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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?

Lung Health | Last Active: Oct 23 10:20am | Replies (3405)

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@jenniferhunter

@palmtrez123 You may want to consider if a physical problem that could be interfering with breathing mechanics. I know this because I do this myself and start using my neck and upper chest muscles to breathe when I'm having trouble. I have thoracic outlet syndrome which affects my breathing and also allergies and asthma. Breathing like this causes anxiety.

You might want to have a physical therapy evaluation, and I would recommend a PT who also has the John Barnes myofascial release training. All the ribs and muscles need to be able to expand properly which creates a vacuum that allows the lungs to expand fully. If anything impairs movement of the rib cage, it can impair breathing. I do have asthma and thoracic outlet syndrome which causes neck and chest tightness under the collar bone where the nerves are passing on their way to the lungs. There are different nerves involved in breathing for the upper and lower parts of the lungs. I am also a cervical spine surgery patient, so I have some scar tissue near this area that will tighten if I don't keep working on it. I know I have a habit of sleeping on my right side, and my body is too tight on the left, so I have been reversing this to try to stretch out my tight left side. I think our habits can contribute to things like this. Physical therapy and MFR has helped me resolve some of these problems.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is more common than doctors think it is, and most doctors don't understand it because it isn't covered well in medical schools. Sometimes they don't consider a physical problem and how that might cause symptoms. It is worth asking a physical therapist about it, and tests for it will be Doppler imaging to see if the blood supply to the arms is cut off by raising the arm or with a change of head and neck position. Neurologists can diagnose it. Usually physical therapy is recommended for TOS. Doctors who understand it are usually at interdisciplinary medical centers like Mayo and it will be listed as a condition they treat. You might find that physical therapy will help even if you don't go through a lot of diagnosis. MFR works on tight muscle and tissue all over the body and once you learn how it works, you will be able to do a lot on your own at home. The therapist will be able to feel the tight pathways through your body.

Here are some links that may be of interest. I have also included our discussion on Myofascial Release that has a lot of information on where to find information and MFR therapists.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353988
https://www.painscience.com/articles/respiration-connection.php
https://trainingandrehabilitation.com/how-truly-treat-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/

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Replies to "@palmtrez123 You may want to consider if a physical problem that could be interfering with breathing..."

Thank you Jennifer! I go to a chiropractor every week and I'll ask her if she knows someone in my area that specializes in MFR.