3-2-1: Why All Breathing Is Diaphragmatic

I.
A client’s breath is more than airflow. It is a diagnostic tool.
When you see the sternum pop forward, the ribs flare, or the shoulders creep up with each inhale, you are not just observing “bad breathing.” You are seeing the body’s current strategy for pressure control.

II.
If a man’s symptoms flare during a breath-hold, it is rarely “just” anxiety.
Holding breath locks the diaphragm, pelvic floor, and abdominal wall into a fixed pressure state that may be fueling urgency, hesitancy, or pain.

III.
“Diaphragmatic breathing” is not a special technique. It is a basic fact of life.
If the diaphragm stops contracting, ventilation stops. What changes between breathing styles is not whether the diaphragm is used, but how pressure is managed through the rest of the system. Each style serves a different function: some optimize stability, some maximize airflow, some support continence, some facilitate relaxation.

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I.

“You can’t control the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

— Jon Kabat-Zinn

II.

“You can’t stop the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”

— Unknown

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When you cue your patient’s breath, are you fixing it or expanding their choices?

With care,

Team IPC