Viscera is a term for the internal organs of the body, including the liver, stomach, intestines, and kidneys. Visceral manipulation (VM) is a gentle manual therapy that aids the body’s ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensation patterns that cause pain and dysfunction. VM evaluates the entire body to find the source of the problem, which is not always the site of pain.
The therapist identifies altered or decreased motion within the viscera and other restriction patterns and then applies specific techniques to address these dysfunctional patterns. The body has a magnificent ability to adapt to stress to protect itself, but these adaptations can cause dysfunction and symptoms over time. VM addresses causes of the body’s dysfunctional patterns and starts the process for the body to create healthier movement patterns.
What can Visceral Manipulation benefit?
- Whiplash and seatbelt injuries
- Sports Injuries
- Spinal Dysfunction
- Low Back Pain and Sciatica
- Headaches and Migraines
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Joint Pain
- Digestive Disorders
- Acid Reflux
- Post-operative Scar Tissue Pain
- Swallowing Dysfunctions
- Women’s and Men’s Health Issues
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Fibroids and Cysts
- Pediatric Health Issues
- Colic
- Anxiety and Depression
- And More
How many sessions does it take?
Each person’s situation is different so the number of visits will vary. Many patients experience significant improvement within three to five therapy sessions while others may require additional treatment. We will create an individualized plan based on your needs and how your body responds to treatment.
What does it feel like?
VM is a soft, hands-on manual therapy. Often the source of a compensatory pattern may have originated far from the site of pain or symptoms. For this reason, the practitioner determines the pattern and source and treats the related tissues. The treatment involves gentle compressions, mobilizations, and elongation of soft tissues. As the source of the problem is released, the symptoms will start to decrease.
Emotions are stored in the organs. Emotions have a great impact on how our bodies function. Different emotions affect different organs. Emotional reactions can translate into spasms in the gall bladder or heartburn, vomiting, feeling faint, ulcers, or contribute to serious diseases.
The brain and organs are intimately connected via the nervous system and when the brain receives negative emotions, signals tend to be sent to the related organ and in turn the organ sends signals of tension back to the brain, resulting in a vicious cycle of stress and tension. In turn, an organ that has been physically stressed or is out of balance can stimulate emotional upset. VM seeks to break this cycle, enhance organ health, and restore emotional balance.
How do organs contribute to pain and dysfunction?
The body consists of interrelated components—bone, muscle, nerve, a thin connective tissue called fascia, and internal organs. Organs are perpetually in motion. Breathing, walking, and stretching cause the organs to move in your chest and abdomen. When you take a breath, the kidneys typically move one inch, and with deep inhalation, they move up to 4 inches. In a day, they move over a half a mile, or about 19,000 miles in a lifetime!
Organ movement is transmitted through fascia to other structures of the body. When healthy, all the structures move with fluidity. This movement is important as it influences functions throughout the body from the faintest cellular pulsations to rhythmic contractions of the heart and blood flow. Optimal health relies on this harmonious movement.
Organs lose mobility due to physical trauma, surgery, lifestyle, infection, pollution, diet, posture, pregnancy, and other stressors. A restricted organ can impede the movement of surrounding structures and organs, at which point the body is forced to compensate. This creates points of tension and chronic irritation that gives way to functional and structural dysfunction throughout the body.
For example, consider scar tissue around the lungs. Every breath requires movement, but the scar tissue alters the normal pattern. This could shift rib movement, creating pulls on the spine that lead to mid-back and neck pain or limit shoulder movement. This is just one example of a small dysfunction magnified thousands of times each day. This also shows how pain can be located far from its source.
