Center for Applied Biobehavioral Services 
@ Alliant International University, San Diego
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Diaphragmatic Breathing

The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs.
Diaphragmatic breathing is meant to help you use the diaphrngm correctly while breathing.This breathing technique offers several benefits to your body including reducing your blood pressure and heart rate and improving relaxation.

What is the diaphragm?
The diaphragm is the most efficient muscle for breathing. It's a large, dome-shaped muscle
located at the base of your lungs. Your abdominal muscles help move the d iaphragm and gives you more oppportunity to empty your lungs.

What is diaphragmatic breathing?
Diaphragmatic breathing helps you use your diaphragm correctly while breathing to:

• Strengthen the diaphragm.

• Decrease the work of breathing by slowing your breathing rate.

• Decrease oxygen demand.

• Use less effort and energy to breathe.

During diaphragmatic breathing. you consciously use your diaphragm to take deep breaths.
When you breathe normally, you don't use your lungs to their full capacity. Diaphragmatic
breathing allows you o use your lungs at 100% capacity to increase lung efficiency.

What are other names for diaphragmatic breathing?
Diaphragmatic breathing is also known as:

• Abdominal breathing.

• Belly breathing.​

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What are the benefits of diaphragmatic breathing?
Diaphragmatic breathing offers several benefits to o r body including:

•  Helping you relax.

• Improving muscle function during exercises and preven ·ng strain.

• Increasing ho much oxygen is in your blood.

• Making it easier for your body to release gas waste rom your lungs.

• Reducing blood pressure.

• Reducing heart rate.

What conditions does diaphragmatic breathing help improve?
Diaphragmatic breathing can help several conditions hat cause symptoms that affect how you breathe including:

• Anxiety.

• Asthma.

• COPD.

• Stress.

Diaphragmatic breathing can help treat certain conditions but it shouldn't be the only
treatment . You can use his echnique along ith other trea me s recommended by your
healthcare provider.

How often I should I practice diaphragmatic breathing exercises?
At first, practice this exercise for five to10 minutes about three to four times per day. Gradually increase he amount of time you spend doing this exercise, and perhaps even increase the effort of' the exercise by placing a book on your abdomen. 

A Note From Cleveland Clinic
As with learning anything new , the first few times you practice diaphragmatic breathing, may be difficult. Take a couple of minutes each day to practice this new skill which offers many benefits to our overall heath and can help you to relax. If you have a condition Iike COPD asthma or anxiety, talk to your provider about diaphragmatic breathing ,to see if it's right for you.