Motion is a sign of life itself. Everything in the universe is in motion. Of particular importance are those motions, not ordinarily visible, that take place within the human body. Our bodies need movement to be healthy.
For an organ to be healthy and have optimal function there needs to be motion. Tissues (fascia, ligaments, tendons, muscles) lose their normal motion when they become inflamed. Many factors can cause tissue inflammation including: infections, direct trauma, repetitious movement, diet, environmental toxins and emotional stress. Thereby by consulting an osteopath, they will help restore better physiologic motion, which in turn will improve the function of the affected organ.
What is Visceral Manipulation?
Definition of Visceral Manipulation (V.M.): The internal organs of the abdominal cavity are also referred as viscera, they are the liver, gallbladder, stomach, kidneys, intestines, heart, lungs, bladder, uterus. Visceral Manipulation is a gentle manual therapy that helps your body’s ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain, dysfunction and poor posture. Visceral Manipulation does not focus only on the site of pain or dysfunction, but evaluates the entire body to find the source of the problem.The osteopath will feel for altered or decreased motion within the viscera, as well as restrictions patterns throughout the body and then apply V.M. techniques. By using these specific Visceral Manipulation techniques, I would assess the structural relationships between the organs, their fascia or ligamentous attachments to the musculoskeletal system. The strains that I feel in the connective tissue of the organs can result from surgical scars, adhesions, illness, posture or injury. For example, imagine an adhesion around the lungs. It would create abnormal compensatory tensions to surrounding structures. Such as, the adhesion can alter rib motion, which could then create imbalanced forces on the spine and nearby tissues.
How can osteopathy help you with a visceral dysfunction?
Visceral Manipulation encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your organs, dissipates the negative effects of stress, enhances mobility of the musculoskeletal system through the connective tissue attachments, and influences general metabolism.
How does an osteopath perform Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral Manipulation is based on the precise hand positioning with soft manual forces to encourage the normal mobility, tone and motion of the organs and their connective tissues. These gentle manipulations can potentially improve the functioning of individual organs, the systems the organs function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.
Benefits of Visceral Manipulation
Even those who do not believe they have any adhesions may benefit from V.M. I believe that Visceral Manipulation prompts the release of the feel good hormone serotonin, which boost the mood and relieves tension. Other benefits reported to result from the treatment are better digestion, regulation, less bloating, less low back pain, decrease in healing times, increased immunity, and for men, increased virility.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 514-684-9073.
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