Day 10

In the second day of my treatment plan we continued with chiropractic manipulations of the TL junction and mobilization of the foot, but we also got into breathing and core. Justin evaluated my breathing which basically consisted of me laying on my back with my knees and feet elevated and ribs compressed. He then placed his hands on different parts of my abdomen and asked me to push his fingers out with proper breathing. I know it may seem odd to most, but when you take a breath, it is actually your abdomen all the way down to your pelvic floor that should be expanding, not your rib cage. This type of movement is only possible if you have a properly functioning diaphragm and a strong core.

So why is proper breathing important? Well this is impossible to sum up in one post, so I will hit on some key factors.

1)When you allow yourself to breath with your diaphragm, it presses down into your abdominal cavity. If this is countered by contraction of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, then you have successfully created a compact and secure band around your waist. This is your natural weightlifting belt! with proper diaphragmatic breathing and stabilization you can pretty quickly say goodbye to back pain and stability issues.

2) By holding the ribs down with the the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, it creates a stable base out of your ribs. Other muscles that originate on the ribs are then performing their actions on solid ground rather than on a wobbly raft. So the serratus anterior can now function to hold down the scapula with less difficulty and you can start to say bye to shoulder instability!

3) Every time you perform a full breath cycle diaphragmatically, you extend at the TL junction and flex at the LS junction as well as moving each joint in between. The intervertebral discs are nourished through immbibition, a physical suctioning in of nutrients that requires this motion. So essentially, with proper breathing mechanics, every breath acts to nourish the disc. And with this you can start to prevent degenerative disc disease.

This is just one of the many powerful outcomes I have been privy to while under routine care from a doctor of chiropractic medicine. Small changes that create widespread positive results!