Breathing Physiotherapy

Many people experience the frustrating sensation that they are unable to experience a full, satisfying breath. You may find yourself trying to yawn, sigh, or inhale deeply but still feel like the breath isn’t complete.

This air-hunger sensation can be uncomfortable and sometimes worrying. However, in many cases the lungs themselves are healthy, instead, the issue may be related to how the body is breathing rather than the lungs’ ability to breathe.

This is often called Dysfunctional Breathing or a Breathing Pattern Disorder.

At Move Authentically Physiotherapy, we help people restore more efficient breathing patterns and reduce symptoms like breathlessness, tension, and fatigue.

People who struggle to take a deep breath may experience:

• Feeling unable to achieve a satisfying breath
• Frequent sighing or yawning
• Chest tightness
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Shortness of breath during normal activity
• Anxiety around breathing
• Fatigue or poor endurance
• Brain fog
• Digestive upset
• Acid reflux
• Cold hands and feet

These symptoms can occur even when lung function tests appear normal.

There are many reasons someone might feel unable to take a deep breath.

1. Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns

Many people develop breathing habits that rely too heavily on the neck and upper chest muscles rather than the diaphragm.

Over time this can lead to:

• Shallow breathing
• Overuse of accessory muscles (some neck muscles and a muscle in the chest)
• Difficulty coordinating breathing during movement

Learn more about this condition in our guide to Breathing Pattern Disorder.

2. Persistent Pain and the Nervous System

Breathing is one of the most direct ways the nervous system receives information about safety or threat.

When breathing becomes shallow, rapid, held, or overly effortful, it can reinforce a state of vigilance in the body. This doesn’t cause persistent pain but it can maintain it by keeping the nervous system in a heightened state.

Diaphragmatic (belly)  breathing, on the other hand, helps signal safety. Ideal breathing isn’t about taking big breaths or forcing relaxation, it’s about allowing breathing to be adaptable, efficient, and responsive to the moment.

Read more about how pain and the nervous system affect each other.

3. Stress and the Nervous System

Breathing is one of the most direct ways the nervous system receives information about safety or threat. When breathing becomes shallow, rapid, held, or overly effortful, it can reinforce a state of stress in the body.

During periods of stress or anxiety, breathing often becomes:

• Faster
• Shallower
• More chest-dominant

This can create a cycle where breathing feels increasingly uncomfortable, as our body becomes more stressed it further impacts our breathing. This negative cycle can compound over time.

Read our article about stress, the nervous system and breathing.

4. Rib Cage Stiffness

The rib cage needs to move freely in order for the lungs to expand comfortably.

When the rib cage becomes stiff due to posture, muscle tension, or reduced mobility, it may feel harder to take a deep breath.

Learn what manual therapy (hands-on therapy) we do that can help with this.

5. Muscle Overuse in the Neck and Chest

When breathing relies too heavily on the secondary breathing muscles like the scalenes, pec minor or upper trapezius (neck and front shoulder muscles), it can lead to:

• Neck tightness
• Shoulder tension
• Headaches

Improving breathing mechanics can sometimes reduce this strain and decrease chronic neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches.

Many people who experience breathing discomfort are reassured that their lungs are healthy, yet the symptoms persist.In these situations, the issue may be related to breathing mechanics rather than lung disease.

Our Physiotherapists, who are trained in breathing assessment can evaluate:

• Diaphragm movement
• Oxygen saturation
• Rib cage mobility
• Breathing muscle use
• Breathing pattern and rate
• Diaphragm strength
• Posture and movement coordination

Breathing retraining can help restore more efficient breathing patterns.

Treatment may include:

• Awareness of breathing patterns
• Diaphragm activation
• Rib cage mobility exercises
• Manual (hands-on) therapy to help rib cage movement
• Relaxation techniques
• Integrating breathing with movement
• Some individuals benefit from individual assessment sessions, while others prefer guided classes

Learn more about our Breathing Assessment and Individual Sessions.

If you are interested in learning breathing strategies in a supportive environment, breathing classes may be helpful.

These sessions explore:

• Breathing mechanics
• Stress regulation
• Movement and breathing coordination
• Practical exercises for daily life

Interested in our Breathing Classes? Learn more in our article.

1. Our Youtube channel has lots of great tips on how to improve your breathing mechanics! https://www.youtube.com/@MoveAuthenticallyPhysio
2. For more information about breathing patterns and exercises, visit: https://moveauthentically.ca/breathing-resources/
3. You can also explore how breathing influences overall health in this article: https://moveauthentically.ca/breathing-and-immune-system/

If you experience sudden or severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or symptoms that worsen quickly, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. A healthcare provider can rule out medical conditions before exploring breathing mechanics as a contributing factor.

At Move Authentically Physiotherapy, we assess breathing patterns and help people develop more efficient breathing strategies to support movement, recovery, and overall wellbeing.

If you would like to start exploring whether your breathing pattern is impacting your symptoms, book an appointment today!