The Bismarck Tribune

YOU should KNOW
your
Diaphragm

Singers and readers or elocutionists say that belly breathing improves their style. Persons who stutter or stammer report that belly breathing brings better control of speech. Persons past middle age find that it tends to lower high blood pressure. "Nervous" persons use belly breathing to get to sleep at night. Those subject to hiccoughs or much belching get relief by means of belly breathing. Asthmatic sufferers declare that belly breathing keeps them more comfortable. Young women who have menstrual difficulties obtain permanent relief by the regular practice of this natural breathing. Victims of chronic "catarrhal" trouble in nose or throat note a definite improvement after a few weeks of the simple exercise in relaxation. Sufferers from chronic digestive disturbances due to liver and gall-bladder troubles, commonly associated with hemorrhoids, in many instances obtain considerable relief by practicing belly breathing.

In order to comprehend how such a simple exercise can be beneficial in so many diverse conditions it is necessary to have an elementary knowledge of the physiology of the diaphragm. Briefly the diaphragm is a muscle which works automatically yet is to a certain degree under control of the will. It is stretched across the trunk or body cavity in the position of an inverted soup plate. It divides the upper part of the cavity, the thorax or chest, from the lower part, or abdomen. The great membranous muscle is stretched over the liver, stomach and other organs like a tarpaulin over a wheatstack. When the diaphragm contracts it moves downward, increasing the capacity of the chest cavity and producing the inspiration or intake of air. This is accomplished without any conscious or active muscular effort whatever.