12/08/2025
DIAPHRAGM
This beautiful muscle is so much more than just our breathing muscle.
In osteopathy it is a key structure due to its many significant connections including:
1. Posture and ‘core’ stability: it plays a crucial role in ‘core’ stability, working in coordination with abdominal and spinal muscles to maintain posture.
2. Myofascial Connections: The diaphragm is linked to various muscles and fascial tissues throughout the body, forming a continuous network. These connections extend from the pelvic floor to the head and neck, highlighting the diaphragm’s influence on the entire body.
3. Respiratory-Circulatory Model: Osteopathy utilises the “respiratory-circulatory model,” which emphasises the interconnectedness of breathing, circulation, and overall body function.
The diaphragm is a central part of this model, and its movement impacts the circulation of fluids and the nervous system.
4. Five Diaphragms: Osteopathic medicine also recognises the concept of “five diaphragms,” which include the tentorium cerebelli (in the head), the tongue, the thoracic outlet, the respiratory diaphragm, and the pelvic floor.
5. Neurological Connections: The diaphragm is innervated by the phrenic nerve, which originates in the neck and can be influenced by spinal and cranial restrictions.
Wow what a muscle!