Visceral manipulation

It’s one of my favorite themes due to the unique effects that can be achieved for the whole organism.

Deep links between gut and brain, gut and Autonomous Nervous System, gut and metabolism, gut and pain, gut and joints, gut and respiration, gut and stroma…

Visceral manipulation involves abdominal massage that combines various movements to strip away the adhesions.

The goal is to restore the pliable, mobile state that helps organs get the circulation, nutrients, and suppleness they need to function properly.

I have traveled around the world a lot, gaining knowledge of traditional and conventional medicine used in different cultures. And in ALL Cultures of traditional medicine, in India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Ecuador, South Korea, Russia, Pakistan, etc., you will find this “mystical” technique.

Modern knowledge of the role of Microbiom and Microbiota in human life just supports the importance of the Visceral Manipulation and understanding that after the brain, the second body part contained a pool of neurons is the gut.

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Visceral manipulation is used to locate and solve problems throughout the body.

It encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your organs, dissipate the negative effects of stress, enhance mobility of the musculoskeletal system through the connective tissue attachments, and influence general metabolism.

Visceral massage, as performed serve as a useful form of vagal stimulation. “The vagus nerve may play an important role in pain modulation by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic activity, and possibly by inducing a brain activation pattern that may be incongruent with the brain matrix of pain.

Finally, vagal activation may mediate or work in synergism with the effects of the opioid system in pain modulation. All these mechanisms are thought to influence neuronal hyperexcitability, culminating in the perception of less pain.

For all the above neurobiological reasons, it justified increasing vagal nerve activity to reduce pain as this targets all five mechanisms with one intervention.

The vagus nerve has been attributed experimentally to influence pain in a variety of ways; deep breathing will augment vagal activity and has been shown to reduce pain.

In all cases, it appears that vagal stimulation influences central pain processing, rather than peripheral nociceptor activity.

There are also clear links between this research and study by neuroanatomist A.D (Bud) Craig who provides clinical evidence regarding the relationship between viscera and the area of the brain called the insular cortex. Craig spent nine years studying the neural pathways from viscera to the anterior insular cortex. His claim is that insular function will enable deep insights into the neural basis for subjectivity, feelings, volition, individual personality, belief, and self-modulation.

Visceral massage is a metaphysical experience paralleled by biological responses. There is a running dialogue between the gut and the brain that an experienced massage therapist can facilitate by providing a positive connection between them.

While we have addressed some of the science and ancient art connected with visceral massage therapy, there are many more components to understanding how therapeutic massage techniques can address the sensitive digestive system and the emotions related to the brain-gut connection.

Visceral massage is part of both functional medicine and ancient traditional therapy. It is an emerging therapeutic area for us in clinical practice, addressing conditions such as IBS, lower back pain and a range of both gut issues and emotional concerns.

Indications:

• Acute Disorders:

• Whiplash Seatbelt Injuries
• Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Digestive Disorders:

• Bloating and Constipation Nausea 
• Acid Reflux
• Swallowing Dysfunctions

• Women’s and Men’s Health Issues:

• Chronic Pelvic Pain Endometriosis Fibroids 
• Cysts Dysmenorrhea
• Bladder Incontinence
• Prostate Dysfunction
• Referred Testicular Pain Effects of Menopause

• Musculoskeletal Disorders: 

• Somatic-Visceral Interactions 
• Chronic Spinal Dysfunction 
• Headaches and Migraines 
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 
• Peripheral Joint Pain
• Sciatica 
• Neck Pain

• Pain Related to:

• Post-operative Scar Tissue
•  Post-infection Scar Tissue

• Pediatric Issues:

• Constipation and Gastritis 
• Persistent Vomiting 
• Vesicoureteral Reflux
• Infant Colic

• Emotional Issues 

• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder