Understanding the Link Between Muscle Pain, Posture, and Breathing: What New Research Reveals
- Julian Simpson
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Understanding the Link Between Muscle Pain, Posture, and Breathing: What New Research Reveals
At Health Wise Chiropractic, we believe in staying at the forefront of research to bring you the best care and information. A recent study explored how different types of exercise and manual therapy can improve pain, posture, and breathing function in older adults—especially those experiencing musculoskeletal pain in the upper back and shoulders.
Let’s break it down into what matters most to you.
🧠 What Was Studied?
Researchers focused on the trapezius muscle, a large muscle extending across your upper back and shoulders. Pain in this area is very common, especially in older adults. They used a tool called a pressure algometer to measure pain sensitivity in this muscle. They also evaluated:
General pain levels (using the pain scale from 0 to 10)
Posture (how far the shoulders lift off the table when lying down)
Chest wall expansion (how well the rib cage moves when breathing deeply)
Lung capacity
Heart rate and oxygen levels
🏃♂️ What Were the Treatments?
Participants were split into two groups:
Manual Therapy + Walking: A self-administered 30-minute routine followed by 40 minutes of brisk walking
Elastic Band Exercises + Walking: Gentle resistance band exercises (not overloading the joints) followed by walking
Both groups followed a guided routine three times a week and were assessed over a month.
📈 What Did They Find?
The participants who performed elastic band exercises combined with walking:
Had a higher pain pressure threshold, meaning they tolerated more pressure before feeling pain.
Reported a greater reduction in overall pain after treatment.
Showed improved posture and better rib mobility, which reflects healthier breathing mechanics.
Maintained healthy oxygen levels and heart rate during the study.
💡 In short: Doing targeted exercises with resistance bands and keeping your body moving can significantly reduce pain and improve posture and breathing.
🌬 Why Does This Matter?
Your posture, breathing, and pain are all connected. When upper back and neck muscles are tight or weak, it can change how you breathe and move—leading to more pain and fatigue.
This is especially relevant for seniors or anyone who sits a lot, uses devices frequently, or has a history of shoulder tension.
👐 Could You Benefit from These Exercises?
Absolutely. At Health Wise Chiropractic, we often prescribe tailored exercise routines to support:
Neck and shoulder pain
Postural imbalance
Breathing and lung function
Active aging and longevity
We also offer personalized elastic band exercise programs and manual therapy techniques to help you manage pain effectively.
📞 Ready to Take the Next Step?
To learn more about how exercise therapy and chiropractic care can help you move better and feel better—book an appointment today at Health Wise Chiropractic. Let’s work together to keep your body aligned, supported, and pain-free!
For more information about how we can help YOU with your pain and improve your underlying dysfunction so the problem doesn’t come back .
Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
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Arnal-Gómez A, Fuentes-Aparicio L, Marqués-Sulé E, Monzani L, Cogollos-de-la-Peña R, Pavlu D, Espí-López GV. Comparative effectiveness of manual therapy and band exercises combined with high-intensity walking for pain, posture, and cardiorespiratory health in older adults: a randomised clinical trial. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Oct 29;12:1654670. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1654670. PMID: 41234915; PMCID: PMC12605172.
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