Background: Chronic pain conditions affect millions of individuals. Research surrounding chronic pain conditions and breathing interventions focuses on utilizing the diaphragm by breathing the nervous system output can be affected.
Case Description: This case report examines the outcomes deep breathing exercises implemented in a 43-year-old female patient with a long history of chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. Three treatment sessions over 15 weeks were delivered by a student physical therapist. The Neck Disability Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used as outcome measures.
Conclusion: This case report highlights the benefits of deep breathing exercises for managing chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. The intervention, designed with a respiratory rate of 5.5–6 breaths per minute and an inspiration-to-expiration ratio of 3:7, aimed to enhance parasympathetic tone and modulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The patient demonstrated significant improvements in pain levels, anxiety, and sleep quality. This case underscores the potential benefit of deep breathing exercises for the multifaceted challenges of chronic pain.

Keywords: Breathing exercises; Pain management; Neck pain