New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
If neck pain is affecting your daily life, you understand how it can affect your daily activities and overall quality of life. While chiropractic care at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic 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 reduce pain intensity and boost function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms aren't fully understood, researchers believe these exercises may help by reducing muscle tension and promoting better posture awareness.
|Additional research targeted forward head posture, a widespread problem in today's digital age. Results displayed that combining breathing exercises with rehabilitation efforts could benefit those suffering from long-term neck pain linked to this postural issue. (2) When your head shifts forward from its natural alignment, it puts extra stress on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, and correcting your breathing mechanics may help reduce this burden.
INTEGRATING MULTIPLE TREATMENT APPROACHES
Chiropractic care has established evidence for addressing various neck conditions. For example, research has documented successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy using flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic we often refer to it as Cox® Technic!) Breathing exercises do not take the place of these manual therapy techniques but may complement them by addressing muscle tension and movement patterns between visits.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR CARE
The evidence puts forth that adding breathing exercises to your care plan carries minimal risk. They're simple to learn and can be performed at home without special equipment. However, it's quite good to have realistic expectations—breathing exercises are one component of care, not a cure-all approach.
If breathing exercises sound like something you'd like to try, we can assess whether they're appropriate for your particular situation and show you the correct methods at your next appointment.
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