Respiratory distress / breathing difficulties | BWS Syndrome – exercises that help

Respiratory distress / breathing difficulties

In the case of a BWS syndrome, in addition to the organic symptoms mentioned above, breathing difficulties up to respiratory distress can also occur. During inhalation and exhalation, the bony thorax with the ribs must be able to expand and contract again, therefore there are joints between the ribs and vertebrae and between the individual vertebrae. If this process is prevented, for example due to a blockage, pain when breathing and a limited breathing volume are the result.

As a result, the affected person reaches his or her performance limits more quickly, has to exert more effort when breathing and has the feeling of not being able to breathe enough. In addition, a BWS syndrome can cause breathing difficulties due to the anatomical proximity to the lungs simply because of the pain and restricted movement. For more information read the articles

• Sternum pain with shortness of breath
• Pain when breathing in – Physiotherapy

Chest pain

Pulling or stabbing chest pain in BWS syndrome may be due to blockages and malpositions of BWS, similar to heart or breathing problems. When the spine is permanently in a malposition, which may have been primarily present or may be caused by pain, some structures come under pressure and compression, others are stretched. For example, a vertebral joint under compression causes pain, a ligament of the spine or a muscle is constantly stretched, this structure reacts in the same way.

Since the thoracic spine is connected to the rib cage and the sternum by the ribs, a problem in the vertebral joints can project onto the chest area. If the back of the spine is too curved at the back, the structures at the front, i.e. in the chest area, come under compression. Mobilization of the rib and vertebral joints and straightening exercises in physiotherapy counteract this.

Summary

The BWS syndrome is a complex of symptoms of the thoracic spine and surrounding structures. Various symptoms can occur, ranging from back pain and restricted movement to heart and stomach complaints, as well as breathing problems and shortness of breath. In most cases of a BWS syndrome, conservative therapy is started: physiotherapy, physical therapy and a separate training program at home.