Visceral Manipulation…
is a manual therapy focusing on the organs, their placement, interaction, and function (and/or dysfunction.) The creator of Visceral Manipulation Jean-Pierre Barral believes “only the tissue know” - ie everything from stress, disease, injury, etc is stored in the body and that the body has a deep innate intelligence. Visceral Manipulation uses “listening” by the practitioner to feel areas of restriction, areas the body is not moving, and functional and structural imbalances.
These functional and structural imbalances can affect the musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urogenital, respiratory, digestive, and lymphatic systems and create dysfunction within the body. Organ specific fascial mobilization evaluates and treats the motion and relationship of the specific organ with membranes, fascia, ligaments, and other organs surrounding it. By freeing the movement of the organ and surrounding tissues the body can return to normal function and held compensation patterns can be released.
Here are some conditions Visceral Manipulation can help with:
Neck Pain and Whiplash
Headaches and Migraines
Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injuries
Emotional Difficulties, anxiety, and Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Somatic-Visceral Interactions
Chronic Pain/Fatigue
Fibromyalgia and other Connective Tissue Disorders
Immune Disorders
Digestive Disorders
Scar Tissue
Orthopedic Problems
Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
Pelvic issues
Scoliosis
Post-Surgical Dysfunction
Sports Injuries
*Depending on the severity of trauma issues/dissociation, working in tandem with a mental health counselor may be necessary to receive treatment.*
There are very few contraindications for Visceral Manipulation. Some of those contraindications include infection, inflammation, and signs of recent trauma. There are contraindications for certain VM techniques when working with certain populations, such as a pregnant client or an infant.
