View source for Getting the wind knocked out of you

{{Short description|English idiom referring to a diaphragm spasm after an abdomen injury}}
[[File:Celiac plexus coronal.png|thumb|upright|Approximate location of the solar plexus]]
'''Getting the wind knocked out of you''' is an [[idiom]] that refers to the [[dyspenea|difficulty of breathing]] and temporary [[paralysis]] of the [[thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]] caused by '''phrenospasm''', the reflexive diaphragmatic [[spasm]] that occurs when sudden force is applied to the [[epigastrium|upper central region of the abdomen]] and the [[solar plexus]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=McGown |first=Andy T. |date=2004-01-01 |title=Blunt Abdominal and Chest Trauma |url=https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijatt/9/1/article-p40.xml |journal=International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training |language=en-US |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=40–41 |doi=10.1123/att.9.1.40 |issn=1078-7895|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Intravia |first1=Jessica M. |last2=DeBerardino |first2=Thomas M. |date=2013-04-01 |title=Evaluation of Blunt Abdominal Trauma |url=https://www.sportsmed.theclinics.com/article/S0278-5919(12)00101-9/abstract |journal=Clinics in Sports Medicine |language=English |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=211–218 |doi=10.1016/j.csm.2012.12.001 |issn=0278-5919 |pmid=23522502|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This often happens in [[contact sport]]s, from a forceful blow to the abdomen, or by falling on the back.

The sensation of being unable to breathe can lead to anxiety and there may be residual pain from the original blow, but the condition typically clears spontaneously in a minute or two.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Barrett |first1=Cassie |last2=Smith |first2=Danny |date=August 2012 |title=Recognition and management of abdominal injuries at athletic events |journal=International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=448–451 |issn=2159-2896 |pmc=3414076 |pmid=22893864}}</ref> Victims of such a "winding" episode often groan in a strained manner until normal breathing resumes. Loosening restrictive garments and [[Flexion|flexing]] the [[Hip|hips]] and [[Knee|knees]] can help relieve the symptoms.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book | last=MacAuley | first=D | title=Oxford Handbook of Sport and Exercise Medicine | publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] | year=2007 | isbn=978-0-19-856839-1 | page=572 }}
* {{cite book |title=Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries|first1=Sandra J.|last1=Shultz|first2=Peggy A.|last2=Houglum|first3=David H.|last3=Perrin|publisher=Human Kinetics|year=2005|isbn=0-7360-5138-4|page=567}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Getting The Wind Knocked Out Of You}}
[[Category:Slang]]
[[Category:English-language idioms]]
[[Category:Breathing abnormalities]]
[[Category:Motor control]]
[[Category:Injuries of abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis]]
[[Category:Sports injuries]]