Inspire Balance Physiotherapy

26/09/2023

Following our conference, this book is a great resource to help young people learn more about and inclusion.

https://loom.ly/8Ay9Wzg

26/09/2023

Toddlers and young children generally have well-defined, broad and good-looking faces. However, a different story emerges with many teenagers. A visit to a secondary school will uncover many long, narrow and flat faces with sunken cheek bones, receded chins, narrow jaws and prominent noses. So what happens in the interim? Why do children develop crooked teeth and narrow faces?

Many young children have beautifully straight teeth at the age of five or six, but the teeth and face can quickly change if they
leave their mouth open. The consensus from thousands of oral facial myologists, hygienists, dentists, orthodontists and published papers worldwide is that for the face and, consequently, teeth to develop correctly, a number of factors must be employed by the growing child.

Such factors include:
1. Mouth closed with lips gently together
2. Three-quarters of the tongue resting in the roof of the mouth,
with the tip of the tongue placed before the front teeth
3. Breathing through the nose
4. Correct swallowing.

According to Meredith (1953), 60% of the growth of the face takes place during the first four years of life, and 90% takes
place by the age of 12. Development of the lower jaw continues until around age 18. Based on these observations, early intervention with nasal breathing and tongue posture is essential for correct craniofacial growth to occur.

Full article here including references:https://buteykoclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Buteyko-Mouth-Breathing.pdf

26/09/2023

The latest episode of The Oxygen Advantage Podcast is now LIVE!

The latest episode delves into the symbiotic relationship between breath and movement with Patrick McKeown and OA Master Instructor, Gray Caws.

Discover how the Oxygen Advantage® programme seamlessly integrates these breath and movement elements, complementing disciplines like Qigong and running.

Join us in exploring the transformative power of harmonised breathing and movement, and its profound impact on wellness and athletic performance.

Listen on Spotify now or watch on YouTube.

26/09/2023

23/08/2023

Our noses are amazing organs that have over 30 different functions. I am going to talk about some of the main ones that are important for keeping us healthy.

The nose regulates our whole breathing system - Good breathing begins at the nose. When you breathe nasally you will have a better breathing pattern, with slower more diaphragmatic breathing and less tendency to hyperventilation.

The nose is a filter - The nose can filter small and large particles including dust, mould, pollen and even environmental pollutants like smoke and some chemicals and prevents them from entering the lungs and the whole body

The nose is an air-conditioner - It warms and moistening the air we breathe preventing dehydration in the body and reduces inflammation in the lungs.
The nose helps immune defence against bacteria and viruses, helping to control all types of infection of the respiratory tract.

The nose helps us to get more oxygen, because the increased nitric oxide we get from nasal breathing helps to open up blood vessels in the lungs.

The nose communicates with your brain - During nasal breathing the rhythms of our breathing influence and help to co-ordinate brain wave patterns. Nasal breathing beneficially effects memory and learning. Nasal breathing done consciously can help to calm the nervous system.

23/08/2023

The nose has an amazing ability to filter small and large particles. Cilia and mucus trap dust, mold, pollen and other environmental contaminants such as smoke of fires.

The nose filters the air in a number of ways. Particles larger than 3 microm get deposited in the anterior part of the nose (nasal valve) while those smaller than 3 microm are filtered by the nasal mucosa and then transported by cilia propulsion to the nasopharynx.

Reduced nasal breathing in children makes them more at risk for deposition of fine particles that can adversely affect the health of the lungs (Bennett, Zeman et al. 2008).

The nose is also a "scrubbing tower" that removes inhaled chemicals that may be harmful to the more sensitive tissues in the lower tracheobronchial airways and pulmonary parenchyma (Harkema, Carey et al. 2006).

Children who mouth breathe are more at risk for deposition of fine particles. We need to do what we can to help them nasal breathe as much as possible, especially when there is smoke and particulate matter in the air (Bennett, Zeman, & Jarabek, 2008).

Procedures such as nasal septal surgery and rhinoplasty that change the structure of the nasal valve and lower turbinates can potentially decrease the filtration capacity of the nose (Schwab and Zenkel 1998). This is why it’s a good idea to try natural means such as nasal hygiene and functional nasal rehabilitation first. By training nasal breathing the health of the nose improve in various ways. Hydration increases, motility of the cilia increases and the cells become healthier (Lundberg, Settergren et al. 1996).

23/08/2023

Early Bird ends today! Join us in LA Sunday 17 September, now live-streamed too.

