In this blog post, we will be discussing the science behind breathwork and how it can help alleviate pain. Breathwork is an alternative therapy that is gaining popularity due to its ability to help people suffering from pain.
Breathwork is a form of breath-centered mindfulness that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Susan Dunn, a body and breathwork teacher, has seen a significant rise in the number of clients requesting breathwork over the last few years –– and Google Trends reflects this pattern too, showing that searches for "breathwork" have increased 6-fold in only 5 years.
Breathwork can be used as a tool for relaxation, stress relief, and improving overall well-being. breathwork can be done anywhere, at any time, making it a convenient and accessible practice for busy people. The benefits of breathwork are wide-ranging; from reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality to increasing energy levels and aiding in digestive issues. If you're not familiar with breathwork, it's time to catch up –– your mind and body will thank you for it.
"The breathing exercises are so successful and versatile that more and more people want to try them. Simple practices usually create huge, noticeable results quickly. There could be various motivations for practicing, like well-being, mindfulness or increased vitality. But there are breath practices suitable for everyone."
"Breathwork is currently trendy because yoga has become more popular in the U.S., and when a practice becomes more widespread in a culture, people begin to focus on the different aspects of that practice."
What Is Breathwork?
Breathwork is an alternative therapy that uses breathing techniques to achieve a desired effect. The most common type involves what's called "conscious connected breathing." This pattern requires you to take deep breaths in while consciously connecting your mind with the breath all along its journey from nose down into lungs then out again--and vice versa for each inhale/ exhale cycle . So, the Conscious connected breathing pattern is 2 inhales with an exhale.
The Science Behind Breathwork
There is a lot of scientific research that has been conducted on breathwork and its effects on the body. One study found that Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB) can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Another study found that CCB can help to improve sleep quality. And yet another study found that CCB can help to reduce pain intensity. All of these studies suggest that breathwork can have a positive impact on our physical and mental health.
This is likely due to the fact that breathwork helps to improve our circulation and oxygenate our blood. It also helps to relax our muscles and calm our nervous system. If you are looking for a way to reduce stress, improve your sleep, or reduce pain, breathwork may be worth a try.
So, how does breathwork work?
When you breathe in, your body takes in oxygen. This oxygen then travels to your cells, where it is used for energy. When you breathe out, your body gets rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product. The more oxygen you take in, the more carbon dioxide you get rid of. This helps to cleanse your cells and get rid of toxins.
Taking a deep breath is often easier said than done, however, it's very beneficial to our mental state. We've probably all been told at some point in our lives to take a deep breath when we're feeling panicked or stressed, and there's definitely a good reason for that. A long, deep breath can be both expansive and powerful.
The rhythm of our breath varies depending on our nervous system. When we're anxious, our breathing is short and shallow, around 14 to 20 breaths per minute. In contrast, when we're relaxed, our breath is long and deep, at a healthy rate of 5 to 6 breaths per minute.
Science has shown us that paying attention to our breath not only helps combat stress but also relaxes the nervous system. The more you focus on regulating your breathing, the greater effect it will have over other parts of your body such as brain functioning and hormone levels which are all controlled by nerve cells in some way or another!
A research study conducted at Stanford University found significant results when they monitored heart rate while subjects focused solely on their inhale-exhalation cycle; these findings were later validated through an additional experiment with different participants showing similar effects.
Learning to control our breathing is like turning off the autopilot function and choosing instead focus intently on something. Our brain waves change when they're focused, which helps us achieve a state of relaxation that can be conducive to releasing negative emotions.
Focused breathing is the key to emotional balance. The technique involves controlling your breath and then using that power for self-reflection, slowing down thoughts in order to gain more perspective on what's important at this moment - you!
A calm mind can help us make better decisions about our lives because when we are relaxed it becomes easier not only to see problems clear but also to find solutions
If you are suffering from pain, you may want to consider trying breathwork. There is a lot of scientific evidence that supports the use of breathwork for pain relief. And the best part is, it is a completely natural and drug-free way to relieve pain!
Science is backing up what yogis and other ancients have known for thousands of years– that breathwork has benefits for everyone. If you are struggling with pain, sleep, anxiety or stress, incorporating some form of breathwork into your daily routine may help to alleviate those symptoms.
And it’s not just good for your physical health – many people also report feeling more creative and productive after a session of breathwork. If you want to try out this alternative method for yourself, give us a call or book a session with us here
We would be happy to guide you through a session and answer any questions you may have.