New Research Links Breathing Techniques and Neck Pain Reduction
For those dealing with neck pain, you're familiar with how it limits your movement and disrupts everyday tasks. While chiropractic care at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC addresses the structural issues of neck pain, recent research suggests that breathing exercises may offer additional benefits as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine examined the effectiveness of breathing exercises for neck pain management. The study found that breathing exercises can help reduce pain intensity and boost function in patients with neck pain. (1) While the mechanisms are not fully understood, researchers believe these exercises may help by reducing muscle tension and promoting better posture awareness.
A separate study examined patients with forward head posture—increasingly common due to smartphone and computer use. The findings suggested that rehabilitation programs that incorporate breathing techniques may help lower chronic neck pain in these individuals. (2) Forward head posture places additional strain on neck structures, and addressing breathing patterns may help counteract some of these effects.
INTEGRATING MULTIPLE TREATMENT APPROACHES
Chiropractic treatment has a published track record of effectively addressing different types of neck problems. For example, research has reported successful treatment of cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy using flexion distraction decompression manipulation. (3) (At Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC we often call it Cox® Technic!) Breathing exercises don't take the place of 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 suggests that adding breathing exercises to your care plan carries minimal risk. 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 standalone solution.
If breathing exercises sound like something you'd like to try, we can evaluate whether they're appropriate for your particular situation and teach you the correct methods at your next appointment.
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