Can something as simple as breathing help my neck stiffness?

Diaphragmatic breathing.

The diaphragm is the most efficient muscle of breathing. it is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. Your abdominal muscles help move the diaphragm and give you more power to empty your lungs. However; when your lungs become compromised to do any lung condition or habit the neck and chest muscles must then assume an aincreased share of the work of breathing. This can leaver the diaphragm weakened and flattened, causing it to work less efficiently.

Diaphragmatic breathingis intended to help you use the diaphragm correctly while breathing to:

• Strengthen the diaphragm
• Decrease the work of breathing by slwoing your breathing rate
• Decrease the oxygen demand
• Use less effort and energy to breathe

Diaphragmatic breathing technique:

1. Lie on your back on a flat surface or in bed, with your knees bent and your head supported. You can use  apillow under your knees to support your legs. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. THis willa llow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe.

2. Breathe slowly through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain as still as possible.

3. Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips. The hand on your upper chest must remain as still as possible.

When you first learn diaphragmatic breathing technique, it may be easier for you to follow the instructions lying down. As you gain more practice, you can try the diaphragmatic breathing technique while sitting in a chair.

To perform this exercise while in a chair:

1. Sit comfortably, iwth your knees bent and your shoulders, head and neck relaxed.

2. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm as you breathe.

3. Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips. The hand on your upper chest must remain as still as possible.

Note: You may notice an increased effort will be needed to use the diaphragm correctly. At first, you’ll  probably get tired while doing this exercise. But keep at it, because with continued practice, diphragmatic breathing will become easy and automatic.

How often should I practice this exercise?
At first, practice this exercise 5-10 minutes about 3-4 times/day. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend doing this exercise, and perhaps even increase the effort of the exercise by placing a book on your abdomen.

Oh my aching back! Oh my aching shoulders! Oh my aching knees! I’m sooo tired all the time!!

Is this you? Do you have more joints with aches and pains than joints that feel good? Are you wondering if you are getting sick? Getting old? Have you tried everything for your fatigue and aching joints and nothing is working? You could have something as simple as a mild food allergy. We have all heard of the severe allergies people have to things such as peanuts, or shellfish. People who have an allergy to these items know it. But a mild food allergy can cause mild systemic symptoms that can build up over time, causing a chronic inflammatory environment. Any time you have inflammation your body is going to be under increased physical stress. It is this stress that may be causing the symptoms you are feeling. In today’s society, our food has become so processed that most people have a food sensitivity of one sort or another, whether they know it or not. Wheat, soy and dairy are some of the most common culprits, but there are many other known foods and food additives that can cause an allergic response.

An allergic response is a systemic (throughout your whole body) that can contribute to many symptoms, one of which being body aches and pains. Other symptoms include, but are not limited to; headaches or migraines, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems including bloating and loose stools, dizziness, nausea and a general unwell feeling.  Also, different foods can cause different symptoms. See below:
Headaches: wheat, chocolate, food coloring
Migraine Headaches: Alcohol, cheese, chocolate, nuts, wheat, citrus fruits, tomatoes, MSG, nitrates, eggs, milk. food coloring
Hay Fever: Milk, wheat, nuts, chocolate, colas, sulfites
Hives: Strawberries, tomatoes, chocolate, eggs, shellfish, mangos, pork, nuts.
Childhood Allergies: Milk, wheat, eggs, artificial colors/flavors, peanuts, salicylates, (less common) rye, beef, fish.
Eczema: Eggs, citrus fruits, tomatoes.
Asthma: Wheat, eggs.
Cerebral Symptoms: (affecting energy, emotions, and pysche): Milk, soybeans, corn, and wheat.
(from: Haas, Elson M. Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Celestial Arts: Berkely, CA, 1992, p. 874)

Here at Elixia Wellness Group, we offer a comprehensive allergy test.  A simple, easy to read print out with your most sensitive foods and allergens along with diet recommendations will be provided. We will then give you a detailed explanation of all the results and if requested, create a tailor made diet plan.

So if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, come for your Personal antibody assessment for common allergen exposure test today!~  For more information call us at (503) 232-5653