Viscerosomatic Dysfunction

Breathing Back Discomfort Causes: Sciatica Clinic

Share

Back discomfort symptoms include stiffness, spasms, tenderness, and headaches often caused by unhealthy posture and overuse muscle strain. Breathing back discomfort can be caused by injuries to the spinal musculoskeletal system, conditions and/or disease in the back, lungs, or heart, and other conditions unrelated to the back. When taking a breath, the intercostal muscles surrounding the rib cage contract, expanding the chest and allowing the lungs to fill with air. These muscles directly affect the spine, which is why back issues can present when breathing. Chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy, combined with a functional medicine approach, can realign the spine, release tight muscles, and restore function.

Breathing Back Discomfort

A problem in the back could be a root cause for discomfort and back problems while breathing.

Spinal Conditions

Scoliosis

  • Scoliosis causes the spine to curve sideways, either in one direction, creating a C shape, or generating an S shape in two directions.
  • The curvature can be so minimal that it cannot be seen or so severe that it can be life-threatening. Most scoliosis cases fall in between.
  • Taking deep breaths can cause discomfort and pain because the spine curvature puts extra strain on certain muscles meant to support the body’s weight in tandem with other muscles that have limited function or are no longer functioning.
  • The condition normally begins in adolescence but can start later in life.

Scoliosis treatment varies depending on the severity.

Monitor

  • A spinal physician will monitor the individual for mild curvature, as sometimes the process stops before it becomes serious. This is known as the wait-and-see, what-happens approach.

Activity, Chiropractic, and Physical Therapy

  • Yoga can stop and even reverse the progression.
  • Chiropractic care and physical therapy can help alleviate symptoms.

Bracing

  • Bracing can be effective at stopping the progression.

Surgery

  • For severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
  • In this case, spinal fusion is the most common surgical procedure for this condition.
  • Newer procedures like vertebral body tethering and ApiFix have been approved and could be an option.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is another curve in the back that is supposed to be there.

  • Instead of curving like scoliosis, kyphosis causes a curve forward in the thoracic spine/upper back.
  • Problems arise when the curve is too pronounced.
  • This curve can come from unhealthy posture, Scheuermann’s disease, or being born with it.
  • Kyphosis causes breathing back discomfort by straining the muscles in the upper back, which are used for each breath.
  • Treatment often involves chiropractic and/or physical therapy to restore proper curvature and reduce inflammation.
  • A back brace could be prescribed if discomfort and pain continue.
  • Spinal fusion could be recommended for severe cases.

Lungs

The lungs and the spine are close to each other, which is why back discomfort and problems with breathing are connected.

Pneumonia

  • Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that causes the tiny sacks known as alveoli to fill with fluid.
  • This is where the body takes oxygen from the inhaled air to the bloodstream.
  • The infection causes inflammation and discomfort symptoms in and around the chest and back while taking deep breaths.

Lung Cancer

  • Lung cancer can cause back issues and pain.
  • Frequently coughing causes the muscles around the ribs and back to become overused and strained from the jerking and heaving.
  • The strained muscles cause discomfort and pain when taking a breath.
  • Tumors can push on sensitive nerves in the back, causing inflammation and pain.

Pleurisy

  • There is a thin layer of protective tissue surrounding the lungs called pleura.
  • Pleurisy describes the layer becoming infected and/or inflamed, which causes discomfort symptoms in the back when breathing.
  • Pleurisy can be caused by injury, infection, or cancer.
  • Individuals with autoimmune disorders are more at risk of developing the condition.

Pneumothorax

  • Pneumothorax describes a full or partial lung collapse, usually on one side.
  • The lung can collapse as a result of severe illness or injury.
  • The lung collapses because air gets between the pleura and the lung and not allowing the lung to expand.
  • Pain with breathing is a common indicator of pneumothorax.
  • Individuals with this condition also experience severe shortness of breath and chest pain on one side.

