01/28/2023
Diaphragmatic Breathing and massage ✨
I have so many clients that suddenly forget to breath during a massage treatment.
Does this sound like you?
Did you know that diaphragmatic breathing during a massage can increase relaxation, decrease stress, calm the mind, promote blood flow, increase lymphatic flow and the efficiency of gas exchange (important for every cell in your body). It can also make stretching techniques a whole lot easier, reduce blood pressure, reduce heart rate AND decrease pain so I’d say it is very important during a treatment! 😉
So how do we do this?
Try this with me.
Take a nice slow, deep Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
For a visual (imagine a balloon in your stomach that you are inflating with each inhalation of 5 seconds or more), or you can put your hands on the outside of your rib cage and try to slowly move them outwards with your breath.
Now for proper exhalation, try and relax your diaphragm first, followed by your intercostal muscles (think ribs), and lastly your neck muscles. This is encouraged by slowly bringing your shoulders down during the exhalation and remembering that this should always be slow, full and not a forced action.
Next time you’re getting a massage, are stressed or are just trying to catch your breath after a workout I challenge you to try diaphragmatic breathing and see if it helps! ✨
