Sore shoulders or tight traps is something a lot of us suffer from.
But did you know the source of your tight traps is not always due to poor posture? The actual cause is often a tight diaphragm!
How? Via dysfunction of the Phrenic Nerve. Let me explain…
The Phrenic Nerve originates in the cervical spine and connects to the main muscle responsible for breathing, the diaphragm. If tightness occurs in the diaphragm from poor breathing mechanics or anxiety, this can cause a stiff or tight neck which doesn’t get resolved by stretching or traditional rehabilitation methods.
Conversely, if you have stiffness in your neck from poor posture, training habits, or stress this can cause stiffness in the… no points for this one, the diaphragm.
It can be a chicken or the egg situation, but regardless of the root cause breathing is kinda important for absolutely every living being!
Hypopressives are unique as you can provide your diaphragm with a myofascial release (stretch). There just isn’t a better way to release your diaphragm than that.
The best method I have found to release tight traps is dry needling. If you have built up a pattern in your nervous system over time resulting in overly dominant traps you will also need to strengthen your mid and lower traps to reset the optimal function.
Just another reason why Hypopressives are so freakin amazing!