Research has shown that chronic stress has a negative impact on every system in the body, including the immune system, and can lead to illness. It has been implicated in research to most chronic illnesses and diseases. The science of psychoneuroimmunology has tracked the impact of stress on the immune system through its impact on the nervous system. 

So, what does this have to do with breathing? A lot! Stick with me here. 

Most people are breathing in ways that repeatedly activate the stress response. And, this is both totally unnecessary and harmful in the long term. 

At Life Chiropractic in Grass Valley our focus is on correcting the causes of nervous system tension and irritation that drive pain, tension, headaches, anxiety, fatigue, and neck and back pain. We use a polyvagal informed approach to help people return to a place of ease and safety in their nervous systems. 

Back to Mouth Breathing and its impact on stress.

The Nose Was Designed for Breathing

Just as the diaphragm is the primary muscle of breathing the nose was intended for breathing. The mouth is designed for eating, drinking, and talking. It’s been said that “you should breathe with your mouth about as often as you eat with your nose”.

While that’s a bit of an exaggeration it drives home an important point. The nose serves some vital functions in breathing that the mouth is unable to do:

The Nose:

• Filters the air of small particles and dust
• Warms the air to body temperature
• Moistens the air for the lungs
• Produces Nitric Oxide which helps open up breathing airways and dilates blood vessels for the delivery of oxygen
• Provides resistance to incoming air which helps activate the diaphragm
• Reduces the amount of oxygen which helps maintain a healthy O2:CO2 ratio

In Contrast Breathing with Your Mouth:

• Dries the airways
• Creates an acidic environment in the mouth
• Lowers CO2 levels
• Activates the secondary muscles of breathing in the upper chest and shoulders
• Creates an activation of the Sympathetic “fight or flight” system

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

Overactivity of the Sympathetic Nervous System due to a wide range of factors is a tremendous factor in the development and progression of chronic pain, headaches, anxiety and a wide range of chronic illness. 

Mouth breathing uses the muscles of the upper chest, shoulders and neck and activates the sympathetic nervous system.

Since we breathe 24/7, even a low level SNS activation is devastating over time. 

The Stress Antidote

I’ve written elsewhere why managing stress is largely an exercise in futility because our world is changing faster than our nervous system can adapt. And, as we’ve discussed, stress is a significant factor in most if not all chronic health challenges.

The solution is to do a couple of key things to dramatically transform how stress impacts the nervous system:

#1 Remove Sources of ANS Irritation

The ANS is intimately related to the spine. The Vagus Nerve passes right in front of the top 2 vertebrae in the neck. Any restriction or misalignment of C1 or C2 can dramatically inhibit the function of the Vagus Nerve and the parasympathetic system.

In the mid and lower back the Sympathetic Nervous System runs right along the spine and misalignments here tend to increase the activity of the SNS. 

The focus of care in my office, Life Chiropractic of Grass Valley, is to correct these misalignments and return the body to a state of balance. 

#2 Correct Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns

We have already discussed mouth breathing in comparison to nasal breathing. It is also critical to learn to breathe using the diaphragm as the primary muscle of breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing encourages activity of the Vagus Nerve.

#3 Vagus Nerve Activation

Since most of us have lived for years, maybe decades with an overactive SNS, it is essential to improve the tone of the Vagus Nerve by intentionally activating it. By doing this you can transform how your body responds to stress.

Chiropractic, Breathing, and Vagus Nerve Activation are a powerful combination that has the power to rewire how your nervous system processes stress. This is critical in helping you overcome many chronic issues from pain and tension, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, digestion problems, hypertension and more. 

About Dr. Berkowitz  

Bringing more than 3 decades of practice experience, Dr. Bill Berkowitz focuses on balancing and corrective care, applying his expertise to provide patients with predictable, repeatable and measurable results.

Dr. Bill consistently strives to enhance the well-being of his patients by addressing the root imbalances of their problems and promoting optimal balance, alignment, and function of the spine and nervous system.  

Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience has allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its intricate connections. With each adjustment, he supports the body in returning to a state of balance that goes beyond mere symptom relief, focusing instead on long-term correction for his patients’ well-being. 

Schedule your first visit here: Schedule Here