Integrative Breathing Therapy treats breathing as a system made up of functionally and neurologically linked parts such as the nose, upper airway, thorax and diaphragm. It recognises that breathing has many primary and secondary functions with the potential to heal via a range of mechanisms.

You will learn about the physiology, anatomy and pathology of the nose and upper airway that will improve your clinical problem solving, so that you can better serve your clients and more effectively treat the more difficult cases.

In this course you will learn the techniques and the nuances of applying Rosalba’s ‘Functional Nasal Breathing Rehabilitation Protocol’. Recently published in the IOJM the FNBR Protocol is a comprehensive but relatively simple approach that works to improve multiple aspects of nasal function. Results from this study show that this protocol is effective and well received by patients because it makes sense, is enjoyable, easy to practice and effective.

Additionally, gain deeper perspectives on issues such as…..

• How the vagus and sympathetic nervous system affect nasal breathing
• How the nose connects with the brain and breathing control
• How to use neuroplasticity to train nasal and upper airway function
• What are the sinuses and how can we keep them healthy

IBT is a person centred approach to airway optimisation and breathing training that is individualised, comprehensive and multidimensional.

We'll now be live-streaming as well presenting live!

Join us in Calabasas, LA or online on Sunday 17 September 2023
8.30am-5pm
Cost: US$650

Don't miss our Early Bird savings – US$590. Ends today !

For more info and bookings - https://www.rosalbacourtney.com/integrative-breathing-therapy-rehabilitation-of-the-nose-pharynx-larynx-and-tongue-la-17-sept/

23/08/2023

Another one!

Great to have Patrick McKeown and The Oxygen Advantage mentioned in The Washington Post this weekend. More and more athletes are using this technique to increase their performance in their field. From Tennis to UFC: nasal breathing and mouth-taping to improve athletic performance!

23/08/2023

Paranasal Sinuses
The definition of a sinus is a channel, cavity, hollow space or fistula. We have many of them our body but the most well-known are the paranasal sinuses.

The paranasal sinuses are not in your nose, they are in the bones of your skull and communicate to the nasal passages through small channels called nasal canaliculi.

They have several know functions and probably some unknown functions too:
• They lighten the skull
• They add a resonant quality to the voice
• They moderate temperature changes in the nasal cavity and prevent injury to structures that might be sensitive to heat or cold
• They help to warm and moisten air before it passes to the lungs
• They perform an immune defensive function via the formation of nitric oxide.

What causes sinus problems?

Sinus infection - viral, bacterial and fungal infection can block the sinus openings and impair drainage. This can start after a cold or upper respiratory infection.
Allergies - allergic reactions to airborne particles such as pollen, dust mite, pet hair or mould can cause sinuses to become inflamed and congested.
Nasal Polyps - non cancerous growths can develop and block the sinus openings. These create breathing difficulties and also recurring sinus infections.
Deviated Septum - the nasal septum (the cartilage that separates the two nostrils) is off-centre or crooked. This can obstruct proper airflow, leading to chronic sinus problems
Environmental Irritants - Exposure to smoke, pollution, chemicals, and other irritants can cause inflammation in the sinuses and exacerbate existing sinus conditions
Changes in Air Pressure - Rapid changes in altitude, such as during air travel or scuba diving, can affect the pressure in the sinuses, causing discomfort or pain
Structural Abnormalities - Some individuals may be born with structural abnormalities that affect the sinuses, making them more prone to sinus problems
Immune System Problems - People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections, including sinus infections
Underlying medical problems - Certain medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or immune system disorders, can contribute to chronic or recurrent sinus problems
Swimming or diving - extended time underwater or exposing the nasal passages to contaminated water can lead to sinus infections, known as "swimmer's sinusitis."

Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying cause, which may include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antihistamines for allergies, or decongestants to relieve congestion. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove nasal polyps or correct a deviated septum
We can improve the health of the paranasal sinuses with nasal hygiene procedures like regular nose blowing and flushing with saline sprays or washes and with nasal rehab exercises like humming and breath holding.

Breathing exercises can improve airflow through the nasal passages, reduce inflammation, and promote better sinus drainage. Here are some breathing techniques that may help with sinus issues.

• Nasal breathing
• Deep breathing
• Alternate nostril breathing
• Steam inhalation
• Neti pot or saline rinse
• Humidify the air
• Facial massage

While breathing exercises can be helpful, they may not be a stand-alone treatment for serious sinus conditions or chronic sinusitis. If you have persistent or severe sinus problems, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and personalised treatment recommendations. Breathing exercises can complement medical treatments and self-care practices for better sinus health.