The Answer Could be Respiratory Alkalosis
Have you often noticed you feel stiff and achey even when you haven’t exercised. You’ve probably increased your self massage/myofascial release and stretching. Yet nothing seems to be making a difference?
Have you considered your breasting rate? It been suggested we should breathe approximately 13-18 times per minute. With our everyday stress, poor diaphragm function and over use of accessory respiratory muscles we can often find ourselves breathing chronically faster than optimal. Termed Hyperventilation Syndrome (Breathing in excess of metabolic demand). This is different to the grab a paper bag, hyperventilation acute reaction.
This chronic over breathing can lead to something called Respiratory Alkalosis. This has gained plenty of research over the years that have concluded a number of things that can effect our physiology.
- Smooth muscle cells have been found in our connective tissues. With the change in Ph these cells have been shown to contract. This constant contractibility could be a reason your ITB, achilles etc keep feeling tight.
- Bohr effect. Haemoglobin seems to keep hold on the oxygen instead of realising into the muscles. Less oxygen to muscles could equal quicker fatigue during activity.
- The nervous system seems to become more excitable. Hypersensitivity to stimulus could lead to continued acts and pains.
- Blood Stealing – The body in its special survival instinct will actually more oxygenated blood to the respiratory muscles away the lower limbs.
Would all the above possibly be causing your muscular aches and pains or hindering your attempts to improve flexibility and joint mobility?
Just a different way to look at things.
