Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Tips with Robin August, Ph.D.

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES FOR FIBROMYALGIA AND CFIDS PATIENTS: ABDOMINAL BREATHING

Posted on 26. Jan, 2009 by Robin August, Ph.D. in Uncategorized, abdominal breathing

There are a number of relaxation techniques to use that help Fibromyalgia and CFIDS patients.  I discussed one last week, Progressive Muscle Relaxation.  Today I will discuss abdominal breathing.

Let me say first that relaxation techniques are often practiced because they help with pain, tense muscles, help you rest, and they also lower blood pressure, sends more oxygen to the brain, decreases lactic acid (which is very important as when lactic acid builds up in the muscles it contributes to pain in some patients.

Abdominal breathing is one of the best and simplest techniques for relaxation.  Most of us, especially women, do shallow breathing into our chests.  Abdominal breathing is practiced by slowly breathing through your nose and then bringing the air down towards your stomach.  If you put your hand on your abdomen, you should be able to feel your stomach rising.  Pause for a very short period of time.  Then slowly breathe out through your mouth and imagine gently blowing a feather.  Be careful not to hyperventilate (breathing in too quickly or much more deeply than you normally breathe.  After you have breathed out, imagine letting your whole body go and imagine the tension flowing out through your arms and legs.  Just let go!  Do approximately ten breathes like this. The good thing about this technique is that you can do it while you are at your desk, for example, it takes little time, and you don't need any equipment.

In coming blogs, I will discuss other relaxation techniques such as meditation and calming rest.

Please share what works for you in the comments section of the blog.  I'd love to hear from you.

Dr. Robin

Tags: Abdomen, abdominal breathing, Add new tag, Arms And Legs, Brain, CFIDS, Cfids Patients, Chests, Comments Section, fibromyalgia, Little Time, Lower Blood Pressure, meditation, Oxygen, Period Of Time, progressive muscle relaxation, Progressive Relaxation, relaxation techniques, Shallow Breathing, Short Period, Stomach, Tense Muscles, Tension