Case | Pretreatment | Post-treatment |
1 (♂) |
Respiration: Constricted. Upper chest pattern. Respiratory movement during inhalation and exhalation barely observable. Observable respiratory responses. Posture: Standing position seems stiff. Minor postural dealignments (ie, protracted shoulders, forward head posture [FHP], asymmetry in thorax during forward flexion of the back). Muscle: Increased tension in the muscles of the whole body, particularly in respiratory muscles (including muscles of the anterior and posterior neck). Function: Whole body tension. Reduced ability to relax and to let go during passive movements of the extremities, particularly when in supine position. Other: Extremely ticklish. Trains and competes in two sports. |
Respiration: Less constricted. Respiratory movement to a greater extent abdominal. Distinct respiratory responses during treatment sessions. Posture: Good postural alignment. Standing position seems more flexible. Muscle: Increased tension remains in some respiratory muscles. Function: Less tense in the body as a whole. Manages to relax in supine position. Other: Less ticklish. Trains and competes in two sports. |
2 (♀) |
Respiration: Constricted. Upper chest pattern. Observable respiratory responses. Posture: Minor postural dealignments (eg, FHP). Muscle: Increased tension in the muscles of the whole body, particularly in respiratory muscles. Function: Whole body tension. Reduced ability to relax and let go during passive movements of the extremities. Other: Ambitious. Extremely high training intensities and volume in recent years. Also concerned about performing well at school, aspires to achieve top grades. |
Respiration: Less constricted. Respiratory movement to a greater extent abdominal. Distinct respiratory responses during treatment sessions. Posture: Good postural alignment, including cervical posture. Muscle: Increased tension in muscles in large parts of the body, respiratory muscles included. Function: More relaxed in the whole body. Allows physiotherapist to perform passive movements of all extremities. Other: Has moderated training volume and intensity. |
3 (♀) |
Respiration: Constricted. Upper chest pattern. Observable respiratory responses. Posture: Standing position seems stiff (hyperextended knees, contracted quadriceps muscles). Minor postural dealignments (increased extension of the lower back and anteriorly tilted pelvis). Muscle: Increased tension in the muscles of the whole body particularly in respiratory muscles, in the neck and in the gluteal region. Describes stiffness in the neck and shoulders during exercise. Function: Tense in the whole body. Reduced ability to relax and let go in passive movements of the extremities. Ticklish. Other: Ambitious and extremely busy in everyday life. Active in two sports at high levels. Little time for recovery/rest. |
Respiration: Less constricted. Respiratory movement to a greater extent abdominal. Distinct respiratory responses during treatment sessions.
Posture: Seems more flexible in standing position. Muscle: Increased tension in the muscles in large parts of the body, respiratory muscles included. Function: More relaxed in the whole body. Physiotherapist can perform passive movements of all extremities. Other: Has decided to concentrate on one sport, which provides her with more time for rest and recovery. Takes a day off from training more often than before. |
4 (♀) |
Respiration: Constricted. Barely observable respiratory movements. Modest respiratory responses. Posture: Increased extension of the lower back, anteriorly tilted pelvis, enhanced thoracic kyphosis, protracted shoulders, FHP. Increased extension of cervical spine in standing and supine position. Feet slightly pronated in standing. Muscle: Increased tension in all respiratory and upper neck muscles. Function: Reduced ability to let go in passive movements of the extremities. Other: Tendency to press tongue towards the palate. Being an athlete, feels pressure about performing in physical education (PE) classes. PE teacher not familiar with actions she needs to take to avoid triggering breathing problems. |
Respiration: Less constricted. Respiratory movement now more visible and abdominal. Still only modest respiratory responses during treatment sessions. Posture: Good postural alignment. Physiotherapist has provided strength and extension exercises to counteract thoracic kyphosis and FHP. Still tendency to FHP. Muscle: Moderately enhanced tension in respiratory muscles. Function: More relaxed in the whole body during the sessions. Physiotherapist can perform passive movements of all extremities. Other: Breathing becomes deeper when she maintains the cervical spine in neutral position and when she does not press tongue towards the roof of her mouth. |