Dysfunctional Breathing Part 1: Background Information and Assessments

Abnormal/dysfunctional breathing has been identified as a clinical condition that affects one’s general health and well-being, pain levels, and neuromusculoskeletal movement strategies/efficiency. Abnormal/dysfunctional breathing has been shown in the literature to accompany many of the conditions that physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and athletic trainers treat clinically, such as low back and neck pain, pelvic pain, anxiety, and depression. There is also emerging empirical evidence that retraining breathing to restore normal breathing patterns can improve functional outcomes and athletic performance. During this course, participants will review respiratory mechanics and physiology under normal and pathological conditions, and identify abnormal or dysfunctional breathing patterns that can be evaluated in their patients. Evidence-based assessments of the respiratory system will be covered. By the completion of this course, participants will gain the skills necessary to effectively integrate evidence-based breathing assessment techniques into their clinical practice.