Neck pain and a breathing dysfunction, it’s often a chicken and egg situation by the time I see it.
If there’s neck dysfunction often the scalenes will tighten. This can compress the phrenic nerve, which exits at C3, C4 and C5.
It’s responsible for keeping the diaphragm doing what it’s supposed to.
Equally if your diaphragm is sub optimal, you’re more likely to use the accessory muscles to increase thoracic volume and thus helping you to breath. Overuse of these muscles (scalenes etc) can give you pain.
You see the dilemma. Thankfully in clinic we just need to get things working correctly.
A simple breathing drill will often do the trick. But doing it well and consistently is the key to a speedy recovery. 🧠💪🏻
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