Visceral Manipulation
What is Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral Manipulation is a manual therapy that focuses on the health and balance of organs and their environment. Like the musculoskeletal system, the organs are surrounded by an endless web of fascia that supports and connects them to everything else in the body. The viscera need to move fluidly within their environment to work optimally and in harmony with each other. When an organ moves well, it functions well. Restrictions in and around the viscera reduces overall vitality, compromises organ function, and can lead to pain, illness and poor posture.
“90% of musculoskeletal dysfunction has a visceral component”-
J Barral, developer of Visceral Manipulation
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How does Visceral Manipulation work?
Like muscles and joints, each organ has a range of motion. In fact, organs have two kinds of motion. The first is called “organ mobility” which is the movement of an organ within its environment and in relationship to surrounding organs and structures. The second movement is called “organ motility” which is an inherent cellular movement within the organ itself. Our organs are supported within cavities surrounded by membranous sacs and anchored via fascial slings and ligaments. When the tissues that connect to the viscera are strained, it causes a ripple effect through out the body. This can manifest structurally as postural deviation, musculoskeletal pain and restriction, or physiologically as compromised function of the organs and even emotional pain.
Many factors contribute to visceral restrictions, some including physical trauma, car accidents, surgery, diet, lifestyle, medications, organ dysfunction, infections, or poor posture. Even emotional trauma can cause restrictions as the viscera tends to tighten during overflow of stressors. Visceral manipulation releases these restrictions and facilitates a rebalancing of structures, reducing strain on the skeletal system, restoring vitality and calming the nervous system.
What to expect from Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral Manipulation is performed laying down or seated on a treatment table and can be done alone or combined with other modalities. The patient is typically clothed unless other treatment modalities being used require otherwise. Treatment requires skin to skin contact and comfortable clothing is recommended.
Unlike other therapeutic massage or abdominal massage, visceral manipulation uses a light touch via fascial load for precise evaluation and treatment of structures. Once an area of restriction is identified the therapist slowly sinks their hands to the appropriate depth in the body to engage the intended structures. Here the therapist releases restrictions, and encourages vascular health and organ mobility. Typically 3-4 organs are treated per session.
What does Visceral Manipulation feel like?
As a patient, you may experience a variety of signs of tissues release. The following are experiences some of my patients have reported during session:
Soft stretching
Ease of breath
Gurgling of the tummy
Mild tingling
Numbness
Tenderness or heat
Vascular responses
Deep sense of relaxation
Somatoemotional Release
Increased digestion
Referred pain
Pain relief
Who can benefit from Visceral Manipulation?
Anyone seeking to improve the body’s ability to function and alleviate imbalances will benefit from Visceral Manipulation. Specifically, people with the following conditions have found relief from Visceral Manipulation:
Seatbelt Injuries
Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
Concussion
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Bloating and Constipation
Nausea and Acid Reflux
GERD
Swallowing Dysfunctions
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis
Fibroids and Cysts
Dysmenorrhea
AFIB
Bladder Incontinence
Prostate Dysfunction
Referred Testicular Pain
Effects of Menopause
Anxiety/Depression
PTSD/ CPTSD
Postural Problems
Migraines
Sciatica
Post surgery and anesthesia
Scar tissue
Chronic fatigue
Immune disorders
Is Visceral Manipulation safe for everyone?
Consult your physician before scheduling your treatment session if you have experienced any of the following:
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Infection
Inflammation
Recent trauma
Open Wounds
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Conditions that require blood thinners
Metabolic Conditions