The Diaphragm: Beyond Breath (Part 3) A Key Player In Structural Support
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
By Gavin Buehler
Hopefully, you’ve been enjoying this series, where we’ve begun taking a deeper dive into the functions of the diaphragm and its supporting roles.
So far, we’ve explored:
The anatomy of the diaphragm
Breathing mechanics
Its important relationship with the lymphatic system
For this instalment, we’re going to look at another fascinating role of the diaphragm: structural support.
How Can a Thin Sheet of Tissue Provide Structural Support?
You might be questioning how on earth a thin sheath of soft tissue could provide any sort of structural support.
To answer this question, it’s easiest to refer you back to this article, where I explain how everything is connected and how fascial tension works to create structure.
But, as a quick refresher, think about setting up a tent.
The poles are like our bones. When we try to set them up on their own, they’re unstable, flimsy, and usually need a point pre-anchored to the fabric base of the tent to even stand at all.
But once we stretch the seemingly structureless fabric (soft tissue sheath) over the poles (bones) with the appropriate amount of tension, those flimsy poles become quite sturdy, creating a resilient structure.
Our bodies have seven key fascial tension bands (that we’re currently aware of) that can be thought of much like the fabric of a tent.
The diaphragm just happens to be the central portion of one of these fascial tension bands: the Deep Front Line.
Not only is it central to this band, but it also happens to sit at the centre of our entire body.
What Happens When the Tension Isn’t Balanced? - Click for a clip
Now, imagine you’ve set up a tent, but you’ve pulled the fabric a little too tight on one side and left it a little slack on the other.
Your tent still stands, but it’s kind of wonky — and certainly not as resilient as it would be if everything were tensioned appropriately and balanced.
Now imagine your diaphragm isn’t functioning quite the way it should and its tension is either too tight or too slack.
This could offset and affect how your entire structure stands and moves.
You’re essentially taking the centre of your body and shifting it.
Not only could this impact the stability of your structure, but it could also affect your proprioception and the way you move.
“Bullsh!t.”
Some of you might be thinking exactly that.
Fair opinion.
However, there have been several scientific studies conducted and papers published linking impaired diaphragmatic function with balance disorders. Here's just one for reference.
The Deep Front Line: Connecting the Whole Body
For a better visual of just how connected the diaphragm is throughout the entire body, I highly suggest checking out this quick walk-through of a cadaver dissection where the entire fascial Deep Front Line has been extracted and laid out.
Seeing this can give you a much better understanding of how dysfunction at one location in the body might not necessarily be felt at the actual point of dysfunction, but instead somewhere entirely different.
In other words, where you feel a problem isn’t necessarily where the problem begins.
The Diaphragm and the “Core Cannister”
The more commonly known role of structural support that the diaphragm is linked to is its position as one of the four key components creating the “core cannister” that we often refer to when discussing spinal stability.
The diaphragm contributes to this mechanism in two important ways:
First, it provides part of the physical structure of the core cannister.
Second, it is the primary driver controlling intra-abdominal pressure, which is one of the most important elements involved in spinal and pelvic support.
Dysregulation of intra-abdominal pressure could also affect the function of other structures and organs within the abdomen, as well as circulation.
I’ve previously posted an article outlining the core cannister concept, so I won’t repeat that information here.
Coming Up Next
We'll consider how the diaphragm can influence the nervous and endocrine systems as well as acid reflux.
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As always, these articles and videos are for entertainment and educational purposes only. Please consult a health professional before attempting new exercises or protocols, as the following suggestions may or may not be appropriate for you.
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