The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Myofascial Relationships, Part 2

Fascial Nomenclature: Update 2021, Part 2

The fascial continuum is a topic of debate, in particular, its classification into a nomenclature that researchers and medical figures can agree on. Most likely, the difficulty in finding the uniqueness of this topic lies in the fact that only some scientific figures with certain specialties write articles to state their point of view. We know, however, that a matter that involves the human body cannot be taken into consideration only by some scientific arguments, but by all the notions capable of completing a multidisciplinary and impartial vision. The fascia, too often, becomes a destination for earning and selling, to the detriment of the entire scientific community. The second part of the article on fascial nomenclature tries to obtain a new definition of what could be considered the fascial continuum, based on the most innovative information in the literature; the ultimate goal is to give free reflections on the subject in full intellectual freedom.

The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Neurological Relationships, Part 2

The main objective of the osteopath and that of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is to create space between the different tissues. The sliding capacity of the various tissue layers and between the different body components, up to the possibility of movement between cells is the salutogenic stimulus to allow the circulation of fluids, the biochemical exchange, and the adequate management of the multiple internal and external stimuli that perturb the body living. Movement is allowed by space and space is life. In this second part, the exposure of the anatomical neurological relationships of the five diaphragms continues, highlighting the relationships of the thoracic outlet, the respiratory diaphragm, and the pelvic floor. Finally, there will be clinical reflections to further corroborate the existence of the anatomical continuum and to lay the scientific foundations for an OMM approach to body diaphragms.

The Five Diaphragms in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: Neurological Relationships, Part 1

In osteopathic manual medicine (OMM), there are several approaches for patient assessment and treatment. One of these is the five diaphragm model (tentorium cerebelli, tongue, thoracic outlet, diaphragm, and pelvic floor), whose foundations are part of another historical model: respiratory-circulatory. The myofascial continuity, anterior and posterior, supports the notion the human body cannot be divided into segments but is a continuum of matter, fluids, and emotions. In this first part, the neurological relationships of the tentorium cerebelli and the lingual muscle complex will be highlighted, underlining the complex interactions and anastomoses, through the most current scientific data and an accurate review of the topic. In the second part, I will describe the neurological relationships of the thoracic outlet, the respiratory diaphragm and the pelvic floor, with clinical reflections. In literature, to my knowledge, it is the first time that the different neurological relationships of these anatomical segments have been discussed, highlighting the constant neurological continuity of the five diaphragms.