Visceral Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a gentle but effective Osteopathic approach to reanimating the natural motion and processes inherent to respiration, digestion, metabolism and elimination. The term “Visceral” relates to the internal organs, glands, ducts and transit pathways of the body such as the adrenals, liver, kidneys, intestines. heart and lungs. Visceral Manipulation a series of Osteopathic Manual Medicine techniques that support your body’s ability to improve metabolic function by reducing adhesive restrictions, improving inherent motion, fluid exchanges and altered pressure mechanisms that may be causing decreased metabolic, hormonal or eliminative function, inflammation or pain. Visceral Manipulation, when combined as part of a “total-body” Osteopathic approach, does not focus only on the site of pain or dysfunction, but evaluates the entire body to find the source of dysfunction and of suffering. Osteopaths “palpate” or feel for inflammation, blockages, altered or decreased motion within the viscera, as well as tracking the nerve signals, blood supply and lymphatics entering and leaving the effected site, integrating corrective techniques into the structure that supports the effected region, as well as re-establishing the body’s ability to adapt and restore itself to health.
When injuries happen, the interior of the body is often impacted just like the outside of the body. This can lead to visceral injuries which are not always life threatening, but are often life changing. Often, this results in year’s of suffering, Medical workups, suppressive medications, multiple unsuccessful attempts to find symptom relief and to correct problems which seems “uncorrectable”. In Osteopathy, we recognize that “Structure Governs Function” and that the body will protect itself and “hug” and contract in order to protect its vulnerabilities, whether they are outside in the musculoskeletal system or inside in the visceral systems. Because the body protects itself in one area, it will adapt or compensate by overusing another area, and because of this, the symptoms we experience are often elsewhere than the place of suffering or dysfunction. This will often lead to years of incorrect care, focused upon treatment of symptoms, hormonal exhaustion, endrocrine deregulation, pain or musculoskeletal spasm for which the body is only trying to protect something that it views as vulnerable.
Proper and effective treatment requires seeing all systems as they interact. Osteopaths are trained to look “deeper” and to “do no harm” which helps us find answers intertwined in history, folded away or forgotten, tucked behind closed doors or in dark recesses. Osteopathy serves to act as a light in the darkness.
Visceral Manipulation can benefit:
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Headaches and Migraines
Sciatica
Back, hip and knee pain
Repetitive strain injuries, e.g. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Whiplash and other physical trauma
Shoulder periarthritis and capsulitis
Restricted range of motion
Vertigo
Post-surgical pain and Scar tissue
Post-cardiac surgery
Swallowing difficulties
Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Women’s health issues
Endometriosis
Fibroids and Cysts
Bladder incontinence
Crohn’s Disease
Liver disorders
Digestive disorders
Pediatrics issues
Neuromotor problems
Ward off infection
Emotional disorders
Anxiety and Depression
Post Tramatic Stress Disorder
and much more