How similar are the neuromuscular responses to pain with Chronic low back pain and GI pain?

Join Susan and Erica in a great discussion of the role of the diaphragm and how this changes with pain and inhibition/over-recruitment in the system.

In chronic low back pain and abdominal bloating/distention the diaphragm becomes a postural control muscle which greatly limits the respiratory ability along with an ineffectual model for spine stiffness and visceral organ pusher.

This is an excellent discussion following the podcast episode 185.

A glance at this episode:

• [3:13] How lying on back affects breathing and posture
• [7:42] Abdominal wall dysfunction and its impact on GI function and low back pain
• [12:05] Abdominal diaphragm dysfunction in chronic low back pain
• [19:43] Diaphragm and abdominal wall dysfunction in chronic low back pain
• [25:24] Abdominal wall deficits and breathwork for chronic low back pain
• [31:43] Treating gas and bloating through pelvic health therapy
• [38:24] Treating GI dysfunction and Cushing’s syndrome

Related links:

• Tough To Treat Website
• Erica’s Course: Decoding the Complex Patient
• Susan’s Pelvic Health Education Subscription
• Access the Transcript

1) Kolar P, Sulc J, Kyncl M, Sanda J, Cakrt O, Andel R, Kumagai K, Kobesova A. Postural function of the diaphragm in persons with and without chronic low back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012 Apr;42(4):352-62. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3830. Epub 2011 Dec 21. PMID: 22236541.

2) Villoria A, Azpiroz F, Burri E, Cisternas D, Soldevilla A, Malagelada JR. Abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia in patients with abdominal bloating and distension. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 May;106(5):815-9. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2010.408. Erratum in: Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 Jul;106(7):1405. PMID: 21540894.

3) Sicilia-Gomez C, Fernández-Carnero S, Martin-Perez A, Cuenca-Zaldívar N, Naranjo-Cinto F, Pecos-Martín D, Cervera-Cano M, Nunez-Nagy S. Abdominal and Pelvic Floor Activity Related to Respiratory Diaphragmatic Activity in Subjects with and without Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022 Oct 18;12(10):2530. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12102530. PMID: 36292219; PMCID: PMC9600311.