Breathing for Pain Relief

Most of us breathe far too shallowly, hardly using the huge capacity of our lungs. This is especially true when we are sitting looking at the computer or television. When you breathe shallowly, into the top of your chest, your brain becomes starved of oxygen. As a result, your pain levels may rise, you may also become tense and have a headache or other symptoms.

Deeper breathing has many positive effects. It can:

Relax your muscles.
Feed and regenerate all the cells of your body with oxygen.
Rid your body of impurities more efficiently.
Encourage the production of endorphins - your body's own feelgood agents.
Calm your mind.
Best of all - it's the key to pain relief.

Check your breathing right now!

Put one hand on your chest.
Put the other between the bottom of your rib cage and your abdomen (this is your diaphragm).
Just let your hands rest there for a few moments.
Notice which hand moves the most.

For the most efficient breathing which will help to give you pain and stress relief, your lower hand over your diaphragm should move the most. This is diaphragmatic breathing.

Breathing Breaks

Take breathing breaks for a few minutes throughout the day, especially whilst at your computer or when watching television.
Don't force your breathing, take gentle, normal breaths deep down into your abdomen.
As you breathe out, say slowly to yourself: "Relax..."
Really feel yourself relaxing and letting go of stress, tension and pain.

Take your attention to the place that hurts.
As you breathe, on the out-breath, breathe gently out through the place that hurts. This helps to relieve the pain.

Your breath is always with you, use it!