Neck Pain and Breathing Pattern Disorders
Introduction
This document aims to provide information of how Dysfunctional Breathing Pattern disorders are associated with neck pain. Including information on; epidemiology, etiology, presentation of symptoms and provide recent evidence of the recommended management of the symptoms.
Definition/Description See breathing pattern disorders [1] See neck pain [2]
Breathing with normal respiratory mechanics has a potent role in the musculoskeletal system. Respiratory mechanics play a key role in both posture and spinal stabilization. Respiratory mechanics must be intact for both normal posture and spinal stabilization. There is a dynamic interaction between the key muscles of respiration. (Perri & Halford, 2003)
Evidence shows there is an association between neck pain and pulmonary function: A systematic review, included 68 studies, 9 were observational studies. The studies found a significant difference in maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures with chronic neck pain compared to asymptomatic patients. Respiratory volumes were lower in patients with chronic neck pain. Muscle strength and endurance, cervical range of motion, lower Pco2 were also found to be significantly correlated with reduced chest expansion and neck pain. Respiratory retraining was found to effective in improving some cervical musculoskeletal and respiratory impairment. (Kahlaee et al, 2017)
Clinical Anatomy
