Visceral Mobilization: The Missing Puzzle Piece

Viscera: The internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (like the heart or lungs) or the abdomen (like the liver, pancreas, or intestines)

A healthy organ is vital for proper function of the body.  Organs are supposed to be able to move around in the membrane that surrounds them.  If there are any restrictions, such as adhesions to another structure, the function of the organ will be impaired.  The natural motion an organ goes through thousands of times a day will then cause strain on the organ because of the restriction.  The organ will react by changing its motion, compromising some of the function.  Visceral manipulation is a method used by Physical Therapists to bring improvement to the function of an organ by restoring the proper motion.  It involves specifically placed hands over restricted areas in the abdomen that encourage normal movement of an organ.  Sustained pressure against the restriction helps relive it.

Visceral techniques can often provide a solution to a patient’s chronic pain that treatment of the musculoskeletal system alone could not relieve.  This is because the restrictions mentioned earlier can interfere with the spine, pelvis, ribs, or other parts of the skeleton.  This causes bending and twisting of the skeleton, which changes posture and puts additional stress of the body.  Over time, even the smallest change can cause wear and tear on the body, leading to pain.  The location of this pain may be far away from the organ that is causing the original problem.  This can make it hard to diagnose because the musculoskeletal pain distracts away from the source of the pain.  If you suffer from chronic pain and musculoskeletal therapy isn’t helping, the missing piece of the puzzle may be located within the viscera.

If you have any questions about Visceral Mobilization, email avanarkel@agapetherapy.com