The breathing belt is a piece of equipment used mainly by chest physiotherapists, although the belt has several uses. One function of the breathing belt is to apply pressure to the ribs to help mobilize the chest. A second use for the breathing belt is used in meditation or yoga practices to train the body to perform diaphragmatic breathing.
Step 1
Position the breathing belt. Place the belt behind you, making sure the belt lies flat against your torso. Find the lowest rib on the front of your body. Place the lowest part of the breathing belt about an inch below the lowest front rib. Be sure not to place the belt too low, or you risk putting pressure on the abdominal cavity. For chest physiotherapy, continue with Step 2. For diaphragmatic breathing, skip to Step 5.
Step 2
Cross your hands in front of your body, grasping the opposite sides of the breathing belt. Many people imagine the ends of the belt to be horse reins, says Dr. Deane Hillsman of the Sierra Biotechnology Company. Pull slightly upward on the ends of the belt so it slides up your back a little.
Step 3
Breathe in slowly and deeply, filling your lungs with air. Slowly breathe out. When you reach the point where about half of the air is out of your lungs, slowly pull on the ends of the belt, bringing your hands toward each other in front of your body. Gradually increase the pressure and imagine you are wringing out a towel as you exhale all of the air from your lungs.
Step 4
Inhale air into your lungs and let go of the belt simultaneously. You should feel your ribs spring out and a rush of air should come into the lower portion of your lungs. This therapy should be performed three times, twice each day to help you breathe more easily and more deeply.
Step 5
Tighten the belt around your rib cage, fastening the belt to hold it in place. The belt should not be so tight that it is uncomfortable. Breathe deeply, forcing your stomach to rise, rather than your rib cage. Leaving the belt on for a few minutes, or even for a few hours, will help train your body to recognize the feeling of diaphragmatic breathing, says Artour Rakhimov, Buteyko breathing teacher and trainer.
Tips and Warnings
- The breathing belt can also be used as a gait belt to assist injured or elderly patients. Place the belt low on the patient's waist, near the pelvic bone and make sure it is secure. Grasp the belt from behind to aid in transferring the patient from bed to a chair or to assist them when walking.
- Don't pull on the belt too quickly or too hard when using the breathing belt for chest mobilization. This could lead to bruised or broken ribs.
