Dooley Noted: 8/22/2014
Yesterday, my patient was breathing shallowly into her abdomen. Almost every part of the breath was limited by the pecs, neck, and serratus muscles.
After my alarm led to the Dooley Inquisition, she admitted she was wearing a girdle.
When I proposed she take it off, she noted that would never be happening.
Never say never to a Dooley.
Most of us have our movement glitches. And most of those glitches are defined by what we aren’t willing to do.
This patient has not taken a solid, stabilizing, oxygenating abdominal breath since puberty.
Yet, she came to me to seek stability.
She’s not the only one.
While it may not be an actual girdle, nearly every patient I assess has spent a lifetime sucking in their guts like they’re wearing one.
The abdominal muscles are so powered for endurance that they can easily handle your 20,000+ breaths per day.
Yet, our abs are barely being utilized for respiration.
Forget the crunches.
Throw out your girdles, real and imaginary.
Let that belly go and allow it to move and build stability for your limbs and spine.
You’re not fooling anyone with that sucked in gut.
Breathe from it.
Seek stability from it.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley