Visceral Manipulation Therapy – What is it & how does it work?

What is visceral manipulation therapy?

Visceral manipulation is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy used to help your internal organs (viscera) glide smoothly within your body. Your physical therapist can use this technique to treat abdominal pain, constipation, cramps, indigestion, and much more. 

Your internal organs are surrounded by connective tissue that holds them in place in the body. Healthy connective tissue should move easily to allow organs to slide on each other when you rotate or flex your torso.

Connective tissue should be loose enough to allow your stomach to expand when you eat, your lungs to open and accept air, your intestines to constrict and relax to move waste to your colon.

Congested or inflamed connective tissue impedes these small but significant movements. This creates visceral discomfort and dysfunction and can lead to restricted movement and pain in other parts of the body.

Scar Tissue and Adhesions in the Body

Your thoracic and abdominal viscera control your breathing, digestion, immune system, reproductive system, and hormonal response. The human body is a complex system with many interconnected subsystems, all working together to help you thrive. When one of those systems is compromised in any way, the body compensates.

Inflammation from illness or trauma can thicken and tighten the fascial network that supports nearby organs. If an organ gets shifted due to a specific trauma, such as a fall, it may get “stuck,” creating restrictions in your movement and dysfunction in the organ.

Surgeries – including c-sections, side effects from medication, or chemotherapy can also create adhesions in the viscera. As a surgical scar heals, the connective tissue supporting the skin can start to bind with deeper tissues, creating a pattern of restriction that can extend far beyond the original incision.

How does visceral manipulation work?

To perform visceral manipulation, your pelvic floor physical therapist will do an assessment and determine if restrictions in your abdominal or thoracic viscera may be contributing to your discomfort.

Your PT can then use specific techniques to mobilize the tissue to create more efficient function throughout the body. 

Get visceral manipulation today

The specialists at FemFirstHealth use visceral manipulation and other techniques to treat patients at our midtown and Upper West Side offices in New York City, as well as in Brooklyn and Long Island City.

If you or someone you know is experiencing pain, discomfort, or tension throughout your body, contact us to book an appointment.

Click here to contact us or call us directly at (646) 678-3034.

Visceral Manipulation FAQ

What conditions can visceral manipulation treat?

In studies, visceral manipulation has been known to be beneficial for many disorders, including:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (sciatica, carpal tunnel, joint pain, neck pain, etc.)

• Digestive disorders (GERD, nausea, constipation, etc.)

• Emotional issues (anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.)

• Acute disorders (whiplash, concussion, sports injuries, TBIs, etc.)

• Women’s health issues

• Post-operative and post-infection scar tissue

Does visceral manipulation work? 

Visceral manipulation has been shown to be effective for a large number of disorders and health concerns. Those experiencing musculoskeletal, nervous, vascular, respiratory, digestive, and lymphatic dysfunction could benefit from visceral manipulation. 

How long does visceral manipulation take to work?

According to experts, the number of VM sessions it takes to see results varies from person to person. Based on your diagnosis and treatment needs, your therapist will be able to determine what is best for you. Many patients experience improvements in just a few sessions of visceral manipulation. 

What are the side effects of visceral manipulation?

If performed by a skilled and trained practitioner, there should be little to no side effects to visceral manipulation. Some patients have reported experiencing some temporary soreness as well as headaches.

How does visceral manipulation feel?

Visceral manipulation is a gentle compression that can feel like a stretch or mild pressure in the abdomen. This stretching and compression may result in some mild warmth or tingling to the area due to increased blood flow. 

Visceral manipulation contraindications

There are very few contraindications to visceral manipulation. Some of those contraindications include infection, inflammation, and signs of recent trauma. Our trained therapists take every precaution to ensure that you are safe.

Who can benefit from visceral manipulation?

Because visceral manipulation can be used to treat such a wide variety of conditions, visceral manipulation is beneficial to most adults. Our day-to-day lives and circumstances can often cause tissue restrictions and bodily imbalances over time. Visceral manipulation addresses those restrictions and imbalances and promotes bodily healing.