rintahengityksestä

Rintahengitys, also known as thoracic breathing, is a mode of respiration where the chest expands and contracts primarily due to the movement of the rib cage and the intercostal muscles. In this type of breathing, the diaphragm plays a lesser role compared to diaphragmatic breathing, also called abdominal breathing. When a person breathes with their chest, the upper part of the chest visibly rises and falls.

The mechanics of rintahengitys involve the contraction of the external intercostal muscles, which lift the ribs upwards and outwards, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity. Simultaneously, the internal intercostal muscles might be involved in exhalation, pulling the ribs downwards and inwards. This action leads to a change in pressure within the lungs, causing air to flow in and out.

While rintahengitys is a natural part of breathing for most individuals, it is often more pronounced when one is stressed, anxious, or experiencing physical exertion. It is also sometimes associated with habits developed from certain activities or learned breathing patterns. Some breathing exercises and therapeutic approaches focus on encouraging deeper diaphragmatic breathing, which is considered by many to be more efficient and relaxing. However, rintahengitys remains a fundamental component of the respiratory process.