title: Immediate effects of breathing re-education on respiratory function and range of motion in chronic neck pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Neck pain is associated with certain breathingpatterns and may lead to altered respiratory function. Moreover the altered breathing patterns may cause neck pain symptoms. This study has determined the effects of respiratory muscle reeducation on neck pain symptoms and respiratory function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with chronic neck pain (n = 36) were re-educated with three breathing patterns for 30 min. The pain intensity at rest and at the end-of-range of each neck movement, the cervical range of motion (CROM) measured from photographic images and the chest expansion during full inhalation and exhalation recorded using videography were evaluated before and after breathing re-education. Upper trapezius, anterior scalene, and sternocleidomastoid activity were evaluated during normal and deep breathing using surface electromyography, and the respiratory function measured by a spirometer was also evaluated during the same period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pain intensity and the muscle activity were significantly decreased after re-education. The CROM and chest expansion at lower rib cage were significantly increased after re-education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breathing re-education can change breathing patterns and increase chest expansion. This change leads to an improvement in CROM Positive consequences may result from the improvement in diaphragm contraction or reduced activity of accessory muscles.
authors.forename: Orawan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yeampattanaporn
authors.forename: Keerin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mekhora
authors.forename: Wattana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jalayondeja
authors.forename: Jatuporn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wongsathikun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration; D055815:Young Adult