Visceral manipulation is a very gentle, hands-on treatment technique. Just like I manipulate soft tissue like muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, I can manipulate and influence your internal organs too, like after you had your appendix removed. Visceral manipulation restores the normal movement of your internal organs and the connective tissue surrounding them.

For example, scar tissue around a trauma site like a C-section hinders normal blood and nutrient flow. The natural healing process fixes whatever needs fixing as quickly as possible. This leads to tight, immobile scar tissue that restricts the normal movement, although small, of the affected organ. The affected organ’s immobility will directly influence neighbouring organs and ultimately it may influence joint mobility and muscle length. In the long run, this can lead to local issues in the area, like the gallbladder not emptying all of the bile stored inside.

Benefits of visceral manipulation:

• Improve the mobility of the organs (your organs move with you)
• Improve digestive organ function
• Directly influence the parasympathetic nervous system
• Decrease healing time
• Improve movement patterns
• Relieves constipation
• Improve breathing pattern
• Decrease pain

Conditions that can be treated with Visceral Manipulation

• Headaches
• Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
• Whiplash and other physical trauma
• Shoulder Periarthritis and Capsulitis
• Post-Surgical Pain and Scar tissue
• C-section
• Bladder Problems
• Bowel Problems

What to expect During a Visceral Manipulation

Honestly, visceral manipulation feels less impressive than it actually is. It’s a high precision technique, with minimal force. Light pressure and repetitive movement will be done in different positions, some with you lying still, or even while you move. It is comfortable, gentle movements over the target area.

Once I have your specific symptoms I do a thorough assessment of your range of movement, like we would with any other clinical evaluation. I will assess your organ mobility hands on the organ, either lying on your back or sides or seated over the edge of the bed.

To the receiver, it may not feel like much is being done. It definitely doesn’t follow the same principle of “no pain, no gain” like other physiotherapy techniques. You have nothing to be worried about.