New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
If neck pain is affecting your daily life, you understand how it can affect your daily activities and overall quality of life. Chiropractic care at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. 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
Researchers performed a comprehensive 2025 analysis in the Journal of Clinical Medicine to evaluate how breathing exercises impact neck pain outcomes. The study found that breathing exercises can help reduce pain intensity and boost function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms aren't completely understood, researchers believe these exercises may help by decreasing muscle tension and pushing better posture awareness.
A separate study looked at patients with forward head posture—increasingly prevalent 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 creates extra stress on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, and correcting your breathing mechanics may help reduce this burden.
INTEGRATING MULTIPLE TREATMENT APPROACHES
Research supports the utilization of chiropractic care for a range of neck-related conditions. For example, research has documented successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy via flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. we often refer to it as Cox® Technic!) Breathing exercises don't replace 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 offer a safe complement 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 standalone solution.
To explore adding breathing exercises to your care at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C., let's talk about how they might fit your individual needs and we'll show you the proper form during your next visit.
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