Why Can’t I Take A Deep Breathe?

Have you ever tried to take a really deep breathe and felt like you just couldn’t do it? Or maybe you have tried meditating but can’t find your deep breathe.

Perhaps you have been in a yoga class and frustrated that you can’t seem to find that ocean breathing everyone else can do. Or you may even be a runner and have difficulty pushing your pace because you just can’t seem to catch your breathe.

If any of this sounds like you, then you need to read this. You will learn what is causing your difficulty with breathing, what you can do to improve your ability to take a deep breathe, AND the most commonly related problem you may already be having (that you don’t even know about – yet!).

What Is Causing This Problem?

It’s your diaphragm! Your diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that sits at the floor of your rib cage. When you contract your diaphragm your lungs expand. And, air is pulled into your lungs.

Since the diaphragm is a muscle it can get tight. And, when the diaphragm is tight it has a hard time contracting. If it can’t contract your body has a harder time pulling that air into your lungs.

Which makes it hard to take a deep breathe.

Your diaphragm is the primary muscle of breathing. That means that it is THE muscle responsible for being able to take a deep breathe. If the diaphragm is tight and not able to contract properly then you are not able to get a really deep breathe.

This can make it difficult to perform exercise correctly but it also interferes with daily activities – and may even be causing some other pain.

What Is The Most Commonly Related Problem That I May Be Having?

Neck pain and stiffness. Do you ever feel like your neck is super tight and you just can’t seem to stretch it enough? You may have even started to have stiffness that is affecting your ability to move your neck.

But, how is that related to your breathing?

Your neck is full of muscles that are “accessory” muscles of breathing. Which means that they are meant to “help” the diaphragm when it needs a boost. But, these neck muscles are much smaller than the diaphragm and have to work harder to achieve the same result.

The accessory muscles of respiration are only meant to be used in a “fight or flight” situation. Like, oh- no- I –see- a- bear- and –I- need- to- run- away type of situation. They help to lift up the upper ribs which makes more room for the lungs to expand.

However, if the diaphragm is not working correctly then the neck muscles have to kick in to help. Which overtaxes the neck muscles. So, they get tight and stiff and painful…and then your neck stops moving correctly.

Also, in our society today most of us live in fight or flight mode (me: sheepishly raises hand). Which causes the accessory muscles found in our neck to get overworked and tight.

Difficulty taking a deep breathe and neck stiffness usually go hand in hand. In fact, most of the patients we see here at Physical Therapy for everyBODY who have neck pain end up getting their diaphragm treated. Once we release the diaphragm and restore a correct breathing pattern the neck stiffness decreases.

If you have difficulty taking a deep breathe and also have neck pain/stiffness, we would love to help. We offer a Free Discovery Visit so you can come in and talk with us to find out more about your particular symptoms.

What Can You Do TODAY To Improve Your Breathing?

You need to teach your body how to take a deep breathe. Because, your diaphragm is a muscle and when you don’t use it regularly, it forgets how to work.

Do not fear! You have not “lost” your diaphragm strength. You just need to retrain it.

Here’s how:

Make sure you schedule time to practice your breathing. You may find it easiest to perform when you are in bed – either before getting up in the morning or right before you fall asleep.

Will This Work If I Have Anxiety?

YES! Deep breathing has been proven to help decrease anxiety. You will have the added benefit of changing your breathing pattern. Deep breathing consistently throughout the day helps to decrease your fight or flight response which also decreases your anxiety.

What Else Can You Do To Help Improve Your Breathing?