Visceral manipulation is a manual therapy technique that involves gentle, hands-on manipulation of the internal organs to improve their function and alleviate pain. It is based on the idea that the organs in our body are interconnected and that dysfunction in one organ can cause pain or dysfunction in another part of the body.
The theory behind visceral manipulation is that the organs in our body are surrounded by connective tissue, which can become tight or restricted due to injury, surgery, poor posture, or chronic stress. This can lead to decreased mobility and function of the organs, which can cause pain or discomfort in the surrounding tissues.
By using gentle pressure and manipulation techniques, a trained therapist can help to release these restrictions and restore normal function to the affected organs. This can lead to a reduction in pain and improved overall health and well-being.
Research has shown that visceral manipulation can be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including:
- Back pain: The organs in our abdomen are connected to the muscles and ligaments in our back, and dysfunction in the organs can cause pain in the back. Visceral manipulation can help to restore normal function to the organs and alleviate back pain.
- Digestive issues: Visceral manipulation can be used to treat digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By improving the function of the digestive organs, it can help to alleviate these symptoms.
- Menstrual cramps: The uterus is surrounded by connective tissue, and dysfunction in this tissue can cause menstrual cramps. Visceral manipulation can help to release restrictions in this tissue and alleviate menstrual cramps.
- Headaches: Visceral manipulation can be effective in treating headaches that are caused by dysfunction in the neck and shoulders. By improving the function of the organs in the abdomen, it can help to alleviate this type of headache. While visceral manipulation is generally considered safe, it is important to work with a trained therapist who has experience in this technique. It is also important to remember that visceral manipulation is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and it should be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as exercise, diet, and stress management, to achieve the best results.
In conclusion, visceral manipulation is a gentle and non-invasive manual therapy technique that can be effective in treating a variety of conditions. By improving the function of the internal organs, it can help to alleviate pain and improve overall health and well-being. If you are interested in trying visceral manipulation, and you’re near the Spokane area give us a call and schedule an evaluation with one of our visceral trained manual physical therapists.
