Breathing techniques that are used alongside acupuncture treatment at Holistic Therapy Ealing or can be used on its own.

Breathing techniques can be excellent complements to acupuncture treatments, enhancing their therapeutic effects for both adults and children. Here's how breathing practices might be integrated with acupuncture sessions at a holistic therapy center:

Common Breathing Techniques Used With Acupuncture

For Adults

• Diaphragmatic (Belly) Breathing: Deep breathing that engages the diaphragm rather than shallow chest breathing

• 4-7-8 Breathing: Inhaling for 4 counts, holding for 7, exhaling for 8

• Alternate Nostril Breathing: Balancing breath through alternating nostrils

• Box Breathing: Equal counts of inhale, hold, exhale, and hold

Adapted for Children

• Balloon Belly: Having children imagine inflating and deflating a balloon in their belly

• Bubble Breathing: Slow, gentle exhales as if blowing bubbles

• Animal Breaths: Playful breathing techniques mimicking animals (e.g., "lion's breath," "bunny breath")

• Visual Guides: Using pinwheels, feathers, or stuffed animals on the belly

Benefits of Combining Breathing with Acupuncture

• Deepens relaxation during treatment

• Helps manage any discomfort or anxiety

• Enhances qi (energy) flow along meridians

• Extends the benefits of treatment between sessions

• Gives patients active tools for self-regulation

Practical Implementation

These techniques might be introduced:

• Before needling to prepare and relax

• During acupuncture to enhance treatment

• After treatment to integrate the effects

• As home practice between sessions

Below are some child friendly short videos explaining basic breathing techniques that are not limited to young people, but can be utilised by anyone at any time.

To learn more about specific breathing techniques used at Holistic Therapy Ealing, I'd recommend contacting Kate directly on info@holistictherapyealing.co.uk to discuss their particular approach and how they adapt these practices for different age groups and conditions.