'Viscera' relates to the internal organs of the body, such as the liver, kidneys and intestines. Visceral manipulation (VM) is a gentle manual therapy that aids the body's ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain and dysfunction.
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 we 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 a take a breath, your kidneys move one inch; and with deep inhalation, they move 4 inches. In a day, they move over 1/2 mile. That's around 19,000 miles in a lifetime!
This movement of organs is transmitted through fascia to other structures of the body. When you are healthy, all the structures move with fluidity. This movement is important as 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 irritations gives way to functional and structural problems throughout the body.
Imagine scar tissue around the lungs. Every breath requires movement but the scar tissue alters the normal pattern. This could shift rib movements 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 -- magnifies by thousands of repetitions each day. This also explains how pain can often be far removed from the actual cause.
What does Viceral Manipulation feel like?
VM is a soft, hands-on manual therapy. Underneath the pain or diagnoses isa compensatory pattern created in the body with initial source of the dystunction often being far from where the pain is felt. Because of this, the practitioner searches for this pattern and the source, and treats the related tissues. The treatment is a gentle compression, mobilization and elongation of the soft tissues. As the source of the problem is released, the symptoms will start to decrease..
VIsceral Manipulation Benefits:
- Whiplash & Seatbelt injuries
- Sports Injuries
- Spinal Dysfunction
- Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
- Headaches & Migraines
- Carpal Tunnel
- Joint Pain
- Digestive Disorders
- Acid Reflux
- Post-operative Scar Tissue Pain
- Swallowing Dysfunctions
- Women's & Men's Health Issues
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Fibroids & Cysts
- Anxiety and Depression
- And More