New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
For those dealing with neck pain, you're familiar with how it limits your movement and disrupts everyday tasks. At Aurora Chiropractic Center, we address the mechanical causes of neck pain through chiropractic treatment, and new studies show that breathing exercises can serve as a valuable complement to hands-on care.
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 boost function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms aren't fully understood, researchers believe these exercises may help by decreasing muscle tension and promoting 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 puts 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
Chiropractic care has established evidence for addressing various neck conditions. For example, research has documented successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy via flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Aurora Chiropractic Center we often call it 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 suggests 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 independent fix.
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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