{"id":11191,"date":"2026-01-02T17:17:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T14:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/?p=11191"},"modified":"2026-01-02T17:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T14:17:24","slug":"breathing-and-pain-how-mouth-breathing-can-affect-the-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/breathing-and-pain-how-mouth-breathing-can-affect-the-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Breathing and Pain: How Mouth Breathing Can Affect the Body"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"182\" data-end=\"531\">Although breathing often feels like an automatic action we perform without awareness, <em data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"273\">how<\/em> we breathe has a direct impact on many systems in the body. Long-term mouth breathing, in particular, can lead to consequences that extend far beyond the respiratory system and are closely related to the musculoskeletal system, posture, and pain mechanisms.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"533\" data-end=\"693\">In this article, we will step by step explore why mouth breathing can contribute to pain, which areas of the body may be affected, and how this mechanism works.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"700\" data-end=\"749\">Proper Breathing: The Role of Nasal Breathing<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"751\" data-end=\"823\">The nose is not merely a passageway for air. Breathing through the nose:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"980\">\n<li data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"844\">\n<p data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"844\">Filters the air<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"845\" data-end=\"872\">\n<p data-start=\"847\" data-end=\"872\">Humidifies and warms it<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"873\" data-end=\"933\">\n<p data-start=\"875\" data-end=\"933\">Allows more controlled and balanced airflow to the lungs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"934\" data-end=\"980\">\n<p data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"980\">Supports more effective diaphragm function<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"1176\">This process promotes the body\u2019s relaxation and balance system (the parasympathetic nervous system). When breathing occurs through the mouth, many of these physiological advantages are bypassed.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1233\">Mouth Breathing and the Musculoskeletal System<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1343\">In individuals who habitually breathe through the mouth, certain postural adaptations may develop over time:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1345\" data-end=\"1503\">\n<li data-start=\"1345\" data-end=\"1369\">\n<p data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1369\">Forward head posture<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1430\">\n<p data-start=\"1372\" data-end=\"1430\">Increased tension in the upper neck and shoulder muscles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1431\" data-end=\"1503\">\n<p data-start=\"1433\" data-end=\"1503\">A tendency to breathe from the upper chest rather than the diaphragm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1505\" data-end=\"1584\">These changes can increase mechanical load particularly in the following areas:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1644\">\n<li data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1594\">\n<p data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1594\">Neck<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1614\">\n<p data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1614\">Shoulder girdle<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1629\">\n<p data-start=\"1617\" data-end=\"1629\">Upper back<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1630\" data-end=\"1644\">\n<p data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1644\">Jaw region<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1646\" data-end=\"1820\">When superficial muscles remain constantly active, they begin to compensate for deeper stabilizing muscles. Over time, this can result in muscle fatigue, stiffness, and pain.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1871\">Connection to Jaw, Facial, and Head Pain<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1873\" data-end=\"1896\">During mouth breathing:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"2068\">\n<li data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1943\">\n<p data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1943\">The jaw often remains in an open position<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"2011\">\n<p data-start=\"1946\" data-end=\"2011\">The natural contact between the tongue and the palate decreases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2012\" data-end=\"2068\">\n<p data-start=\"2014\" data-end=\"2068\">Chewing and facial muscles are unable to fully relax<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2113\">Over the long term, this may contribute to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2115\" data-end=\"2198\">\n<li data-start=\"2115\" data-end=\"2141\">\n<p data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2141\">Tension around the jaw<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2171\">\n<p data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2171\">Facial muscle sensitivity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2172\" data-end=\"2198\">\n<p data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2198\">Tension-type headaches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"2205\" data-end=\"2258\">Breathing Patterns and the Central Nervous System<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2260\" data-end=\"2345\">Mouth breathing encourages a faster and more superficial breathing pattern. This can:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2347\" data-end=\"2440\">\n<li data-start=\"2347\" data-end=\"2379\">\n<p data-start=\"2349\" data-end=\"2379\">Increase the stress response<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2380\" data-end=\"2440\">\n<p data-start=\"2382\" data-end=\"2440\">Keep the nervous system in a constant state of alertness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2621\">As nervous system sensitivity increases, pain perception may be more easily triggered. In other words, even in the absence of structural damage, a person may experience more pain.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2676\">Does Mouth Breathing Cause Pain in Everyone?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2719\">It is important to clarify one key point:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2721\" data-end=\"2802\"><strong data-start=\"2721\" data-end=\"2802\">Not everyone who breathes through the mouth will necessarily experience pain.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2804\" data-end=\"2851\">However, the risk increases significantly when:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"3031\">\n<li data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2905\">\n<p data-start=\"2855\" data-end=\"2905\">Mouth breathing has been present for a long time<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2906\" data-end=\"2979\">\n<p data-start=\"2908\" data-end=\"2979\">There are accompanying postural issues in the neck, jaw, or shoulders<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2980\" data-end=\"3031\">\n<p data-start=\"2982\" data-end=\"3031\">Stress levels are high and breathing is shallow<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3091\">When these factors coexist, pain becomes much more likely.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3119\">What Can Be Done?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3121\" data-end=\"3162\">To reduce the effects of mouth breathing:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3164\" data-end=\"3390\">\n<li data-start=\"3164\" data-end=\"3226\">\n<p data-start=\"3166\" data-end=\"3226\">Develop awareness of breathing patterns throughout the day<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3227\" data-end=\"3287\">\n<p data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3287\">Learn to breathe through the nose and into the diaphragm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3288\" data-end=\"3338\">\n<p data-start=\"3290\" data-end=\"3338\">Assess tension in the neck and shoulder region<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3339\" data-end=\"3390\">\n<p data-start=\"3341\" data-end=\"3390\">Reevaluate postural habits related to breathing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3392\" data-end=\"3558\">In some cases, breathing exercises alone may be sufficient. In others, the neck, jaw, and upper body should be addressed together as part of a comprehensive approach.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3565\" data-end=\"3579\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3581\" data-end=\"3798\">Mouth breathing is not a disease in itself; however, over time it can become a habit that challenges the body\u2019s balance mechanisms. This may create a foundation for pain, particularly in the neck, jaw, and upper back.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3800\" data-end=\"3956\">Evaluating pain not only at its location but also in relation to breathing, posture, and the nervous system allows for more lasting and meaningful outcomes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although breathing often feels like an automatic action we perform without awareness, how we breathe has a direct impact on many systems in the body. Long-term mouth breathing, in particular, can lead to consequences that extend far beyond the respiratory system and are closely related to the musculoskeletal system, posture, and pain mechanisms. In this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-life"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11191"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11191\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11193,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11191\/revisions\/11193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}