Why Breathing and Your Diaphragm Matter for Movement
Breathing happens automatically, so most of us rarely think about how important it is to movement.
But every breath involves movement.
Your diaphragm moves as you breathe, your rib cage expands and contracts, and your trunk responds to changes in pressure and position. Breathing is connected to the muscles of your core and can influence how your body stabilizes and moves.
At OmassageT.com in Grapevine, Texas, orthopedic massage therapy takes a whole-body approach to movement. That includes paying attention to the relationship between the diaphragm, core, pelvis, spine and surrounding muscles.
Sometimes something as simple as stopping to breathe can help you become more aware of how your body feels.
What Is the Diaphragm?
The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located beneath your lungs.
When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, helping your lungs expand. When you exhale, it relaxes and moves upward.
Although the diaphragm is primarily known for its role in breathing, it also participates in the way your trunk manages pressure and stability.
This makes breathing relevant to more than just getting oxygen into your body.
It is also part of how your body moves.
Breathing and Your Core
Your core is more than your abdominal muscles.
The core includes a group of muscles and structures that work together to support your trunk and help control movement.
The diaphragm is part of this system.
Breathing requires coordination between the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, muscles around the spine and pelvic region.
This is one reason core performance should not be thought of only as having strong abdominal muscles.
Good core performance also involves coordination, stability, mobility and the ability to adapt while you move and breathe.
Your Breath and Your Pelvis
The diaphragm and pelvis are located at opposite ends of the trunk, but they participate in the way your body manages pressure and stability.
Your pelvis provides a foundation between your legs and spine.
Your diaphragm helps regulate pressure within the trunk as you breathe.
The muscles between these areas work together to help stabilize your body.
This relationship is one reason breathing can be considered when looking at overall movement.
It does not mean that every pain problem is caused by breathing or the diaphragm. Pain can have many different causes. Instead, breathing is one part of the larger system that helps your body move.
Why Do People Hold Their Breath?
People sometimes hold their breath without realizing it.
It can happen while concentrating, lifting something heavy, exercising or dealing with stress.
You may even notice yourself holding your breath while sitting at a computer or looking closely at your phone.
Holding your breath briefly can be a normal part of certain activities. But if you frequently notice that your breathing becomes shallow or restricted during everyday activities, it may be worth paying attention to.
Simply becoming aware of your breathing can be useful.
Stop and Breathe
One simple practice is to stop during the day and take a few comfortable breaths.
If you have been sitting for a long time, stand up.
Let your shoulders relax.
Take a slow breath.
Allow your rib cage and abdomen to move naturally.
Then gently extend your body and move.
This does not need to be complicated.
The purpose is to interrupt the cycle of staying in one position and bring your attention back to your body.
Breathing and the Upper Back
Your rib cage is directly connected to your thoracic spine, which makes up much of your upper and middle back.
Every breath creates movement through the rib cage.
If your upper back and ribs are stiff, you may notice that taking a deep breath feels different from normal.
Likewise, people who spend a great deal of time sitting may develop habits that limit how freely their upper body moves.
Breathing exercises do not replace treatment for an underlying medical condition, but comfortable breathing and regular movement can be useful parts of body awareness.
Breathing During Exercise
Breathing becomes particularly important during physical activity.
Whether you are running, lifting weights, playing football or participating in another sport, your body needs to coordinate breathing with movement.
Athletes often learn specific breathing patterns for different activities.
The important concept is that breathing and movement are not separate.
Your body has to coordinate them.
This is another reason core performance involves more than simply strengthening one group of muscles.
The Diaphragm and Relaxation
Breathing can also influence how relaxed you feel.
When people are stressed, they may unconsciously change their breathing pattern. They may breathe more quickly or hold their breath.
Taking slow, comfortable breaths can encourage awareness and relaxation.
This is one reason breathing can be useful during a massage session.
A person who feels comfortable and relaxed may be able to let go of unnecessary muscular tension more easily.
At OmassageT.com, sessions are designed to be pain-free and comfortable, allowing the client to relax while the body is being worked with.
Breathing and Movement After Sitting
Think about what happens after several hours at a desk.
You stand up and may feel stiff through your hips, back and shoulders.
Instead of immediately rushing back into activity, take a moment.
Stand tall.
Breathe.
Allow your shoulders to relax.
Gently move your body.
This simple transition can help you become more aware of the difference between being stationary and being active.
Your body is designed to adapt between different positions.
Breathing Is Part of Core Performance
Core performance is not just about how much weight you can lift or how many abdominal exercises you can perform.
Your core needs to work while you walk, run, reach, lift, rotate and breathe.
The diaphragm is part of that system.
The pelvis, abdominal muscles, spinal muscles and diaphragm all participate in maintaining control of the trunk.
This is why a whole-body approach to movement can be useful.
Orthopedic Massage and the Diaphragm
Orthopedic massage therapy can consider the muscles and soft tissues that contribute to movement and comfort.
At OmassageT.com, the body is viewed as a connected system.
Depending on the individual, attention may include areas around the back, ribs, abdomen, pelvis, hips and surrounding structures.
The goal is not to force the body.
The approach is designed to be comfortable and pain-free while working with areas of tension and restriction.
Breathing, Balance and Stability
Balance and stability require your body to constantly make small adjustments.
Your feet, legs, hips, pelvis, spine and core all participate.
Breathing happens throughout the process.
This means breathing is occurring while you stand, walk and perform almost every movement you make.
When you think about movement this way, it becomes easier to understand why breathing can be an important part of overall body awareness.
Give Yourself Permission to Stop
One of the simplest things you can do during a busy day is stop.
Stop sitting.
Stop rushing.
Stop staring at the screen.
Take a breath.
Move your body.
Stretch comfortably.
Then continue.
Those small moments can help you reconnect with how your body feels.
If you experience pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness or other concerning symptoms, seek appropriate medical evaluation rather than assuming the symptoms are related to muscle tension.
Improving Strength, Power and Flexibility
At OmassageT.com in Grapevine, Texas, the focus is on Improving Strength, Power and Flexibility.
Those qualities are connected to how your entire body moves.
Your core, pelvis, spine, hips and diaphragm all participate in movement. Breathing is not separate from the process—it happens while you move.
Sometimes improving movement starts with something very simple:
Stop.
Breathe.
Move.
A whole-body approach to orthopedic massage therapy can help you become more aware of how the different parts of your body work together.
OmassageT.com
110 S Barton #6
Grapevine, Texas 76051
817-305-6548
