Diaphragm · Massage

Latin	Diaphragma
Origin	Sternal part: back of the xiphoid process Costal part: inner surfaces of the lower six costal cartilages and adjacent ribs (ribs 7–12) Lumbar part: right crus from the bodies of L1–L3, left crus from L1–L2, and the arcuate ligaments
Insertion	Central tendon (the flat top of the dome)
Action	Contract and flatten downwards to draw air into the lungs (the main muscle of quiet inhalation) Relax and rise back up during quiet exhalation Help raise pressure inside the abdomen, for example when coughing, lifting or giving birth
Nerve	Phrenic nerve (motor); outer edges also receive sensory fibres from the lower intercostal and subcostal nerves (C3–C5)
Name	Greek diaphragma, 'partition' or 'barrier' — it separates the chest from the abdomen.

Latin

Diaphragma

Origin

Sternal part: back of the xiphoid process
Costal part: inner surfaces of the lower six costal cartilages and adjacent ribs (ribs 7–12)
Lumbar part: right crus from the bodies of L1–L3, left crus from L1–L2, and the arcuate ligaments

Insertion

Central tendon (the flat top of the dome)

Action

Contract and flatten downwards to draw air into the lungs (the main muscle of quiet inhalation)
Relax and rise back up during quiet exhalation
Help raise pressure inside the abdomen, for example when coughing, lifting or giving birth

Nerve

Phrenic nerve (motor); outer edges also receive sensory fibres from the lower intercostal and subcostal nerves (C3–C5)

Name

Greek diaphragma, 'partition' or 'barrier' — it separates the chest from the abdomen.

Palpation

Direct palpation of the diaphragm is not practical at Cert IV level, because it sits inside the ribcage.

Client supine with a bolster under the knees; stand at the side of the table.

Rest your hands flat on the lower ribs and the soft area just below the front of the ribcage (the costal margin), either side of the xiphoid process.

Ask the client to breathe slowly into the belly; feel the abdomen rise and the lower ribs widen under your hands as the diaphragm descends, then soften as it relaxes.

The diaphragm does most of the work of quiet breathing. On the in-breath it contracts and flattens, which makes room for the lungs and gently pushes the abdominal contents down and out, so the belly rises. On a relaxed out-breath it simply lets go and domes back up. The external intercostals and Scalenes help it when breathing becomes deeper or faster. For forced exhalation (blowing hard, coughing) the abdominal muscles, such as Rectus abdominis and Transversus abdominis, press the abdomen in and push the diaphragm back up.

For massage, the diaphragm matters mainly for relaxation. Clients who are stressed often breathe fast and high in the chest, using the neck muscles more than the diaphragm. Slow, rhythmic strokes, a still resting hand on the lower ribs, and a simple cue such as “let the breath drop into your belly” can encourage slower, deeper breathing, which clients commonly report as calming (see Relaxation and the parasympathetic response). Gentle work along the costal margin is used in some remedial approaches, but always stay soft and ask for feedback.

Sources differ on the costal origin. The Wikipedia infobox lists ribs 6–12, while its text says the costal part arises from ribs 7–10. This note uses the usual textbook description: the lower six ribs and their costal cartilages (7–12).

Palpation

Techniques

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Sources