Wanted to share an abbreviated version of my story and hope it can help someone else. Before I do, in no way am I saying my situation is applicable to others - just want to share

I've had chronic neck and upper shoulder pain for almost 10 years. My first rib on the left side has been in a fixed position and felt as if it would pop through my skin. My scalenes so taut that I felt they would snap at any given moment. My arm and hand often fell asleep, especially at night. I have tried everything to fix this (and I mean everything) short of having a first rib resection (I was considering flying up to Boston to see the doc up there).

Two years ago I had an inkling that breathing may be an issue. I tried to work on breathing with my diaphragm. That lasted 2 weeks and I never could get the hang of it.

Fast forward 2 years and I'm coming off a a few unsuccessful botox injections. My wife and I have also been dealing with some postural issues that my 9 year old daughter has. As she's gotten older, her shoulders have become more sloped and pulled forward. We've seen specialist after specialist and nobody could give us an answer until this last one. The doc sent her to a therapist that told us her issue has to do with her breathing.

Suddenly, the thoughts that I had 2 years ago about my breathing were validated. I began to recall feedback I was given as a kid - that I gasped, for air through my mouth when talking. I started paying attention to the way I breathed and noticed that I had a habit of breathing through my mouth. I am sure I don't have to tell anyone that breathing through the mouth is usually shallow and makes use of neck and upper chest muscles.

1 1/2 months ago I committed to breathing through my nose exclusively as nothing else was working. I bought a chinstrap to make sure my mouth stayed shut at night and went to an ENT to verify I had no obstructions that would cause me to breath through my mouth. He found nothing major, but suggested a sleep study based on some of my feedback I'd given and determined I also have sleep apnea (I've been using a CPAP machine for about a week).

I will tell you that changing the way I breathe has been one of the most difficult things I've ever done. It's just not natural to be that aware of your breathing, but you have to be if you are going to change it. The breathing is getting easier, but it's still not there yet.

Having said that, I can tell you that the muscles in my neck have relaxed significantly. The muscles are almost to the point where they feel like one mass instead of being so tight that I could single out each muscle individually (hope that makes sense). I still have some pain, but after 9.5 years, I expect to have it for a while longer as those affected muscles heal and those that may have been inhibited are strengthened. I also expect things to get better as the CPAP therapy is optimized with the thinking that as I stop breathing at night, the gasping for air is using those same neck muscles and thus aggravating them.

Again, not saying that the issues others are having are breathing related. However, if you've looked a everything else and nothing has worked, taking a look at the way you breathe could prove beneficial.