The Continuity of the Body: Hypothesis of Treatment of the Five Diaphragms

Abstract

The diaphragm muscle should not be seen as a segment but as part of a body system. This muscle is an important crossroads of information for the entire body, from the trigeminal system to the pelvic floor, passing from thoracic diaphragm to the floor of the mouth: the network of breath. Viola Frymann first spoke of the treatment of three diaphragms, and more recently four diaphragms have been discussed. Current scientific knowledge has led to discussion of the manual treatment of five diaphragms. This article highlights the anatomic connections and fascial and neurologic aspects of the diaphragm muscle, with four other structures considered as diaphragms: that is, the five diaphragms. The logic of the manual treatment proposed here is based on a concept and diagnostic work that should be the basis for any area of the body: The patient never just has a localized symptom but rather a system that adapts to a question.

The Five Diaphragms in Patients Following Cardiac Surgery in Sternotomy: An Observational Study

“…With current scientific knowledge, we can speak of the manual treatment of the 5 diaphragms: diaphragm muscle, pelvic floor, the buccal floor, the thoracic outlet and the tentorium of the cerebellum. It is possible to highlight the connections between all these structures, with fascial links and neurological continuity [14].…”

“…For instance, if during inhalation the main inspiratory muscle descends, there will be a corresponding lowering of the pelvic floor [14]. The pelvic diaphragm not only plays a significant role in supporting the pelvic organs and in resisting increasing pressure, but it also affects the correct functionality of respiration [14].…”

“…For instance, if during inhalation the main inspiratory muscle descends, there will be a corresponding lowering of the pelvic floor [14]. The pelvic diaphragm not only plays a significant role in supporting the pelvic organs and in resisting increasing pressure, but it also affects the correct functionality of respiration [14]. The retroambigus nucleus -which is an important monitoring centre for phrenic medullary areas and is housed in the medulla oblongata or socalled bulb-controls the abdominal muscles as well [14].…”

“…The pelvic diaphragm not only plays a significant role in supporting the pelvic organs and in resisting increasing pressure, but it also affects the correct functionality of respiration [14]. The retroambigus nucleus -which is an important monitoring centre for phrenic medullary areas and is housed in the medulla oblongata or socalled bulb-controls the abdominal muscles as well [14]. 14 This means that respiration needs to be supported by the pelvic floor, in order to properly control the pressure of intra-abdominal liquid.…”

“…14 This means that respiration needs to be supported by the pelvic floor, in order to properly control the pressure of intra-abdominal liquid. It is probable that these same areas, which are connected to the motoneurons of the buccal floor, send the premotor order to the pelvic zone [14].…”