Visceral Manipulation

When our internal organs, nerves, and arteries are functioning optimally they move and glide upon one another in aqueous membranous sacs and sheaths. Sometimes, due to injury, trauma, or habitual holding patterns, they may become contracted or adhered together preventing their normal range of motion.

Visceral manipulation (VM) is the practice of harmonizing and liberating the internal organs of the body to move, glide, and function at the most optimal capacity that is available for the organism. Nerve and Artery mobilization uses these same principles to seek better function of the nervous system and arteries. Promoting functional movement of our internal organs and neurovascular system can lead to greater circulation, more efficient nerve conduction, smoother transit of food through the gut, and improved physiological function throughout one’s body overall.

Other structures that may call for attention during a VM session are joints, joint-capsules, bones, ligaments tendon-sheaths, bursa, dura, and various other fascial planes found in the body. 

In the same way that fascia and muscles can develop “knots” and “tightness” (adhesions and contractures), organs, nerves, arteries, and joint-capsules can develop adhesions and contractures as well. Actually, often when we experience a “tight muscle”, it is the muscle bracing itself to protect a more vulnerable structure underneath like a nerve, artery, or organ. So, directing one’s hands-on care towards these underlying structures has much more meaningful results than just massaging people’s muscles. Once we have released the contracted or stuck-together tissues of the offending organ or artery, the symptoms of “tightness” present in the muscles often resolve without direct work on the muscles themselves.