Interaction of Swallowing and Control of Breathing
by Sandra Kahn,
DDS, MSD
University of California, Berkeley
Abstract
Up-lock breathing, described by Wilfried Engelke and Sandra Kahn, connects swallowing to breathing, impacting health and wellness. This approach recognizes the close link between swallowing and nasal breathing during rest. Up-lock breathing optimizes health and wellness by connecting swallowing and breathing to regenerative rest. Since a swallowing process basically results in the optimal position for healthy nasal breathing, although the duration of this state varies greatly, there is a high potential for exercises and thus healthy breathing. It leverages the physiological position post-swallowing to promote efficient nasal breathing, benefiting various aspects of health, including jaw health, athletic performance, and respiratory conditions like snoring and sleep apnea.