Restoring Vitality Through the Rib Cage and Beyond: Integrative Insights from a Workshop with Ron Murray, D.O

This past weekend, I attended an in-depth workshop led by osteopath Ron Murray, focusing on the rib cage, diaphragm and embryologic midline. This immersive training wasn’t about isolating dysfunction, but about understanding how all systems—structural, visceral, neurological, and fluid—interact through a unified midline to support true health.

The work explored how we can support the body not by simply correcting structure, but by restoring movement, pressure balance, and rhythm throughout the system. These are fundamental principles I carry into my practice as a Certified Rolfer®: we don’t chase symptoms—we support the body’s capacity to return to a more optimal, functional state.

The Embryologic Midline and Central Chain

One of the central frameworks presented was the embryologic midline, often referred to as the “central chain.” This axis includes deep, interconnected structures such as the third ventricle of the brain, the pituitary region, the heart and pericardium, the diaphragm, falciform ligament, root of the mesentery, and ultimately, the pelvic floor and perineal body.

These structures—each with hormonal, fascial, and fluid functions—are not isolated; they resonate as a single unit. When restrictions develop anywhere along this chain, they can disrupt function above and below. Understanding how to support this axis from both a structural and energetic perspective is essential to restoring the natural physiology of the body.

Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM) and Systemic Listening

A significant focus of the workshop was developing the ability to listen to the Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM)—a slow, involuntary, rhythmic motion expressed throughout the body, particularly through the cranium, spine, sacrum, and diaphragm. This is not related to pulmonary breathing, but rather to the deeper “breath of life” that influences cerebrospinal fluid, cranial motion, and autonomic tone.

When this rhythm is disturbed—by trauma, tension, or restriction—clients may experience a wide range of symptoms, from chronic pain to systemic fatigue. Many of our techniques focused on enhancing the expression of PRM by releasing dural restrictions, mobilizing the thoracic inlet, freeing the hyoid, and decompressing key ossification sites in the sternum and ribs.

Bone as a Living Tissue: Intraosseous Mobility

Another advanced layer of this work involved bone mobility, particularly at ossification centers in the sternobrae, clavicle, and ribs. These sites represent the developmental blueprint of our skeletal system. Through careful palpation and slow, spiral engagement, we accessed and released held tension in the bones themselves—what Ron referred to as “intraosseous breathing.”

When bones are restricted in this way, they can affect vascular flow, nervous system function, and lymphatic drainage. Restoring subtle motion in these structures supports the system as a whole, often creating downstream effects that reach far beyond the initial site of contact.

The Structural Connection: Fibula, Diaphragm, and Lymphatic Flow

The workshop also revealed the fascinating connection between the fibula and diaphragmatic function. A misaligned fibula—often seen with chronic ankle sprains—can indicate or contribute to a “down” kidney or a facilitated psoas. This, in turn, pulls on the spine and restricts the diaphragm’s ability to move efficiently.

Since diaphragmatic motion is critical for lymphatic and venous return, this seemingly small structural issue can have wide-reaching systemic effects. Through precise traction techniques and fascia-informed listening, we explored how freeing the fibula and supporting kidney mobility can help restore diaphragmatic excursion and, by extension, whole-body fluid movement.

From the Ground Up: Integration and Application

This integrative approach to the thorax and diaphragm involved techniques such as:

• Rib raising and sympathetic chain decompression

• Thoracic spine suspension and mobilization

• Thoracic inlet release to improve vascular and lymphatic drainage

• Bucket handle and pump-handle tracking to restore rib mechanics

• Manual techniques to unwind the crura of the diaphragm and lift restrictions from the arcuate ligaments

By the end of the weekend, it was clear that working with just one joint or structure in isolation misses the bigger picture. Everything is connected—from the way the clavicle rotates to how the spine curves in motion to the breathability of the bones themselves.

The Philosophy Behind the Work

Osteopathic medicine and Rolfing both share a core belief: when structure is aligned and fluid systems are unobstructed, the body has the innate ability to self-correct. As A.T. Still, the founder of osteopathy, so aptly said:

“Adjust the physiology so that health may express itself.”

This work is not about chasing symptoms or enforcing alignment. It’s about listening, restoring motion, and removing obstacles so the body’s inherent intelligence can function as intended.

Workshops like this not only deepen technical skill but also reaffirm the importance of approaching the body with reverence, precision, and respect for its complexity. It’s a reminder that when we listen deeply enough, the body tells us what it needs—and often, that means returning to its original design.