New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
If neck pain is affecting your daily life, you're familiar with how it limits your movement and disrupts everyday tasks. Chiropractic care at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center focuses on correcting structural issues causing neck pain, and emerging research indicates that adding breathing exercises to your treatment plan may enhance your results.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
A 2025 study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine reviewed multiple clinical trials to assess whether breathing exercises effectively lower neck pain. The study found that breathing exercises can help reduce pain intensity and improve function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms are not fully understood, researchers believe these exercises may help by decreasing muscle tension and promoting better posture awareness.
A separate study examined patients with forward head posture—increasingly prevalent due to smartphone and computer use. The findings implied 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
Research supports the utilization of chiropractic care for a range of neck-related conditions. For example, research has reported successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy via flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Manahawkin Chiropractic Center we often call it Cox® Technic!) Breathing exercises do not replace 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 puts forth that breathing exercises are a low-risk addition to neck pain treatment. They're simple to learn and can be performed at home without special equipment. However, it's important to have realistic expectations—breathing exercises are one component of care, not a singular answer.
To explore adding breathing exercises to your care at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center, let's talk about how they might suit your individual needs and we'll show you the proper form during your next visit.
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