Abdominal breathing

        Abdominal breathing or diaphragmatic or belly breathing is the normal breathing process which is done due to the movement of the diaphragm and external and internal intercostal muscles . Intercostal muscles are located in between each ribs and diaphragm consists of a circular inelastic sheet of white collagen fibres and circular and radial muscle fibres.

       Abdominal breathing is important for COPD people in which air is trapped in lungs ,  hence, the diaphragm pressed down . This breathing helps the COPD patient to breath with less effort and less energy .

  Method

• Lie in bed and bent your knees.

Place a hand on your upper chest and other just below the rib cage .

• Breath  in slowly , especially through nose , let the air to go to your lower belly .

• The hand on chest must remain still but the other one should rise .It means diaphragm is pulling air into the lungs .

• During expiration tight your abdominal muscles and they must fall inward and exhale through pursed lips .The hand on the belly will go to it's original position .

The use of hands is required at the beginning , latter on when you feel comfortable , they are no longer needed .It helps to be relaxed , to reduce your stress ,to normalize your BP and reduces your muscle pain .