Breathing Assessment and Low Back Pain Mini Case




Prior to shooting the video, we established baseline for this patient of intermittent, but chronic low back pain. She had severely limited standing extension, almost zero. In prone, she had full, pain free lumbar extension with a prone press up. This would indicate more of a neuro lockdown or motor control issue.

How I assess for Breathing Pattern Dysfunction

  • check for diaphragmatic breathing - navel should go anterior and inferior
  • initiate breathing with abdomen first and sternum second - about 70/30
    • patient was sternal breathing and cuing diaphragmatic breathing produced lumbar pain
  • then check for lateral rib expansion/symmetry
  • lastly check for posterior rib expansion