Respiratory and orofacial issues
If there is one thing parents realize during their child’s early years, it is that children get sick more often than adults. Respiratory problems in children are common due to the immaturity of their respiratory system, which makes them more susceptible to infections.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in preventing and treating these conditions by improving respiratory mechanics. Nasal breathing is essential because it helps filter and humidify the air, reducing the risk of infections. Conditions such as rhinitis and otitis media can result from inflammation and fluid buildup, respectively, and physical therapy can help alleviate these problems. In addition, encouraging abdominal breathing and avoiding restrictive devices promotes the child’s motor development. Finally, it is advisable to limit exposure to irritants and encourage outdoor activities to improve the child’s overall respiratory health.
Nasal breathing is essential in infants and children.
The nose is designed for breathing, much more so than the mouth! The nose has a sophisticated defense system that helps limit respiratory infections and allows for effective breathing. Promoting nasal breathing over mouth breathing is essential for several reasons: the nose has a mucous membrane that produces mucus to trap pathogens. It also has a system of cilia that push and drain mucus toward the throat. Air passing through the nose is humidified and warmed by the nose, which limits the proliferation of pathogens.
A child who breathes through their mouth is more likely to get sick! If you notice that your child or baby often has their mouth open (or only sleeps with their mouth open), it would be a good idea to consult a physical therapist to find out the cause and quickly restore nasal breathing. The pediatric physical therapy professionals at Cigonia can assess and treat the skull and face of infants, children, and even adolescents (up to age 14) using various exercises as well as integrative manual therapy.
Abdominal breathing promotes healthy motor development
Unlike adults, the normal breathing pattern in children is abdominal breathing. This allows only the diaphragm (the main breathing muscle located under the ribs) to contract and relax during normal breathing. So-called “upper” breathing, i.e., breathing that involves movement of the ribs, requires much more energy in children, which can hinder their development.
In addition, the diaphragm fulfills several roles and is the main muscle responsible for the stability of a child’s body. The diaphragm allows them to hold the prone position in order to raise their arms or push themselves up on all fours. A child who expends too much effort breathing will have difficulty progressing in the prone position, regardless of how much time they spend in that position. As you can imagine, good breathing patterns can have an impact on the rest of a child’s motor development.
What to do to improve your child’s respiratory function?
- From an early age, place your child on their stomach when they are supervised and awake. This will strengthen their diaphragm while stimulating their motor development.
- Limit the use of baby devices such as car seats (when you are not in the car) or swings, as they restrict the expansion of the baby’s rib cage and therefore their breathing.
- Avoid using perfume, tobacco products, or strong household products in the home as much as possible to prevent irritation of your child’s respiratory mucous membranes.
- Encourage your child to breathe through their nose as much as possible by using nasal irrigation to help clear secretions when necessary.
Please note: if your child’s nasal breathing does not improve after nasal irrigation, this is not what they need.
Otitis media in children
According to studies, otitis is the second most common diagnosis in emergency rooms. Children between the ages of 6 and 24 months are the most affected. This prevalence is due to the fact that at this age, their Eustachian tube (a small canal that drains excess fluid from behind the eardrum to the throat) is more horizontal and smaller than in adults, making it more susceptible to collapse (compression and/or obstruction). Fluid accumulates behind the eardrum, leading to infection.
Physiotherapy does not replace antibiotics in children, but it can improve the mechanics of the Eustachian tube by reducing the pressure of certain bones in the skull and face that can cause it to collapse. It is also possible to improve the function of the nose to prevent nasal secretions from rising to the ears.
Rhinitis in children
Rhinitis is a condition that causes nasal congestion due to inflammation of the nasal mucosa or excessive mucus production. It can be secondary to allergies, infection, or even mechanical causes.
The role of physical therapy is to reduce mechanical tension on the nasal mucosa in order to reduce inflammation, promote nasal breathing by facilitating normal expansion of the nose as it grows, and improve nasal function (smelling and pushing secretions toward the throat).
Asthma and respiratory mechanics
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. According to studies, 14% of children worldwide have asthma, and this figure is rising, especially in industrialized countries. Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, which become hyperactive, making it more difficult for air to enter and exit the lungs.
Physical therapy improves the mobility of the respiratory muscles and ribs, as well as facial expansion, to facilitate the entry of air into the lungs. It is also possible to improve airflow to allow secretions to be expelled more effectively from the lungs.