What Is Visceral Manipulation?

"Viscera" - relates to the internal organs of the body, such as the liver, kidneys and intestines. Visceral Manipulation, or VM, is a gentle manual therapy approach that aids your body's ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain and dysfunction. You have probably heard of fascia. Fascia  is a connective tissue that surrounds our muscles, turns into tendons and ligaments , supports our viscera (internal organs), supports and surrounds our arteries, veins and nerves. Fascia is truly incredible. It is everywhere. Often times when there is pain, fascia is restricted.  It may be restricted anywhere in the body and may be far away from the painful spot. Fascial restrictions  may occur because of trauma, inflammation, poor nutrition, etc.  Now imagine, if this magical connective network was restricted around your liver.  Liver sits underneath your diaphragm, now it is pulling on the diaphragm and  causes muscles to cramp up around the area of your midback, which in turn may refer pain to your shoulder, neck or ribcage. 

​VM does not focus solely on the site of pain or dysfunction, We evaluate the entire body to find the source of the problem. We feel for the restricted motion within the viscera, as well as restrictive patterns through the body and then apply VM techniques. Visceral Manipulation re-establishes the body's ability to adapt and restore itself back to health.

How Do Organs Contribute To Pain and Dysfunction?

Your body is made up of many interrelated components - bones, muscles, nerves, a thin connective tissue called fascia, and  internal organs (viscera). Your organs are in perpetual motion. When you breathe, walk and stretch your organs move in your chest and abdomen. For example, when you take a deep breath, your kidneys move one inch; and with deep inhalation, they move 4 inches. In a day, they move over 1/2 mile.

This movement of organs is transmitted through fascia to other structures of the body. When you are healthy, all the structures move with fluidity. This movement is important as it influences activities throughout the body from the tiniest cellular pulsations to rhythmic contractions of the heart and blood flow. 

Organs lose mobility due to physical trauma, surgery, lifestyle, infection, pollution, diet, posture, pregnancy and such. When an organ is restricted and fixed to another structure, the body is forced to compensate. This creates abnormal points of tension and chronic irritation gives way to functional and structural problems throughout the body.

​Imagine scar tissue around your lungs. Every breath requires movement, but the scar tissue alters the normal pattern. This could shift rib movement creating pulls on the spine, resulting in midback and neck pain, and it can also limit shoulder movement. This may be the reason why traditional physical therapy or other interventions failed before.  The main problem was overlooked.

What Does Visceral Manipulation Feel Like?

One word... AMAZING! Visceral Manipulation is a soft, hands-on manual therapy approach. Underneath the pain or diagnoses is a compensatory pattern created in the body with the initial source of the dysfunction often being far from where the pain is felt. Because of this, we search for this pattern and the source, and treat the related tissues. The treatment is a gentle compression, mobilization and elongation of the soft tissues. As the source of the problem is released, the symptoms start to decrease.  Patients feel very relaxed and sometimes fall asleep on the table. I take it as a compliment. 

This Is What Our Patients Are Saying...

A.P. 23, Boulder

"I'm just amazed how something so gentle can have such a profound effect. I have been seeing Elena for back pain. She worked on my colon and back pain was gone. Not only was the back pain gone, my painful periods were gone too."

J.K. 58, Arvada

"I have had knee pain for years. I have heard about Visceral Manipulation and decided to give it a shot. The treatment was very gentle, and I was wondering how something so light can  be helpful. Elena worked on my kidney and as she was working on it I felt a warm sensation going down my leg as if something let go. I felt really rested after the treatment but best of all, for the first time in 10 years  I was able to ski without nagging knee pain!"

M.N. 40, Wheat Ridge

" I woke up with a stiff neck and went to see Elena. She determined that my neck pain was coming from my gallbladder.  After releasing tensions around my gallbladder I was surprised to discover that the neck pain was completely gone. I could turn my head again. What a relief. I am a big believer in Visceral Manipulation."

Here Is How To Get In Touch With Healing In Motion Physical Therapy...

Not sure if physical therapy is right for you?
Have questions about your condition?
Worried about the next step?
Want to know more about your options?
Ready to make and appointment?
How long are the appointments?
Can I use my insurance?
What are my payment options?
Find out why you are in pain?
Is there something wrong?
What are you doing to make it worse?
What can you do to make it better?