Diaphragmatic Breathing

  • The patient is lying on their back with the hips and knees flexed and feet flat on the table.
  • Have the patient place their hands on both sides of the lower rib cage.
  • Instruct the patient to slowly inhale through the nose allowing their lungs to fill with air as the rib cage expands out to the sides as they draw the navel in. Their chest and shoulders should remain relaxed and they should not feel that their belly pushes out or that the lower ribs are pulled down and medially by the obliques which can often substitute for transversus dysfunction.
  • The patient exhales through pursed lips and allows the ribs to fall down and in. Their upper chest should continue to remain relaxed.
  • Have them repeat up to 10 times holding for 10 seconds each time.
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