When THE NECK IS TIGHT,THE MUSCLES ARE FIRING ACROSS THE VAGUS NERVE THROWING THE CELIAC GANGLION (WHICH DOMINATES THE DIAPHRAGM) AND MAY PUT IT INTO SPASM.
A SIGNIFICANT SIGN OF THIS IS THE INABILITY TO ABDOMINAL OR BELLY BREATHE. MANY PEOPLE ARE LIMITED TO CHEST BREATHING, WHICH DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OXYGEN TO THE HEART AND BRAIN. I HAVE SEEN THIS REPEATEDLY IN BELLY OR SIDE SLEEPERS.
BECAUSE THE UNDERLYING SPASM PRODUCES A CASCADE OF RELATED NEGATIVE EFFECTS, IT IS USUALLY ONLY ADDRESSED BY OSTEOPATHS OR PRACTIONERS WHO HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF RELEASING THE ASSOCIATED TISSUE STRUCTURES. DEPENDING ON THE DURATION OF THE COMPLAINT, THE THORAX ABILITY TO MOVE WITH THE DIAPHRAGM BECOMES GRADUALLY MORE FIXED, UNTIL THE THORAX BECOMES LIKE A SOLID BELL TO BE LIFTED OFF THE LUNGS BY THE NECK AND SHOULDERS LIKE A CRANE, THEN DROPPING LIKE A PILEDRIVER TO ATTEMPT MOVING OXYGEN TO THE HEART AND BRAIN.
SINCE CHEST BREATHING MIMICS THE FIGHT/FLIGHT RESPONSE, THE BODY REACTION IS MORE DISTRESS AND MUSCLE SPLINTING, REQUIRING 20 MAGNITUDES more energy.
Consider an alligator only able to slither along, until fight/flight response initiates muscle splinting which enables the gator to outrun a quarterhorse or human for 50 feet.
As the human abdomen is consistently accomodating changes induced by muscle splinting, the lymphatic systems ability to lubricate and profuse through tissue becomes increasingly impaired. I have seen this especially in patients whose diagnosis is 'dry eye(s)'. With little or no relief from conventional approachs, the patient only comfort becomes their enduring complaint.
Releasing the lymphatic entrapments usually provides relief in 15-30 minutes by using the specific , gentle(3-5 lbs of pressure) manipulative technique. It would be interesting to see what results might be achieved with this simple technique for those with IOP... and then again maybe the clinical benefits may speak for themselves
Best Wishes, Pran
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