T1 – Breathing and Asthma Relief: Chiropractic Care in Overland Park

Caught Between the Neck and the Rib Cage

Breathing should be effortless, yet for many residents of Overland Park, Kansas, chest tightness, shallow breathing, or recurring asthma-like symptoms are a daily reality. This article explores how one often-overlooked factor—the T1 spinal nerve at the base of the neck—can directly influence breathing, posture, and upper body function in ways people may not expect. These breathing difficulties often remain a mystery, even after conventional testing, because the T1 spinal nerve’s role in respiratory health is not widely recognized. The T1 nerve plays a vital role in upper body and respiratory function. According to Spine-health, the T1 and T2 thoracic nerves influence both sensation and muscle control in the upper chest, arms, and hands. When the T1 nerve is irritated or compressed by a misaligned vertebra (thoracic radiculopathy), symptoms can range from tingling and weakness to sharp pain radiating into the chest and arms. In severe cases, inflammation of the intercostal nerves or muscle strain in the rib cage can make every breath feel labored.

Understanding this nerve’s anatomy is the first step. The next is linking that knowledge to chiropractic principles—especially the identification and correction of vertebral subluxations—so patients can see how addressing structural issues directly impacts nerve function and overall health.

Understanding the T1 Nerve, Who is Affected, and What it Influences

The T1 nerve exits between the T1 and T2 vertebrae and contributes to the brachial plexus—a major nerve network that controls upper body movement and sensation. It influences breathing by supplying nerve signals to the intercostal muscles between the ribs, which help expand and contract the chest during respiration. T1 interference can occur in anyone, but it is particularly common in individuals whose lifestyles involve repetitive upper body strain, prolonged poor posture, or injuries. This includes office workers, athletes, manual laborers, and people recovering from accidents. T1 nerve dysfunction can affect breathing efficiency, posture, upper chest flexibility, and arm/hand strength.

What is a Subluxation and How Does it Progress?

A subluxation is a partial misalignment or restricted motion of a vertebra that disrupts normal nerve function. In the case of T1, subluxation creates nerve interference that first impacts function—such as lung capacity, upper chest movement, and muscle control—before affecting the sensory nerve fibers responsible for pain. This is why early T1 subluxations may not be painful but still create subtle breathing or mobility issues. Over time, if left uncorrected, chronic irritation can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and other sensory symptoms.

Postures and Professions that Strain T1

Postural habits are a leading cause of T1 subluxation. Common patterns include forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and a hunched upper back. These positions shift the weight of the head and upper body forward, increasing pressure on the thoracic spine and compressing the nerve pathways exiting near T1. Over time, this constant strain can irritate the nerve and limit rib mobility.

Professions and activities that place the T1 nerve at risk include:

• Office workers and computer programmers who sit for hours, often leaning forward toward screens, which compresses the upper thoracic area.

  
  

• Truck drivers and delivery workers with prolonged driving posture that rounds the shoulders and limits spinal extension.

  
  

• Hair stylists and dental professionals leaning forward over clients, placing static pressure on the upper back.

  
  

• Manual laborers lifting or carrying overhead loads, which can compress the nerve by drawing the shoulders forward and tightening chest muscles.

  
  

• Musicians (violinists, guitarists) who maintain repetitive arm and shoulder positions, increasing tension in the upper thoracic region.

  
  

• Athletes in sports requiring constant arm elevation or rotation, such as swimming or baseball, which can strain the nerve over time.

  
  

Pain Symptoms and Functional Symptoms of T1 Interference

Functional symptoms typically appear first:

• Decreased lung expansion and shallow breathing

• Weakness in specific muscles of the arm or hand

• Postural fatigue and inability to sit or stand upright comfortably

• Limited flexibility in the upper chest or shoulders

  
  

Pain symptoms develop later and may include:

• Burning or aching pain in the upper chest

• Tingling or numbness down the inner arm into the hand

• Localized pain between the shoulder blades or near the rib cage

How Dr. Rory Dopps Locates and Corrects T1 Subluxations

At Dopps Chiropractic in Overland Park, Dr. Rory Dopps follows a systematic approach to identify and address T1 subluxations:

1. Comprehensive Health History – Understanding symptoms, lifestyle factors, and injury history.

   
   

2. Postural and Movement Assessment – Identifying imbalances or restrictions.

   
   

3. Palpation – Hands-on evaluation to detect spinal stiffness or misalignment.

   
   

4. Digital X-Ray Analysis – Precisely locating vertebral misalignments.

   
   

Once located, gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments are applied to restore motion and alignment to the T1 vertebra. This relieves nerve interference, restores proper communication between the brain and body, and allows for optimal lung and upper body function.

Chiropractic Care in Overland Park for T1 and Breathing

Removing T1 subluxations restores rib cage movement, allowing for fuller, deeper breathing and improved oxygen delivery throughout the body. Although clinical studies show modest measurable changes in asthma patients, many of our Overland Park patients report reduced chest tightness, fewer asthma flare-ups, greater endurance, and improved overall wellness. We integrate our care with other health providers to ensure a comprehensive approach.

Nutritional Support for Respiratory and Immune Health

Through our Designs for Health virtual dispensary, we offer supplements designed to enhance lung health and reduce inflammation:

Supplement	Purpose
Inflammatone™	Supports healthy inflammatory responses and reduces tissue stress.
OmegAvail™ Ultra	Concentrated omega-3 oils for lung and cardiovascular support.
Adrenotone™ ADP	Boosts adrenal function to help manage stress—a common asthma trigger.
GI Revive™ Powder	Promotes digestive health and supports immune resilience.

Consult with Dr. Rory Dopps before starting any supplement regimen.

Lifestyle Strategies for Protecting T1 and Improving Breathing

• Upright Posture – Adjust desk and chair height; keep ears over shoulders to reduce strain on the thoracic spine and improve rib cage expansion.

  
  

• Breathing Exercises – Practice daily diaphragmatic breathing to expand the rib cage fully, strengthen intercostal muscles, and promote lung efficiency.

  
  

• Physical Activity – Engage in walking, swimming, and yoga to maintain thoracic mobility, improve posture, and enhance respiratory endurance.

  
  

• Avoid Environmental Irritants – Reduce allergens, smoke, and pollutants to minimize inflammation in the airways and prevent asthma flare-ups.

  
  

• Stress Reduction – Use meditation, mindfulness, and quality rest to balance cortisol levels, reduce muscle tension, and improve breathing rhythm.

  
  

Take the Next Step in Overland Park

If you live in Overland Park and struggle with breathing difficulties, asthma, or upper chest discomfort, a T1 subluxation could be the missing link. Book your appointment today at www.doppschiropracticop.com by clicking “Book Now.” At Dopps Chiropractic, we combine precise chiropractic care, nutritional strategies, and lifestyle coaching to restore healthy thoracic function so you can breathe easier, move better, and live with vitality.