Why do I feel like I can’t get a full breath?

This sensation, often called “air hunger,” is very common in dysfunctional breathing patterns. It does not usually mean there is a lack of oxygen, but rather that the breathing system is not fully satisfying the brain’s need for a slow, complete breath.

Contributing factors can include:

• Over-breathing
• Chest-dominant breathing patterns
• Stress or anxiety
• Reduced diaphragm mobility

The good news is that this is often highly responsive to breathing retraining and nervous system regulation techniques.