“Your Diaphragm Is Stuck in Survival Mode — Here’s How Bowen Therapy Helps Release It”
- jacquihoitingh
- Nov 18
- 2 min read
If you’ve been feeling tense, wired, tired, overwhelmed, short of breath, or like your body just won’t switch off… your diaphragm may be the hidden reason.
Most people think the diaphragm is “just a breathing muscle.”
But in reality, it’s the emotional, structural, and neurological crossroads of the whole body.
When the diaphragm tightens — everything tightens.
Breathing… digestion… the psoas… sleep… posture… stress levels… mood…
And one of the most effective ways to release a restricted diaphragm is through Bowen Therapy.
Here’s why.
The Diaphragm: Your Emotional Shock Absorber
Every time you brace your belly… hold your breath… or react to stress… you’re loading pressure into the diaphragm.
Over time, it becomes lifted, tight, and restricted.
You might notice:
A tight chest
Shallow breathing
Neck or shoulder tension
Digestive issues
Fatigue
Anxiety
Back pain
Feeling “stuck in fight-or-flight”
This is not weakness.
It’s a survival pattern.
How the Diaphragm Affects the Vagus Nerve
The diaphragm is the “gateway” for the vagus nerve — the nerve that tells your body to relax, digest, heal, and reset.
When the diaphragm gets tight, the vagus nerve cannot send those calming messages properly.
You end up feeling:
• Wired
• Overwhelmed
• Restless
• Unable to switch off
• Emotionally overloaded
A tight diaphragm = a tight nervous system.
How Bowen Therapy Helps the Diaphragm Release
Bowen therapy works with the nervous system, not against it.
The gentle moves around the ribs, psoas, solar plexus, and fascia tell the body:
“You’re safe. You can soften now.”
Clients often notice:
A deep involuntary sigh
A wave of calm
More space in the chest
Shoulders dropping
The ability to breathe again
Reduction in anxiety
A sense of “being back in my body”
Bowen doesn’t force the diaphragm.
It invites a new pattern.
Why the Diaphragm Affects So Many Other Areas
When the diaphragm is stuck, your body must compensate.
This can lead to:
• Lower back pain
• A tight psoas
• Rib pain
• Hip misalignment
• Digestive discomfort
• Neck strain
• Shallow breathing
• Chronic stress patterns
When the diaphragm finally releases — even slightly — the domino effect is incredible.
If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, Your Diaphragm Probably Is Too
A few questions to ask yourself:
Do I feel like I never get a full breath?
Do my shoulders always feel tense?
Do I breathe into my chest instead of my belly?
Am I tired but wired?
Do I get overwhelmed easily?
If you said yes to any of these, your diaphragm is likely asking for support.
Bowen therapy is one of the gentlest and most effective ways to help it reset.
READY TO FEEL YOUR BREATH AGAIN?
If you’d like to experience how Bowen can release tension you didn’t even know you were holding…
Book a session with me.
Your whole body — and your nervous system — will thank you.
Listen to the full podcast here:
Comments