Back discomfort symptoms include stiffness, spasms, tenderness, and headaches often caused by unhealthy posture and overuse muscle strain. Breathing back discomfort can be caused by injuries to the spinal musculoskeletal system, conditions and/or disease in the back, lungs, or heart, and other conditions unrelated to the back. When taking a breath, the intercostal muscles surrounding the rib cage contract, expanding the chest and allowing the lungs to fill with air. These muscles directly affect the spine, which is why back issues can present when breathing. Chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy, combined with a functional medicine approach, can realign the spine, release tight muscles, and restore function.
Breathing Back Discomfort
A problem in the back could be a root cause for discomfort and back problems while breathing.
Spinal Conditions
Scoliosis
Scoliosis causes the spine to curve sideways, either in one direction, creating a C shape, or generating an S shape in two directions.
The curvature can be so minimal that it cannot be seen or so severe that it can be life-threatening. Most scoliosis cases fall in between.
Taking deep breaths can cause discomfort and pain because the spine curvature puts extra strain on certain muscles meant to support the body’s weight in tandem with other muscles that have limited function or are no longer functioning.
The condition normally begins in adolescence but can start later in life.
Scoliosis treatment varies depending on the severity.
Monitor
A spinal physician will monitor the individual for mild curvature, as sometimes the process stops before it becomes serious. This is known as the wait-and-see, what-happens approach.
Kyphosis is another curve in the back that is supposed to be there.
Instead of curving like scoliosis, kyphosis causes a curve forward in the thoracic spine/upper back.
Problems arise when the curve is too pronounced.
This curve can come from unhealthy posture, Scheuermann’s disease, or being born with it.
Kyphosis causes breathing back discomfort by straining the muscles in the upper back, which are used for each breath.
Treatment often involves chiropractic and/or physical therapy to restore proper curvature and reduce inflammation.
A back brace could be prescribed if discomfort and pain continue.
Spinal fusion could be recommended for severe cases.
Lungs
The lungs and the spine are close to each other, which is why back discomfort and problems with breathing are connected.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that causes the tiny sacks known as alveoli to fill with fluid.
This is where the body takes oxygen from the inhaled air to the bloodstream.
The infection causes inflammation and discomfort symptoms in and around the chest and back while taking deep breaths.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can cause back issues and pain.
Frequently coughing causes the muscles around the ribs and back to become overused and strained from the jerking and heaving.
The strained muscles cause discomfort and pain when taking a breath.
Tumors can push on sensitive nerves in the back, causing inflammation and pain.
Pleurisy
There is a thin layer of protective tissue surrounding the lungs called pleura.
Pleurisy describes the layer becoming infected and/or inflamed, which causes discomfort symptoms in the back when breathing.
Pleurisy can be caused by injury, infection, or cancer.
Individuals with autoimmune disorders are more at risk of developing the condition.
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax describes a full or partial lung collapse, usually on one side.
The lung can collapse as a result of severe illness or injury.
The lung collapses because air gets between the pleura and the lung and not allowing the lung to expand.
Pain with breathing is a common indicator of pneumothorax.
Individuals with this condition also experience severe shortness of breath and chest pain on one side.
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery, blocking blood flow to part of the lung.
The lungs will display signs of distress through back pain when trying to take a deep breath.
This is a life-threatening condition that causes chest pain, coughing up blood, a heart rate over 100 beats per minute, dizziness or leg swelling, and painful breathing; get to an emergency room immediately.
Heart
Heart Attack
The nerves associated with pain in the muscles and bones differ from those surrounding the organs, including the heart.
However, a heart attack can cause back pain as the nerves of the heart travel along the same path as spinal nerves, specifically in the upper back.
The brain can misinterpret pain signals from the same roots that supply peripheral nerves in the chest, arm, jaw, and back.
Because they share nerve pathways, the upper back can present with pain during a heart attack.
Aortic Dissection
The largest artery in the body is called the aorta.
It comes off the top of the heart and then drops to supply blood to the rest of the body.
Sometimes, the vessel can get a small tear in the chest area, which grows from the blood circulation pressure.
Aortic dissection can cause intense back pain while breathing.
Chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy combined with functional medicine can help realign the spine, stretch and loosen the overused and strained muscles, and provide postural training and nutritional planning to help alleviate symptoms and restore function.
Deep Breathing Back Pain
References
Costumbrado J, Ghassemzadeh S. Spontaneous Pneumothorax. [Updated 2022 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459302/
Floman, Y., Burnei, G., Gavriliu, S. et al. Surgical management of moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with ApiFix®: a short peri- apical fixation followed by post-operative curve reduction with exercises. Scoliosis 10, 4 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13013-015-0028-9
Hunter MP, Regunath H. Pleurisy. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558958/
Mansfield JT, Bennett M. Scheuermann Disease. [Updated 2022 Aug 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499966/
Raitio A, Syvänen J, Helenius I. Vertebral Body Tethering: Indications, Surgical Technique, and a Systematic Review of Published Results. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(9):2576. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092576
Asthma, coughing, and heavy breathing can contribute to back muscle strain, soreness, and pain. An asthma attack can cause the body to heave during intense gasping, leaving the back muscles physically exhausted. Chiropractic adjustments and decompression can bring back pain relief, strengthen and stretch the spine and spinal muscles, and prevent it from returning, along with asthma management.
