You must have felt at some point some connection between walking and the way you breathe. Let us note that this feeling of yours is absolutely true, and we can say that the connection between these two actions is made by the interconnection between the diaphragm and the so-called psoas muscle.
Before we go into more detail though, let's give a little more clarity on the two main characters in this article, namely the diaphragm and the psoas muscle.
The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle. It is a wide muscle that separates the thoracic from the abdominal cavity. It forms two domes, left and right, which protrude towards the chest cavity. When the diaphragm shortens, its two domes descend downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity - inspiration takes place. The lower border of the diaphragm passes along the lower edge of the last rib.
The psoas muscle is part of the large muscle, the Iliopsoas. The iliopsoas is made up of three smaller muscles that have long tendons- the psoas major, psoas minor and the iliocus. The important feature of this muscle is that it is the connecting link between the spine and the lower limb. The fibers of the muscle start from the transverse processes of the last thoracic vertebra and the four lumbar vertebrae. Walking is provided by the consistent work of the two psoas muscles, which provide normal movement of the lower limbs and pelvis as well as the necessary rotation of the vertebrae of the spine.
As already mentioned, there is a connection between the psoas muscle and the diaphragm muscle that literally connects the act of walking to that of breathing. Also the diaphragm has two ligaments of called the crura that attach to the spine at the points where the psoas muscle begins. One of the ligaments (ligaments) of the diaphragm is passed over the top of the psoas muscle.
A direct connection between these two muscles is also made by the fascia that wraps them. Throughout the body there are various fascial chains that encompass certain muscle groups, it is such a chain that connects the diaphragmatic muscle to the psoas muscle as well as to other muscles of the thigh.
The inevitable connection between the work of these two large and extremely important muscles is a prerequisite for any problems or complaints in cases where one of them is not working properly. Therefore, in some cases, if you have low back pain, some dysfunction in the work of the diaphragm muscle may also be the cause.
