What is abdominophrenic dyssynergia?

Abdominophrenic dyssynergia is a coordination problem between the diaphragm and abdominal muscles that can cause abdominal bloating and distension without excess gas or food.

Why do I look bloated even when I barely eat?

With abdominophrenic dyssynergia, bloating is often caused by muscle coordination and pressure-management patterns rather than food volume.

Is abdominophrenic dyssynergia related to pelvic floor dysfunction?

Yes. The diaphragm and pelvic floor work together as part of the core pressure system, so dysfunction in one can affect the other.

Can pelvic health physical therapy help abdominophrenic dyssynergia?

Yes. Pelvic health physical therapy can retrain breathing mechanics, rib mobility, abdominal wall coordination, pelvic floor timing, and nervous system regulation.

Is abdominophrenic dyssynergia the same as IBS?

Not exactly. Symptoms can overlap, but abdominophrenic dyssynergia is primarily a neuromuscular coordination issue rather than a primary digestive disorder.

How long does it take to improve abdominophrenic dyssynergia?

Many people notice improvements within weeks with consistent therapy, though timelines vary based on contributing factors like stress, posture, postpartum changes, and pelvic floor involvement.

Why Your Body Feels Pulled or Stiff (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right)

May 3

Written By Dr. Erin Policelli, DPT

You’re doing the right things. You’re stretching, moving, and paying attention to your body. And still, certain areas don’t feel right. Not necessarily painful. Just off. Pulled. Stiff in a way that doesn’t seem to match how much effort you’re putting in.

That’s usually the point where people double down on the area that feels the worst.

And that’s often where things start to stall.

When the problem isn’t where you feel it

The body doesn’t work in isolated pieces. What you feel in one area is often influenced by what’s happening somewhere else. That’s why stretching the spot that feels the most restricted doesn’t always lead to lasting change .

The symptom shows up in one place.

The driver is somewhere else.

We see this all the time. Neck tension that tracks back to rib cage positioning. Hip restriction that’s tied to trunk control. Shoulder tightness that doesn’t shift until upper back mobility improves. The body adapts in patterns, not isolated points.

Why local stretching doesn’t change the pattern

It makes sense to focus on what feels tight. That’s where your attention goes. But if that area is compensating for something else, stretching it directly won’t fix the underlying issue.

It may feel better temporarily.

But the pattern stays the same.

That’s why people feel like they’re chasing the same spots over and over again without anything really sticking.

How tissue connections influence movement

Your body is connected through layers of tissue that help distribute force and coordinate movement. When one area isn’t moving well, that tension doesn’t stay local. It gets transferred.

A restriction in the rib cage can show up in the neck. Limited trunk control can change how the hips feel. Upper back stiffness can influence how the shoulders move.

You’re not just dealing with one tight spot.

You’re dealing with how the system is working as a whole .

Why sequencing and positioning matter

Even when you’re targeting the right areas, how you do it matters. If the body isn’t positioned well, or if things aren’t addressed in the right order, the system will keep defaulting to the same pattern.

That’s where people start to feel frustrated.

They’re doing the right things.

Just not in a way the body can use.

What actually helps shift the pattern

Lasting change usually comes from looking at how the body is working together, not just focusing on one area. It’s about addressing what’s driving the pattern, not just where it shows up.

That often includes:

addressing tissue restrictions where they exist
improving positioning so the right areas are being targeted
working through movement in a way the body can actually use

When those pieces come together, the pattern starts to shift instead of just temporarily improving.

This is where assisted stretching can be helpful. It allows for more precise positioning and guided input, which makes it easier to address how different areas are working together.

At STRETCH Kinetics, the focus is on improving how your body moves as a system, not just increasing flexibility in one area.

What this means for you

If something keeps coming back, it’s probably not just about that one spot.

It’s about how your body is distributing tension and movement overall.

Once that changes, things start to feel different.

And more importantly, they stay that way.

Q&A

Why do I still feel stiff even when I stretch regularly?
Because stiffness often comes from how different parts of your body are working together, not just the area you feel.

Can tightness come from somewhere else in the body?
Yes. Restrictions and movement patterns in one area can affect how another area feels and moves.

References

Wilke, J., Krause, F., Vogt, L., & Banzer, W. (2016). What is evidence-based about myofascial chains: A systematic review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97(3), 454–461.

Myers, T. W. (2020). Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists (4th ed.). Elsevier.

Stecco, C., Macchi, V., Porzionato, A., Duparc, F., & De Caro, R. (2011). The fascia: The forgotten structure. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 116(3), 127–138.

body stiffnesmovement patternsfascia connectionsmobility issuesassisted stretchingstretch therapy atlanta

Dr. Erin Policelli, DPT

Erin is the founder and owner of STRETCH Kinetics in Atlanta. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from LA College in 1998, she worked in the Pediatric Department at Woman's & Children's Hospital in Lafayette, LA and in the NICU at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. In 2002, she graduated from Duke University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She received her first certification in Stretch Therapy from the Stretch to Win Institute in 2004. With over 13 years of STRETCH experience, she is currently a Level 2 Fascial Stretch Therapist™ and has also studied Table Thai Massage. Erin is certified in NeuroCoreKinetics, a Pilates based exercise method utilizing flexibility, strength, neuro-motor control and proprioceptive training for the core muscular system . She has worked with high level executives as well as high level athletes, including former NBA player Charles Barkley, former Atlanta Falcons player Keith Brooking and former Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saint's player Curtis Lofton.

http://www.STRETCHKinetics.com