Visceral Manipulation

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Freeing up ligamentous restrictions in the visceral system (i.e. liver, stomach,

etc.)

" You can have motion without life, but you cannot have life without motion. "

Jean-Pierre Barral, DO

The origins of Visceral Manipulation are unknown. It is conceivable that it has

been utilized in eastern medicine for centuries. Over the last twenty years the

most of the techniques being taught in this country, have been coming out of

France, developed by French Osteopath Jean_Pierre Barral. It started back in

1974 when Dr. Barral noticed that some of his patients seemed to be improving in

between appointments and he heard about the " folk healers on the mountain " who

" pushed things around " in the abdomen. With his depth of knowledge of the body

and years of experience he began to explore the benefit of gently manipulating

the organs. The results were phenomenal, and to date he has seen over 50,000

patients utilizing his techniques and documenting his results. He does not

consider a technique successful, and will not teach it until it has been

effective on at least two hundred patients.

Another phrase which may help explain Visceral Manipulation is " Organ specific

myofascial release " . Visceral Manipulation relies on the palpation of normal and

abnormal forces in the body. A skilled therapist can utilize these forces to

facilitate releases and assist the body to regain normal tone and function.

Because of the highly reactive nature of organ tissue, (as in CranioSacral

Therapy ) application of gentle force is utilized by the therapist. Therapists

while performing Visceral Manipulation continually " listen " with their hands.

They are monitoring how the body is reacting to the changes which are taking

place. It is the ability to listen and interact at the same time which is the

art and application of Visceral Manipulation.

Some understood connections in Visceral Manipulation are: liver affects right

shoulder, head and neck, stomach does the same thing on the left. The ovaries

can affect the knees as well as the shoulders and arms, the bladder has a strong

affect on the hips.

The uterus has ligaments which connect with the sacrum, and coccyx, where there

is a connection with the dura, which means that they could in turn cause

headaches and neck problems, as well as the obvious connection with the low

back. These are standard anatomical relationships, there are many more which are

unique to each persons compensation patterning.

These described techniques of Manual therapy allow the body to continue the work

begun in a therapeutic session; such that healing begun in a session becomes an

ongoing process within the body's control and direction. The results are

significant and beneficial. As we all try to give ourselves as much opportunity

as possible to become and remain healthy, visiting a manual therapist trained in

CranioSacral Therapy, and Visceral Manipulation, becomes an important

contribution to our health.

I hope this finds you and yours well

Mark E. Armstrong

casca@...

www.top5plus5.com

PAI NW Rep

ICQ #59196115