What is Visceral Manipulation?

If you’ve found this blog, you’ve probably stumbled upon the phrase "visceral manipulation" while researching ways to treat symptoms you’re currently experiencing. Kudos to you for digging deep and trying to find answers for yourself. I hope this blog helps you understand more about visceral manipulation, the science behind the technique, and some conditions that may benefit from this treatment.

It’s helpful to start from the beginning by breaking down what each word means and defining the phrase “visceral manipulation.”

• Viscera is the medical term for organs.
• Manipulation (though it may sound intimidating) simply means the skillful handling, controlling, or using of something or someone.

So, when combined, “visceral manipulation” is a gentle manual therapy technique designed to normalize organ function, mobility, and motility.

Here’s a brief background on visceral manipulation. This technique was developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, a French physical therapist and osteopath. His life’s work is now taught to professionals worldwide. I received my training in visceral manipulation through the Barral Institute.

You’re probably wondering, “Why would organs need manipulation in the first place?” or, “How does someone even manipulate an organ?” These were the same questions I had before learning about the benefits of this treatment. Let’s dive in!

To answer, “Why do organs need manipulation in the first place?” we first need to understand how our organs play a crucial role in how we function. We all know that organs are vital for life—we need them to work optimally to stay alive. But what if I told you that we also need our organs to move freely within our bodies to keep us healthy? Did you know that with every move you make, your organs are sliding and gliding inside your body to meet the demands of your actions?

Let’s try something: lift your right shoulder toward the ceiling. How does it feel? Can you lift your arm all the way? Does it feel tight or stuck? Most people would say that the muscles around the shoulder and the shoulder joint work together to lift your arm. You’re not wrong—but what if I told you that your ability to lift your arm also depends on your organs’ ability to move, slide, and glide?

Our organs are in constant motion. Each organ has its own inherent movement, known as motility, and mobility, or movement due to external forces like breathing, walking, or laughing.

We often take this motion for granted. For example, I’m not constantly thinking about how my liver or stomach must move up, down, side to side, and back and forth just for me to reach into the backseat of my car.

It’s only when something goes wrong in our bodies that we start noticing dysfunction in our daily activities. Several factors can impact visceral motility or mobility, such as:

• Surgery
• Poor posture
• Repetitive movements
• Physical trauma (like a car accident or pregnancy/delivery)
• Infections or illnesses
• Diet, environmental factors, smoking, and drinking
• Emotional stress

Most people have experienced at least one—and likely more than one—of these factors in their lifetime. Any of these can begin to limit how well your organs move within your body. Over time, this can lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction like decreased range of motion or pain, or contribute to conditions like gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS or GERD.

Now you might be thinking, “So what can I do about it?” This is where visceral manipulation comes in!

Trained professionals can assess your body and target key areas that need attention to restore balance. So how does this work?

Using gentle techniques, I can assess, listen to, and guide your body toward healing itself. I apply a light touch to targeted areas and use gentle pressure, stretching, or movement to encourage the organs to regain their natural mobility and motility. These techniques are subtle but can be very effective.

Now that we’ve covered what visceral manipulation is, here’s a brief list of conditions I frequently see in my clinic that can benefit from this technique. This list isn’t exhaustive—honestly, I believe everyone can benefit from this treatment:

• Back, hip, or sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
• Constipation
• GERD
• IBS
• Endometriosis
• Infertility
• Painful periods
• Urinary urgency or incontinence
• Pregnancy/Postpartum

Curious to know more about this treatment? Stay tuned for future blogs, where I’ll dive into clinical examples and discuss what to expect during a treatment session.