Why the Diaphragm Muscle Deserves More Attention in Massage Therapy

When we think about massage therapy, muscles like the trapezius, hamstrings, or lower back often come to mind. But there’s one essential muscle that’s often overlooked—yet it plays a central role in our physical and emotional well-being: the diaphragm.

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that sits below your lungs and separates the thoracic (chest) cavity from the abdominal cavity. It’s the primary muscle used in breathing. Every time you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, creating space for your lungs to expand. When you exhale, it relaxes and rises, helping air move out of the lungs.

But the diaphragm does much more than just facilitate breathing—it’s deeply connected to posture, core stability, digestion, and even emotional stress.

More specifically, proper diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body enter a rest-and-digest state. This kind of breathing can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve overall relaxation—making massage more effective.

The diaphragm works closely with the pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, and multifidus to support the spine and maintain core stability. Tension or dysfunction in the diaphragm can lead to poor posture, back pain, and decreased athletic performance.

The diaphragm is sensitive to emotional stress. Many people unknowingly hold tension in their breathing pattern, often restricting their breath in response to anxiety or trauma. Releasing tension in the diaphragm can support emotional release and healing.

Because of its central location, the diaphragm interacts with numerous muscle groups and fascial planes. Restrictions here can cause a ripple effect, contributing to pain or tightness in the shoulders, neck, lower back, or hips.

The role of massage therapy in our healthcare system

Massage therapy plays a vital and increasingly recognized role in Canada’s healthcare system. Often misunderstood as simply a luxury, massage therapy is a regulated, evidence-based practice delivered by Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) who are trained to treat a wide range of conditions—from chronic pain and injuries to stress and anxiety. As the population ages and healthcare demands grow, massage therapy offers an accessible, non-invasive way to support overall wellness and reduce reliance on emergency and primary care services.

The health benefits of massage therapy are wide-reaching. It can improve circulation, mobility, immune function, and mental health, while reducing pain, inflammation, and stress. This makes it an essential tool not just for physical rehabilitation, but also for mental and emotional well-being. With more Canadian insurance providers covering massage therapy, it is increasingly seen as a necessary part of holistic, preventative healthcare—rather than just a wellness luxury.

Massage therapy is also becoming more integrated into team-based care models across Canada, especially in clinics that include physiotherapists, chiropractors, and family doctors. This collaborative approach improves patient outcomes and enhances the efficiency of the healthcare system. By investing in preventative therapies like massage, Canada can create a more sustainable system that keeps people healthier for longer and reduces the strain on traditional medical services.

The benefits of massage therapy on mental health

In our fast-paced world, the demands of everyday life can take a toll on both our physical and mental health. From stressful work schedules to personal challenges, it’s easy for stress and anxiety to build up, leaving us feeling overwhelmed. While many of us are familiar with the benefits of physical exercise or meditation, one of the most effective and often overlooked ways to manage stress and boost mental health is through massage therapy.

Massage therapy plays a key role in reducing stress by promoting relaxation. It does this by lowering cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, and stimulating the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine—both of which are known for enhancing mood and promoting feelings of happiness. By relaxing your body, massage helps reduce the physiological effects of stress and allows your mind to relax as well, offering a sense of peace and calm.

The act of physical touch itself can be deeply comforting, offering a safe space to unwind. Furthermore, the endorphins released during a massage can boost your mood and bring a sense of emotional well-being. For individuals struggling with low energy, sadness, or constant worry, regular massage sessions can act as a supplement to other mental health treatments, offering a valuable source of comfort and emotional balance.

During a massage, the body enters a parasympathetic state (also known as the "rest and digest" mode), where the heart rate slows, muscles release tension, and the nervous system becomes less reactive. This relaxation can counteract the effects of chronic anxiety or stress, leaving you feeling recharged and more focused in your day-to-day life.

How massage therapy can reduce headaches and tmj issues

Headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are common issues that affect many people, causing discomfort and disruption to daily life. Whether you’re suffering from tension headaches, migraines, or jaw pain from TMJ dysfunction, massage therapy can offer significant relief.

One of the most common causes of headaches, particularly tension headaches, is the buildup of tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and scalp. Stress, poor posture, and long hours spent at a desk or in front of a screen can lead to tight muscles, which then trigger headache pain. Some specific techniques used for headaches are trigger point therapy, scalp massage and neck and shoulder massage.

Trigger point therapy is a technique that focuses on specific points of tightness in the muscles that are referred to as "trigger points." By applying pressure to these points, massage can reduce muscle knots and the associated pain.

More specifically for TMJ disorders, this refers to problems with the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, often resulting in pain, clicking, and difficulty moving the jaw. TMJ issues can be caused by various factors, including teeth grinding, jaw clenching, poor posture, and stress.

Massage therapy can help relieve TMJ pain by addressing the muscles around the jaw, neck, and head. These muscles are often tight and overworked, contributing to jaw discomfort and dysfunction. Some specific techniques used for TMJ pain are myofascial release, jaw and facial massage as well as neck and shoulder massage.

Myofascial release: This technique focuses on gentle, sustained pressure to release muscle tightness and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). For TMJ, this can help release tension in the jaw muscles and surrounding areas.