Good breathing has a profound effect on our health. Even though most people agree with this statement very few people know how breathing effects our body chemistry and that in order to breathe well it is necessary to regulate our breathing chemistry.
It is quite common to “over breathe” which results in expiring too much carbon dioxide (CO2). This results in loss of carbon dioxide in our blood system called hypocapnia. It further creates an increase in pH in our bodies, called alkalosis.
This can result in smooth muscle contraction, hypoxia (decreased oxygen), decreased blood flow to the brain, coronary artery constriction, brain blood glucose deficit, buffer depletion (bicarbonates), bronchial constriction, gut constriction, and muscle fatigue/spasm.
Some symptoms people may experience from over-breathing are:
Breathing well is all about optimizing your body’s chemistry in various situations. It is not only about breathing deeply or using your diaphragm. Sometimes breathing too deeply can cause hypocapnia.
Fortunately it is possible to measure and train good breathing through CapnoBreath Training. CapnoBreath Training teaches how to regulate your chemistry through various breathing mechanics.
CapnoBreath Training is available at Lakeview Physiotherapy & Acupuncture.
Litchfield, P (2005). CapnoBreath Training. California Biofeedback. Vol. 21, No 3
Litchfied, P (2003). A Brief Overview of the Chemistry of Respiration and the Breathing Heart Wave. California Biofeedback. Vol 19, No. 1, 2003