What is Visceral Manipulation?

What is Visceral Manipulation?

'Viscera' relates to the internal organs of the body, such as the liver, kidneys and the intestines. Visceral Manipulations, or VM, is a gentle manual therapy that aids your body's ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain and dysfunction. VM does not focus solely on the site of pain or dysfunction, but evaluates the entire body to find the source of the problem. The VM therapist feels for the altered or decreased motion within the viscera, as well as the restrictive patterns throughout the body and then applies VM techniques. VM therapy re-establishes the body's ability to adapt and restore itself to health. 

How Do Organs Contribute to Pain and Dysfunction?

Your body is made up of many interrelated components-bones , muscles, nerves, a thin connective tissue called fascia, as well as internal organs (viscera). Your organs are in perpetual motion. When you breathe, walk and stretch, your organs move in your chest and abdomen. For example, when you take a breath, your kidneys move one inch;and with deep inhalation, they move 4 inches. In a day, they move 1/2 mile. That's around 19.000 miles in a lifetime!

This movement of organs is transmitted through the fascia to other structures of the body. When you are healthy, all the structures move with fluidity. This movement is important it influences activities throughout the body from the tiniest cellular pulsations to rhythmic contractions of the heart and blood flow. Optimum health relies on this harmonious relationship.

Organs lose mobility due to physical trauma, surgery, lifestyle, infection, pollution, diet, posture, pregnancy and such. When an organ is restricted and fixed to another structure, the body is forced to compensate. This creates abnormal points of tension and chronic irritation gives way to functional and structural problems throughout the body.

Imagine scar tissue around the lines. Every breath requires movement but the scar tissue alters the normal patterns. This could shift rib movement creating pulls on the spine resulting in mid-back and neck pain, and limit shoulder movement. This scenario highlights just one of hundreds of possible ramifications of a small dysfunction-magnified by thousands of repetitions each day. This also explains how pain can often be far removed from the actual cause.