The Nervous System
VALVE SYSTEM EXPLANATION
The body has a series of valves, also called diaphragms, that are responsible for effectively operating major systems of the body. Respiration, circulation, digestion, hormone regulation and cerebral spinal fluid pumping are just a few of the mechanisms under valve system control. These valves are not the open-and-close type like in the heart; instead, they function more like pumps. Each valve is made of muscle, tissue, and bone structures in the body. One is the diaphragm, which is a horizontal, mostly flat layer in the rib cage that moves upon every inhalation and exhalation.
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Another valve is the pelvic floor, and there are
The pumping of the diaphragms, or valves, allows blood and fluids to circulate throughout the body
others located in the head, neck, feet, and spinal column. These valves pump in coordination with breath and with each other. This pumping function not only circulates blood and fluids throughout the body, it also creates internal pressure, which allows us to hold shape and respond to external forces pushing in on the body.
The pumping of the valves creates peristalsis, wave-like muscular contractions which allow the digestive process to occur, among other functions.
When the body is in the fight-or-flight nervous system state, valve function is altered, and this impedes many critical body functions. There are often compensatory patterns to take over the most critical functions, such as respiration, but the compensatory patterns don’t provide optimal functioning.
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Stanley Keleman’s book Emotional Anatomy provides a more in depth explanation of the valve system, and is an excellent visual resource for showing the location of the valves and illustrating the concept of internal pressure.
