The diaphragm

A colleague wrote the wise words : "Breath is the hinge on which the door of life swings"

Before I start, lets make it clear the diaphragm is involved in all the bodies systems and here I am just putting a small issue on the screen. It would be impossible for me to cover them all.


Trying to simplifying extremely complicated connections in the body in order to bring awareness and open a discussion.

The diaphragm - the diaphragm is a dome-shaped musculotendinous sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
The muscular part of the diaphragm is peripheral, surrounding the central tendinous area.

During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts to increase the volume of the thoracic cavity, decreasing its pressure, thus drawing air in.
The diaphragm relaxes for expiration.
 

The diaphragm is more then a muscle for respiration,
it is THE PUMP for the entire body!

Research in humans has found that the below symptoms can be linked to a dysfunctional diaphragm. So something to think about !

* Irritable bowel syndrome - think of those horses that have unexplained intermittent diarrhea or colic frequently.
* Chronic lower back pain - most horses have lumbar pain at some point.
* Chronic pelvic pain - most horse have some pelvic discomfort and /or SI issues
* Chronic headache - most horses get headaches.
* Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
* Depression and anxiety - weavers , cribbers, spookers, the angry horses and the opposite too, you know the types : dead broke bomb proof horses that just don't seem to care any more.


It is important to remember how we affect the horse neurologically and physiologically by tacking up a horse and riding ; essentially we sit on their diaphragm.

Just one to keep in mind when you see one of the symptoms above !