The Breath–Anxiety Connection

Many clients presenting with anxiety, panic, chronic pain, or unexplained physical symptoms are also, often unknowingly, breathing dysfunctionally.

In this session, respiratory physiotherapist Naomh Knightly (The Breathing Queen) will unpack the physiology of breathing pattern dysfunction and air hunger, how chronic over-breathing interacts with the nervous system to sustain anxiety and hypervigilance, and why clients with hypermobility or trauma histories are especially vulnerable.

Drawing on her work with both ACC Sensitive Claims and private clients, Naomh will share practical, non-invasive ways to recognise breathing pattern dysfunction in session, simple grounding techniques clients can use between sessions, and guidance on when a referral to respiratory physiotherapy may support the psychological work already underway.

The session will include time for questions and discussion. 

About Naomh

Naomh Knightly is a Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist and the founder of The Breathing Queen, an online respiratory physiotherapy service supporting clients across New Zealand and internationally. She is BradCliff-trained (Levels 1 and 2), a Buteyko practitioner, and an ACC Sensitive Claims provider, working with clients presenting with breathing pattern dysfunction, air hunger, nervous system dysregulation, hypermobility, and pelvic floor-related symptoms. Naomh holds a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Limerick and is a certified Pilates instructor.

Ticketing:
NZPsS members: $60
Non-members: $75
Student: $35