05/22/2025
Why do I teach my clients this breathing technique during sessions?
When I'm working on a client, I ask them to breathe in through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth, making a slow "whoosing" sound.
Why?
This will move them into their parasympathetic (rest/relax) side of their nervous system. If the parasympathetic is active, breath is naturally more slow and even, relaxes the body and soft tissue and assists the body in being less reactive during treatment.
Breathing is controlled by the brain stem, which can be influenced by which system is currently active.
Breathing through your nose and out through your mouth offers several benefits, especially during stress/trauma situations when your sympathetic nervous system may engage.
Breathing in through the nose also releases NO (Nitric Oxide) into the body. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that helps expand blood vessels and improve circulation.
It's primarily produced in the paranasal sinuses and released during nasal breathing. Nasal breathing can encourage deeper, slower breaths, potentially reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Great for the client, great for the therapist working with soft tissue.
Breathing in through your nose also filters air, warms it, and humidifies it, protecting your lungs from irritants and promoting better respiratory function.
Why exhale slowly through the mouth?
Exhaling through the mouth aids in the release of carbon dioxide and can potentially improve oxygen delivery and improve the feeling of "air hunger".
Slow breathing, especially with a longer exhale, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the "rest and digest" part of the autonomic nervous system. This system helps to counterbalance the "fight-or-flight" response triggered by the sympathetic nervous system during stressful situations.
By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, slow, deep breathing helps to reduce stress and anxiety. This is because slow, deliberate breathing can signal to the brain that everything is okay, promoting a sense of calmness and relaxation.
Slow breathing, particularly with a longer exhale, can help to lower heart rate and blood pressure, further contributing to a relaxed state.
Deep breathing also emphasizes the connection between the mind and body. When you consciously slow your breath, you're sending a message to your brain to calm down, which can then cascade into a physiological relaxation response throughout your body.
Just an FYI...
Recognizing a Nitric Oxide Deficiency:
Fatigue.
Erectile dysfunction.
Elevated blood sugar.
High blood pressure.
Poor wound healing.
Muscle soreness.
Memory loss.
