"We know so little, only the tissues know." Jean Pierre Barral
Let’s talk about visceral manipulation!
It is a very gentle manual therapy technique that addresses the connective tissue adhesions within the body in order to restore mobility, decrease pain, and improve overall function.
I know what you are thinking…but what does that really mean?
Let me give you a personal example. I recently returned from a visceral course in Portland, and the focus was on the pelvis. This includes the bladder, uterus or prostate, rectum, ureters, kidney, sacrum and coccyx. We spent four days listening, watching and working on one another. I have had some major pelvic floor dysfunction since my last hip surgery in March of 2023. I have tried numerous modalities to try to relieve symptoms and improve my activity tolerance. While some modalities helped to relieve my symptoms, as soon as I increased my level of activity, the symptoms returned.
I decided to volunteer during this class and see what our instructor could do to help me. He did a fascial release of my bladder, rectum and uterus, all of which were bound up and since that 10 minute treatment I have had NO symptoms. Not one.
This is the power of visceral manipulation. Just today I returned to my GI doctor, who has been stumped on how to help me, and told him this story. He was surprised and asked all kinds of medical questions. In the end, he was happy that I finally feel better and can return to my life in full.
Visceral manipulation can help with functional and structural imbalances in the body from musculoskeletal pain to digestive pain, vascular issues to lymphatic dysfunction. If you are experiencing pain, and you have tried everything, maybe consider VM.
Visceral manipulation can be performed by physical therapist & assistants, occupational therapist & assistants, massage therapist, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors and acupuncturist. Please be sure you check credentials of your preferred provider.
The Barral Institute has practitioners and trainings all over the world.
Go to this website and search for a provider in your area.
