Many people experience acute or chronic digestive problems, usually treated with over-the-counter medications to address the symptoms. If the symptoms get worse, it is common to see one’s primary care physician or gastroenterologist to be evaluated more completely, and often to get prescription medication to alleviate pain and dysfunction. An additional source of intervention for these problems is Visceral Manipulation, a gentle hands-on manual therapy that focuses on releasing fascial restrictions around the internal organs to optimize their natural mobility and function. Developed primarily by French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral, this technique focuses on releasing physical restrictions, tension, and adhesions around organs like the stomach, intestines, liver, and colon. When these tissues lack normal movement, it can disrupt nerve signaling, impair blood Ilow, and cause mechanical blockages in the GI tract,
Visceral Manipulation therapy addresses functional, structural, and neuromusculoskeletal imbalances to optimize how your body processes food and eliminates waste products. It can help in the following ways:
- It encourages natural wave-like muscle contractions in the gut to move food and waste efficiently through the digestive organs..
- Post-operative scars (from C-sections, appendectomies, or gallbladder removal) and post-infection inflammation can tether organs together. This hands-on care gently releases those restricted areas.
- Gentle abdominal pressure targets the gut-brain axis and the Vagus Nerve, which helps the body to shift into a “rest and digest” parasympathetic state.
- Enhanced fluid dynamics reduce chronic local inflammation and helps to optimize overall functioning of the digestive system.
Arlene Ross is a doctor of physical therapy, utilizes Visceral Manipulation as part of her Physical Manual Therapy practice. She is located in Bend.
