Symptoms
Breathing restriction
Sense of incomplete breath with normal pulmonary tests often reflects diaphragm, intercostal and scalene restriction.
Overview
Sense of incomplete breath with normal pulmonary tests often reflects diaphragm, intercostal and scalene restriction. Identifying which muscle reproduces the patient's familiar pain on palpation guides treatment and often produces meaningful change alongside standard care.
Clinical notes
Diaphragmatic breathing retraining plus manual diaphragm release.
Red flags — when to refer
Dyspnea at rest, hypoxia, hemoptysis — emergency referral.
Muscles often involved
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction