Asthma & Breathing Trouble

Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person's muscles and joints. Osteopathy is consider to be a holistic approach based on the principle that the body has the power to heal by itself.

An osteopath aims to restore the normal function and stability of the joints to help the body heal itself. Osteopaths use their hands to treat your body in a variety of ways, using a mixture of gentle and forceful techniques. Techniques are chosen based on the individual patient and the symptoms they have reported.

As the dysfunctional breathing condition has a strong mechanical component (lack of mobility of muscles which aid breathing, ribcage, chest, and postural imbalance), an Osteopath helps in identifying and treating the mechanical component of dysfunctional breathing.

Complete medical history of the person is taken, along with assessing the current breathing pattern of the person (visual inspection and palpation used), through which an evaluation is made regarding the cause and the symptoms of the condition.

Identification of the breathing issue (difficulty in breathing) is made by an osteopath and assists the person in dealing to cope with the condition by advocating proper breathing techniques. Sometimes, patients presenting with the complaint of neck pain, shoulder and back pain, having stress and anxiety often have improper breathing associated with it. An overload to the accessory muscles of the ribcage (along with muscles of neck and chest) occurs and tenderness even with touch is observed with restricted movement of ribs.

Following respiratory problems can be treated through the osteopathy techniques.

• Asthma
• Shortness of breath
• Bronchitis
• Reflux