The relationship between breathing function, diaphragm and the core

Abstract

The diaphragm has been long-known as main gas exchange muscle for survival. However it has been revealed that breathing has many functions other than gas exchange, such as spinal decompression, postural stability, fluid dynamics, visceral health, and emotional regulation. For increasing attention to the core stability along with respiration, this article will review the fundamental structure and core stability function of the diaphragm as well as the recent research for low back pain. Then based on the diaphragmatic contribution to the core stability and low back pain, this article will discuss possibility of breathing exercises to normalize diaphragmatic position and function.