All disease is multi faceted.
It is always important to consider the issues that might be not helping whatever the condition is and try to have a multi faceted approach to improvement.
The heart sits in position on the left side of the thorax.
The covering of the Heart, the Pericardium, a strong connective tissue bag, is attached to the sternum, the diaphragm and the thorasic spine.
The thorax, the spine, ribs and breast bone, the diaphragm along with the Pericardium supports and protects the heart.
To optimise the function of the heart we should consider the function of the thorax.
This is Osteopath stuff.
Blood flow to the heart muscle occurs during the relaxation phase of the heart beat. The diastolic phase, the pressure of which is indicated by the lower number when you have your blood pressure taken.
The Pericardium can inhibit the relaxation phase by being too tight.
In the acute condition this is called Pericarditis, symptoms may include sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, slight fever and swelling in the legs and abdomen. You should obviously seek medical help with this.
If the thorax is working well it will help the Pericardium to maintain its function and let the heart to go more easily through its pumping action with an optimal tension around Heart by the Pericardium.
Breathing with the diaphragm, and exercising the thorax to improve movement of the ribs and spine will help the Pericardium and the heart within it.
This is especially important in these days when such a lot of the working population sit at a computer.
An Osteopath can improve the movement and function of the thorax, help you get the diaphragm working better and show you how to maintain it which for a few minutes a day is very easy.
Think function – Think Osteopathy.