Asthma
The bronchial tubesdivide into smaller passages called bronchi and then into bronchioles. The bronchioles have tiny air sacs called alveoli, where inhaled oxygen is delivered to the blood. After absorbing the oxygen, the blood leaves the lungs and travels to the heart. Asthma is a lung condition that can affect anyone at any age. Asthma narrows the lungs’ airways causing inflammation in response to respiratory triggers, making it harder for air to travel out of the airways when exhaling. Symptoms include:
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Gasping to get air
Coughing
Tightness in the chest
Triggers can include:
Hot and/or humid weather
Exercise
Cold air
Pollen
Pets
Viral infections
Respiratory infections
Asthma Coughing and Back Strain
Asthma symptoms can take a toll on the back muscles and spine. Asthma attacks that cause gasping and heavy breathing cause the primary muscle (diaphragm) that supports breathing to weaken and strain. The diaphragm helps the spine but cannot do so effectively when under constant strain.
Constant Coughing and Spinal Health
Coughing is the body’s way of expelling unwanted foreign bodies. Chronic coughing stresses, strains, and overexerts the spinal support muscles and impacts posture. Individuals unconsciously take on a tense, forward-leaning posture/position that can cause:
Neck and shoulder stiffness, upper/lower back tightness, disc herniation, and pain.
Vertebrae subluxations/spinal misalignments can interfere with circulation and nerve function.
For short-term back pain following an asthma attack or coughing episode, it is recommended to rest, apply heat or ice, and take over-the-counter pain medication.
Massage therapy and myofascial release can stretch and relax the muscles.
Chiropractic manipulation relieves the stress on the nerves and muscles and stimulates the spinal cordand nerves to regain proper functioning.
Breathing Exercises and Yoga
Strengthened and conditioned core muscles can help to breathe more efficiently. When breathing normally it is usually a shallow inhale/exhale that does not fill the lungs to the total capacity. Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique to fully engage the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to fill the lungs with air more efficiently. Using the diaphragm correctly will:
Strengthen the diaphragm.
Use less energy to breathe.
Slow down the breathing rate.
Decrease the work of breathing hard.
Decrease the demand for continuous oxygen.
Yoga is another core-strengthening technique that encourages focused breathing that can help improve asthma control.
Decompression Neurosurgeon
References
American Lung Association. Breathing Exercises. (https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/breathing-exercises) Accessed 3/29/2022.
Lunardi, Adriana Claudia, et al. “Musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain in adults with asthma.” The Journal of asthma: Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma vol. 48,1 (2011): 105-10. doi:10.3109/02770903.2010.520229
Rasmussen-Barr, E. et al. “Are respiratory disorders risk factors for troublesome low-back pain? A study of a general population cohort in Sweden.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 28,11 (2019): 2502-2509. doi:10.1007/s00586-019-06071-5
Solakoğlu, Özge, et al. “The effects of forward head posture on expiratory muscle strength in chronic neck pain patients: A cross-sectional study.” Turkish Journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation vol. 66,2 161-168. 18 May. 2020, doi:10.5606/tftrd.2020.3153
About� 40 percent of people all over the world struggle with allergies and the demand for treatment has never been higher. However, there is still no cure-all when it comes to treating allergies. There are plenty of options available, but few are as effective as we would like them to be�and the ones that do work usually have side effects that can make them undesirable.
Chiropractic offers an attractive alternative to standard medical treatment. By improving general health, chiropractic helps the body better cope with all those allergens now and years to come.
What are they?
When the human body encounters a substance that it is allergic to, the immune system is triggered and attempts to attack the allergen in much the same way it would a substance that is truly harmful. The problem is, the allergen is not harmful in and of itself�but the immune system reaction can be harmful, or at least highly unpleasant.
For example, if you are allergic to pollen, your immune system will attempt to attack the pollen you inhale. Your body will produce immunoglobulin, leading to the release of histamines. The histamines that surge through your system cause blood vessels to dilate, fluid to increase in the space surrounding your cells, and your blood pressure to drop. A runny nose and sneezing typically follow, and symptoms can become even more extreme, like nausea and vomiting. It all seems like overkill for a bit of pollen, but there is little you can do to avoid it.
It is possible to be allergic to just about anything, but there are certain substances that are common allergens. These include:
Pollen
Mold
Pet Dander
Weeds
Dust Mites
Grass
Girl� with allergies
Allergies and Chiropractic Adjustments
Allergies are not something that can be cured, but they can be treated in a way that lessens their impact on your life. Standard medical care offers a variety of treatments for allergies, some more effective than others.
Many over-the-counter allergy medications are available, each with its own potential side effects. You can also seek an appointment with an allergy specialist, who can determine exactly what you are allergic to and offer stronger treatment options�but these also carry potential side effects, and as with over-the-counter options, may or may not be effective.
Proper Nervous System Function
Chiropractic care approaches allergies more holistically. One of the main ideas behind chiropractic is that the human body can heal itself in most cases if the conditions are right.
It is the job of your chiropractor to create the ideal conditions for healing. By optimizing spinal alignment, it is possible to improve nervous system function and thereby improve the body�s response to all types of stimuli�including allergens.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Chiropractic is about more than spinal adjustments. A holistic approach means optimizing every aspect of your health, which includes diet and exercise.
Your chiropractor can look closely at your diet and other lifestyle factors and help you identify changes that may lessen your allergy symptoms. By improving your diet and adding exercises that add strength and mobility, you will change the composition of your body in fundamental ways. These changes often lead to surprising improvements in the way you react to a variety of substances.
Call To Make An Appointment
If you are suffering from allergy symptoms and you are tired of ineffective treatments and their unpleasant side effects, chiropractic care may be a perfect fit for you. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alex Jimenez. Let us show you how much better chiropractic can make you feel.
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