PAS Breathing Patterns & Postural Control Flashcards

Which breathing pattern is most commonly associated with upper crossed syndrome and forward head posture?

Answer: Apical / accessory muscle breathing

Apical breathing overactivates the scalenes, upper trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid, reinforcing the muscle imbalances seen in upper crossed syndrome.

The diaphragm contributes to lumbar spinal stability primarily through its role in:

Answer: Increasing intra-abdominal pressure during contraction

Diaphragmatic contraction increases intra-abdominal pressure, which stiffens the lumbar spine by creating a hydraulic cylinder effect in the abdominal cavity.

A PAS client who chronically over-breathes (hyperventilates) is MOST likely to exhibit which postural finding?

Answer: Elevated and flared lower ribcage with reduced thoracic mobility

Chronic hyperventilation keeps the thoracic cage in an inhaled (elevated, flared) position, reducing thoracic rotation and altering the resting length of core muscles.

Which nerve innervates the diaphragm and, when compressed by poor cervical posture, can impair respiratory function?

Answer: Phrenic nerve (C3–C5)

The phrenic nerve originates at C3–C5 and descends to innervate the diaphragm; cervical compression can reduce diaphragmatic drive and breathing efficiency.

Lateral costal breathing is taught in PAS corrective programs primarily to:

Answer: Improve thoracic cage mobility and reduce compensatory accessory muscle use

Lateral costal breathing expands the rib cage sideways, improving thoracic mobility and training clients to breathe without over-recruiting neck and shoulder muscles.

During a 360-degree breathing assessment, a PAS specialist looks for equal expansion in which three planes?

Answer: Anterior, lateral, and posterior ribcage expansion

Optimal diaphragmatic breathing produces symmetric anterior, lateral, and posterior ribcage expansion, indicating full 360-degree intra-abdominal pressure generation.