What is an unhealthy breathing pattern?

An unhealthy breathing pattern is simply any deviation from normal, efficient breathing. It often looks like shallow, fast breathing from the upper chest instead of the diaphragm. You might also see excessive sighing, breath-holding or mouth breathing.

These patterns can develop gradually, often in response to stress, illness, poor posture or overuse of the respiratory system during exercise.

Over time, this unhealthy way of breathing can become a habit, leading to symptoms like breathlessness, chest tightness and fatigue, even in the absence of any lung disease.

What happens when you have an unhealthy breathing pattern?

When you develop an unhealthy breathing pattern - what we refer to as a breathing pattern disorder or BPD - your normal biomechanical process of breathing is affected. This disruption can manifest as over-breathing, shallow breathing or reliance on accessory muscles, leading to a range of symptoms that may not be directly linked to any underlying respiratory disease. Sometimes symptoms such as breathlessness and chest tightness may be misdiagnosed as other conditions like asthma.

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What are the most common symptoms of BPD?

Patients with BPD may experience a variety of symptoms, including:​

• Shortness of breath during rest or minimal exertion​

• Frequent sighing or yawning​

• Chest tightness or discomfort​

• Lightheadedness or dizziness​

• Tingling sensations in the fingers or around the mouth​

• Difficulty in taking deep, satisfying breaths​

• Increased anxiety or panic sensations​

These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities and your overall quality of life.​

Case Study: Addressing BPD at Air Physiotherapy

At Air Physiotherapy, we treated a 16-year-old aspiring rower who experienced inspiratory and expiratory wheezing during high-intensity training. Despite thorough medical evaluations ruling out conditions like exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, the athlete's symptoms persisted. Our assessment revealed a breathing pattern disorder characterised by shallow, upper chest breathing. Through a structured breathing retraining program, we guided the athlete from basic breathing exercises at rest to more complex activities, ultimately enabling him to resume training without discomfort.

What role can respiratory physiotherapy play in treating BPD?

Respiratory physiotherapy is pivotal in diagnosing and managing BPD. Techniques employed include:​

• Breathing pattern re-education: Teaching patients to adopt diaphragmatic breathing instead of shallow, upper chest breathing.​

• Postural training: Correcting posture to facilitate optimal breathing mechanics.​

• Relaxation techniques: Implementing methods to reduce anxiety and promote calm breathing.​

These interventions aim to restore normal breathing patterns, alleviate symptoms and improve overall respiratory function.

The importance of early recognition and intervention

Palatients with BPD come to us when they present with unexplained respiratory symptoms, especially when standard treatments for other conditions prove ineffective. Early identification of BPD is crucial to prevent the development of chronic symptoms and associated complications.​

Through comprehensive assessment and targeted physiotherapy interventions, our patients can achieve substantial improvements in their breathing patterns and overall wellbeing. To find out how we can help you, or to make an appointment, click here https://air-physiotherapy.carebit.co/patients/bookings/new