New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
If neck pain is affecting your daily life, you know how it can interfere with work, sleep, and the activities you enjoy. Chiropractic care at Minster Chiropractic Center focuses on correcting structural issues causing neck pain, and emerging research indicates that adding breathing exercises to your treatment plan may enhance your results.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine analyzed the effectiveness of breathing exercises for neck pain management. The study found that breathing exercises can help reduce pain intensity and improve function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms are not fully understood, researchers believe these exercises may assist by reducing muscle tension and pushing better posture awareness.
A separate study looked at patients with forward head posture—increasingly common due to smartphone and computer use. The findings suggested that rehabilitation programs that include breathing techniques may help lower chronic neck pain in these individuals. (2) When your head shifts forward from its natural alignment, it puts extra stress on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, and correcting your breathing mechanics may help decrease this burden.
INTEGRATING MULTIPLE TREATMENT APPROACHES
Chiropractic care has established evidence for treating various neck conditions. For example, research has documented successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy via flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Minster Chiropractic Center we often refer to it as Cox® Technic!) Breathing exercises don't take the place of these manual therapy techniques but may complement them by addressing muscle tension and movement patterns between visits.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR CARE
The evidence puts forth that breathing exercises are a low-risk addition to neck pain treatment. They're simple to learn and can be done at home without special equipment. However, it's quite good to have realistic expectations—breathing exercises are one component of care, not a singular answer.
If breathing exercises sound like something you'd like to try, we can evaluate whether they're appropriate for your particular situation and teach you the correct methods at your next appointment.
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