Pulmonary Embolism

  • A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery, blocking blood flow to part of the lung.
  • The lungs will display signs of distress through back pain when trying to take a deep breath.
  • This is a life-threatening condition that causes chest pain, coughing up blood, a heart rate over 100 beats per minute, dizziness or leg swelling, and painful breathing; get to an emergency room immediately.

Heart

Heart Attack

  • The nerves associated with pain in the muscles and bones differ from those surrounding the organs, including the heart.
  • However, a heart attack can cause back pain as the nerves of the heart travel along the same path as spinal nerves, specifically in the upper back.
  • The brain can misinterpret pain signals from the same roots that supply peripheral nerves in the chest, arm, jaw, and back.
  • Because they share nerve pathways, the upper back can present with pain during a heart attack.

Aortic Dissection

  • The largest artery in the body is called the aorta.
  • It comes off the top of the heart and then drops to supply blood to the rest of the body.
  • Sometimes, the vessel can get a small tear in the chest area, which grows from the blood circulation pressure.
  • Aortic dissection can cause intense back pain while breathing.

Chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy combined with functional medicine can help realign the spine, stretch and loosen the overused and strained muscles, and provide postural training and nutritional planning to help alleviate symptoms and restore function.


Deep Breathing Back Pain


References

Costumbrado J, Ghassemzadeh S. Spontaneous Pneumothorax. [Updated 2022 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459302/

Floman, Y., Burnei, G., Gavriliu, S. et al. Surgical management of moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with ApiFix®: a short peri- apical fixation followed by post-operative curve reduction with exercises. Scoliosis 10, 4 (2015). doi.org/10.1186/s13013-015-0028-9

Hunter MP, Regunath H. Pleurisy. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558958/

www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumothorax/symptoms-diagnosis-treatment

www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pulmonary-embolism/treating-and-managing

Mansfield JT, Bennett M. Scheuermann Disease. [Updated 2022 Aug 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499966/

Raitio A, Syvänen J, Helenius I. Vertebral Body Tethering: Indications, Surgical Technique, and a Systematic Review of Published Results. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(9):2576. doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092576

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Breathing Back Discomfort Causes: Sciatica Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.

Published by

Recent Posts

How Massage Guns Can Help Relieve Pregnancy Pain

Stress on the lower back during pregnancy often leads to back (upper, middle, lower), sciatica,… Read More

Improving Sleep with Melatonin: What You Need to Know

Can melatonin help many individuals dealing with sleep issues and help them stay asleep longer… Read More

Stay Active and Fit with Kettlebell Training at Any Age

For older individuals looking for a workout that can help improve overall fitness, can kettlebell… Read More

Neck Pain Relief: Choosing the Right Pillow for a Good Night’s Sleep

Can choosing the right pillow help many individuals with neck pain get a full night's… Read More

Back Pain Mattress: Finding the Perfect Balance for Healthy Sleep

What is the recommended way to choose a mattress for individuals with back pain?  … Read More

Exploring Nonsurgical Treatments for Piriformis Syndrome

Can non-surgical treatments help individuals with piriformis syndrome reduce referred sciatica pain and help restore… Read More

Discover the Power of Sleep Sounds for a Good Night’s Rest

Can listening to sleep sounds help achieve and maintain healthy sleep patterns for individuals having… Read More

Eating Habits and Insomnia: Exploring the Connection

Insomnia is a condition with causes that vary from person to person and can be… Read More

Long Thoracic Nerve: An Essential Nerve for Shoulder Mobility

Can understanding the anatomy and function of the long thoracic nerve help individuals make informed… Read More

Learn How to Get a Full Night’s Rest and Reduce Insomnia

Can individuals with insomnia find various ways to reduce its effects, such as a full… Read More

How to Repay Your Sleep Debt and Improve Your Well-being

Individuals who don't get enough sleep at night can feel it in many ways. Can… Read More

Control Sugar Cravings with These 5 Natural Sweeteners

Sweet foods were a delicacy for our ancestors. Can individuals incorporate these 5 natural sweeteners… Read More