Why is Breathing so Important? Sure, we need oxygen to live! That's exactly right; we actually don't think of all it does from giving the body's organs fuel, to moving, and thinking all require oxygen.
Think of the body as a complex system – it gets O2 from the lungs, and the heart pumps it out so it can go to the rest of the body. Don't forget we have talked about the importance of water. Water is partially responsible for carrying oxygen…
Additional Reading:
Good article. I’d like to also mention that you can’t inflate the lungs fully if the rib cage won’t expand fully, and it won’t if the rib (costovertebral) hinges are restricted.
I’m a New Zealand physiotherapist. We’ve developed a device which we think is the most effective thing on the planet for stretching the tightened collagen around stiff rib hinges. It’s called the Backpod – more details on http://www.bodystance.co.nz – or just google ‘Backpod.’
Essentially it’s a high-tech fulcrum. Lying back on the Backpod for a few minutes uses your own upper body weight concentrated over the Backpod to provide enough leverage to stretch-out the very tough collagen around the tightened rib hinges. Manipulation is fine to unlock them, but you also need this collagen stretch to allow them to stay free.
Cheers, Steve August (B.A.,Dip.Physio.).