Breathing As a Tool for Healing

Sometimes the things that are so easy, simple, and literally right under our noses are the things we overlook and pay little attention to. Breathing is one of those things that many of us don't think twice about.

Unless we have a cold, allergies, asthma, exert ourselves, or travel to a high altitude location, it is something that many of us don't think about on a regular basis. Yet, the breath is probably the most vital process to our survival. What other process in our bodies can be stopped for minutes or less and lead to death?

Yoga and meditation practices have raised awareness and a greater understanding of deep breathing and its connection to calming the mind and body. There have been many published studies detailing the positive effects of deep breathing on blood pressure, lipid profiles, mood, stress levels, and even alternating the Ph of the blood.

What is it about deep breathing that has so many proven benefits for the mind and body? One answer lies in the element oxygen, which is the single most abundant element in the human body. About twenty percent of our atmosphere consists of oxygen. We can thank blue-green algae for producing this life-giving element about three million years ago. Today, most of the oxygen on our planet comes from tiny ocean plants called phytoplankton, trees, and plants.

To understand why deep breathing is so important, one must understand a little bit about the anatomy of our respiratory tract. Our trachea is a tube that connects to the bronchi, and then to the lungs. Air flows through the trachea and into the lungs. Oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs at the ends of the respiratory tree called the alveoli. If we are shallow breathing, oxygenated air comes into the trachea and not all of it reaches into the lungs.

When we shallow breathe out about 20 to 30 percent of carbon dioxide remains in the trachea and we are breathing that in again. Shallow breathing only allows about seventy percent of oxygen capacity and carbon dioxide clearance. Deep Breathing allows for significantly more oxygen to get into the body, and also allows the toxic waste product of carbon dioxide to exit the body.

Pathogens like certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus, and cancer cells do not like oxygen-rich environments. They prefer anaerobic environments where carbon dioxide is plentiful and oxygen is not. Many pathogens can reproduce faster with less oxygen in an environment and more carbon dioxide. So creating a more oxygenated internal environment in our bodies is a real booster for the immune system.

Deep breathing should be incorporated into every healing strategy. It is simple to do and requires only awareness. The simplest way to incorporate it into your routine is to do it while you are watching TV, reading, or doing basic household tasks. You can even do it if you are sitting at your desk during work.

The technique is simple:

• Breathe in through your nose deeply (bring the breath all the way down to your abdomen and fill up your abdomen).
• Breathe out through your mouth until the breath is completely cleared from your lungs.

Generally the out breath will be a bit longer than the in breath. In most cases it is twice as long. Doing deep breathing for 30 minutes a day is a great goal. It doesn't have to be all at once, it can be three times a day for 10 minutes or six times a day for 5 minutes. Any deep breathing is better than nothing, so even doing it for 5 minutes a day is fantastic.

Here's a breathing exercise that should be done ideally with the eyes closed:

• Breathe deeply in through the nose for a count of four and then retain the breath for a count of eight.
• Breathe out through the mouth for a count of eight.
• Repeat this sequence for ten minutes or as long as you feel like doing it.

When beginning deep breathing practices, many people notice that they may feel a little lightheaded. This should be short-lived and not debilitating. If it is ongoing and doesn't feel right, please consult your physician. Many people who began practicing deep breathing report that it has had a dramatic effect on their mood and energy levels. Another great benefit is that it is free!

About the Author

Dr. Louis Granirer is a leading NY Chiropractor who specializes in traditional chiropractic care and holistic healing through nutrition response testing. Learn more by visiting his website at www.HolisticChiropracticCenter.com.

Additional References

• Don't Overlook the Importance of Indoor Air Quality