If you’re like me, you’ve probably grown accustomed to the routine of Deep Tissue, Swedish, or Hot Stone massages. These types of massages treat muscle pain or dysfunction by realigning muscle tissue and the corresponding chain of muscles that directly affect physical movement.
Visceral Manipulation (VM), on the other hand, focuses specifically on the internal organs and the links between muscles and joints, the sympathetic nervous system, visceral organs, spinal cord, brain, their respective environments, and the potential influence on many structural and physiological dysfunctions.
In Layman’s terms, most organs within the body communicate with the spine in streams of information. A VM therapist manipulates these streams so the organs and the spine communicate maximally. VM is a result of the study of how certain structures influence the spine’s mobility and function.
Think of it like this: similar to a strained muscle, an organ has the ability to restrict movement and create lines of tension through the body often as a result of trauma (fall on a soccer ball), acute/chronic illness (pneumonia), absorbing a force (seat belt), and even an infection. Like muscles, organs need to move to stay healthy. They have sliding surfaces that communicate with each other, with muscles, with ribs and with the spine. Any lack of mobility in these structures could promote chronic spinal restrictions. Thus, it has been speculated that up to 90% of musculoskeletal problems have a visceral component.
VM relies on the palpation of normal and abnormal forces within the body. By using specific techniques, therapists can evaluate how abnormal forces interplay, overlap and affect the normal body forces at work. The goal, then, is to help the body’s normal forces remove abnormal effects, whatever their sources.
Click here to read a powerful visceral manipulation testimonial.
The Man Behind VM
Jean-Pierre Barral worked as a physical therapist, studied with radiologists and electrical engineers, and earned an education in biomechanics. Barral is credited for the development of Visceral Manipulation. Click here for more information on Barral and VM.
Visceral Manipulations has a positive impact on:
Acute Disorders
Whiplash
Seatbelt Injuries
Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
Digestive Disorders
Bloating and Constipation
Nausea and Acid Reflux
GERD
Swallowing Dysfunctions
Women’s and Men’s Health Issues
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis
Fibroids and Cysts
Dysmenorrhea
Bladder Incontinence
Prostate Dysfunction
Referred Testicular Pain
Effects of Menopause
Emotional Issues
Anxiety and Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Somatic-Visceral
Interactions
Chronic Spinal Dysfunction
Headaches and Migraines
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Peripheral Joint Pain
Sciatic
Pain Related to
Post-operative Scar Tissue
Post-infection Scar Tissue
Autonomic Mechanisms
Pediatric Issues
Constipation and Gastritis
Persisten Vomiting
Vesicoureteral Reflux
Infant Colic
Ashlyn McKnight, LMT is our Visceral Manipulation Therapist at The Wellness Center, for more information or to schedule an appointment please call us at 303-357-9355.
