How the Diaphragm Helps Maintain Proper Posture

Breathing Properly to Fix the Lower Back Problem

In a previous post, we have discussed the importance of a relaxed diaphragm and how it helps to regulate all of the major internal organs of the body. Often the diaphragm can be constricted due to the forward flexion of the human body, causing problems especially within the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Now we are going to discuss how the diaphragm can help the musculo-skeletal aspect of the body especially when it pertains to maintaining a proper posture.

Iliopsoas muscles can become tight and restricted under many circumstances. The most common cause is that due to being seated for a long period of time. Due to sedentary lifestyles of working in front of a desk or commuting for many hours within a day in a seated position, the body is constantly in a seated position. It is during these long hours that causes these muscles to contract and eventually get ‘stuck’. When the iliopsoas becomes shortened and tightened, a primary pain symptom in the lower back develops especially when a person rises from a seated position or complains when they have to ‘bend forward’ to pick up something. A person would typically walk in ‘bent over’ posture to get any relief from the pain in the lower back.

There are many treatment options for this condition ranging from doing stretches to getting acupuncture, to properly release any tension of this muscle. One of the simplest things to do is to breathe through the diaphragm or the stomach. This is a simple exercise that can relax and increase the function of both the diaphragm and the iliopsoas muscles. Ideally, the person should be laying on their back have them breathe slowly and rhythmically. The key is when the person is inhaling, they shoulder fully expand the stomach (the stomach should be expanded at its fullest), causing the iliopsoas muscle to be stretched. Once stretched, the person then should exhale slowly (approximately twice as long it took them to inhale). This action should be done at minimum 20- 30 times per day. It is important to remember that if the diaphragm is expanded to its fullest, the lower portion of it also stretches the iliopsoas muscles.

Fast Relief Acupuncture has a very safe and effective treatment protocol in assisting/ guiding the body to naturally fix its posture along with the functional improvement of the diaphragm. The treatment consists of properly aligning the patient’s body along by releasing/ relieving any restricted muscles that can hinder a patient from standing upright. It is gentle, effective, and importantly can have long lasting results without the use of chemical substances or invasive surgeries. Call today and get back into the game fast  with Fast Relief Acupuncture!