take the place of these manual therapy techniques but may add to their outcomes by addressing muscle tension and movement patterns between visits.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR CARE
The evidence suggests that breathing exercises offer a safe complement to neck pain treatment. They're simple to learn and can be performed at home without special equipment. However, it's important to have realistic expectations—breathing exercises are one component of care, not a cure-all approach.
If you are curious about incorporating breathing exercises into your chiropractic treatment plan, we can talk about whether this approach makes sense for your specific condition and show you proper techniques during your next visit.
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