The phrenic nerve, responsible for controlling the diaphragm muscle, can also sense things as it has both motor neurons and sensory neurons. These neurons control the contraction of muscles allowing our lungs to expand when we inhale.
The diaphragm and lungs mechanically affect the heart, causing it to speed up during inhalation and slow down during exhalation due to changes in pressure. The brain regulates this connection between breathing and heart rate.
The expansion of the chest during inhalation allows for a vacuum to be created between the body and lungs, making it easier for asthmatic patients to breathe and reduces the need for inhalers.
Emphasizing longer exhales than inhales can slow down the heart rate and calm the body. Neuroplasticity is triggered by high focus and relaxation, which occurs during deep sleep or rest.
Adopting rounded positions can inhibit our body's natural functions, including proper breathing techniques by not allowing us to access the musculature of our rib cage, resulting in chest breathing and tension in the neck and jaw.
This episode discusses the importance of inspiratory muscle training and its benefits, including enhancing recovery from mechanical ventilation and improving functional capacity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.