04/15/2026
Did you know your diaphragm can be too tight?
The diaphragm is the primary muscle of breathing. When it’s too tight, you may have trouble taking a deep breath. Additionally, it is a deep core muscle necessary for postural stability and core strength. So when it’s hypertonic, it can lead to a myriad of musculoskeletal issues including low back pain, hip pain, rib pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain.
How to check your diaphragm:
Lie down on your back with your knees bent, then hook your fingers under your ribcage right at the apex (just below the sternum), then slowly move your fingers down towards to the bottom of the ribcage laterally to your side (just above your hip bone). Any spots that are excessively tender or feel like a tight muscle (think of an overstretched rubber band) may be too tight. Hold your fingers in that spot and take deep breaths to release. It may not release all at once, take it easy and do over the next couple of weeks. Be gentle with yourself. The diaphragm can also hold pent up emotions that need releasing too.
While releasing the diaphragm in office, Dr. Hall has witnessed the pelvis release, improved mobility of the ribcage, the neck “pop”, and patients have reported a decrease in a myriad of pain symptoms.
A tight diaphragm can be indicative of abnormal biomechanics of the entire spine, ribcage, shoulder girdle, and even down into the lower extremity. Come get checked out so we can get your body moving the way it was meant to.
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Gentle Chiropractic | Trauma-Informed Care
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