What is Visceral Manipulation?

Trauma, lack of exercise, physical deconditioning, cumulative soft tissue injury, inflammation, surgery, or obesity can displace, restrict, tighten, or scar ligament and fascia that surround, support, or suspend organs. Fascial and ligamentous injury can result in focal strains that cause tissue or organ dysfunction and injury. Pain and inflammation cycles are facilitated. VM uses soft vectoral techniques aimed at re-engaging normal suspension or movement of internal tissues / organs.

The notion of tissue restrictions or compliance to movement extends to the viscera. Organs, fascia, mesentery, and visceral ligaments move along and in relation to each other in much the same way that we know normal fascia-muscle compartments do. This notion of mobility in relation to each other is differentiated from intrinsic organ motility. Organs are mobile in relation to each other and often possess an internal movement or motility. As all fascia moves with breathing, the lungs move as we breathe, the stomach and intestines move in relation to each other during peristalsis, the urinary bladder shifts location somewhat when we piss. Viscera also move around a bit with ambulation. Visceral mobility restrictions are thought to restrict normal fluid, solid, and impulse conduction through individual organs. Visceral Manipulation addresses these restrictions. Visceral Manipulation is a hands-on set of techniques that resolve organ tissue motility and mobility problems. An organ in its proper place, moving the way it should, is a happy and functional organ. That is the goal of Visceral Manipulation.

Musculoskeletal conditions linked to visceral involvement include:

1. Mid to low back pain: The colon’s attachment to the back of the abdominal compartment may be strained. This can lend ligamentous tightness or displacement which, in turn, can inhibit normal spinal movement. These spinal segmental dysfunctions result in their related pain constellations.

2. Neck stiffness and pain: The suspensory ligaments of the lung and the pericardium all attach to cervical vertebrae. Ligamentous involvement here can cause cervical joint compression and flexion cervical somatic dysfunction. A forward head posture may thus actually be more closely related to a lung problem than to a thoracic spine dysfunction.

3. Shoulder restrictions and pain: Most paramedical personnel are familiar with the fact that gallbladder inflammation can result in pain that radiates to the right shoulder. Nerves that supply the suspensory ligaments of the liver stem from the spinal segment that innervates the shoulder. Liver suspensory ligament involvement may thus result in shoulder somatic dysfunctions.

4. Peripheral joint pain: Visceral compartment restrictions can transmit tension via adjacent myofascial trains into the limbs. These tension lines can cause compressive and torsional joint irritation and dysfunction.


How can visceral manipulation help me?

Visceral Manipulation has been known to improve:

1. Fatigue: Abnormal fascial tension or scarring from at the visceral suspension system may result from inflammation, surgery, and blunt or countercoup trauma. Loss of organ mobility due to restrictions of surrounding and supporting tissues have been linked to general fatigue. By example, lessened fatigue has been reported by whiplash-injured VA patients. Faster recovery rates and lower incidences of depressive symptoms have likewise been reported.

2. GI motility disorders: Ileus, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome: Abnormal fascial tension or scarring from at the small and large intestinal suspension system may result from inflammation, surgery, or blunt trauma. This causes restrictions that negatively alter bowel motility and function.

3. Hemorrhoids: The venous drainage from the rectum toward the liver is impeded when the hepatoduodenal ligament is abnormally tight. The resultant vascular congestion can cause or aggravate hemorrhoids.

4. Incontinence: Ligamentous tightness and muscle hypertonus may limit proper urinary bladder expansion and emptying.

5. Comparative Studies have found Visceral Manipulation Beneficial for:
Bloating and Constipation
Nausea
Acid Reflux / GERD
Swallowing Dysfunctions
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis
Fibroids and Cysts
Dysmenorrhea
Bladder Incontinence
Prostate Dysfunction
Referred Testicular Pain
Effects of Menopause
Pain Related to Post-operative Scar Tissue
Post-infection Scar Tissue
Autonomic Mechanism Dysfunctions
Constipation and Gastritis
Persistent Vomiting
Vesicoureteral Reflux
Infant Colic
Anxiety and Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder


Are you a Therapist or Doctor?
Visceral Manipulation involves hands-on techniques that alter restrictions imposed on the visceral organs. The aim is release of previously impaired mobility and motility. This normalized organ freedom of movement may also release musculoskeletal structures that have been secondarily affected. Reflexive guarding and adhesions causing Somatic Dysfunctions may be broken up with Visceral techniques.


Are there Studies that prove this works?
Comparative Studies have found Visceral Manipulation also Beneficial for:
Somatic-Visceral Interactions
Chronic Spinal Dysfunction
Headaches and Migraine headaches
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hip and Knee Pain
Sciatica
Whiplash
Seatbelt Injuries
Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries

Perhaps the best reasons i've heard on
why one should see a Visceral Manipulation Specialist are
1. "when nothing Else has worked," and
2. "there has to be a safer alternative than surgery."

Practitioner Notes for Cranio-sacral and Visceral Manipulation

These notes are meant for the MMG Kids.
If you are not an MMGer and these notes still make great sense to you,
then these notes are meant for you, too!

Remember the maxims "Reflexes First, and then Superficial to Deep?"
Let's stretch that notion with this application:
Guarding or Protective Reflexes with polysynaptic multimotor multisystem involvement have to be turned off first. The Frontal Induction Technique from the RDT arsenal is great for turning off Generalized Protective Modes.
Note how "superficial" the Somato-Emotional Dissonance Mapping is. Turn that off. That's the best way to get an accurate NMF map tracking. Said another way, Please note that the main usefulness of the Emotional Dissonance Motility Field is that if that is positive - meaning there's dissonance, the standard nmfr mapping is not a good representation of the physical dysfunctions. The EDMF must first be neutralized in order to detect the true myofascial mapping.


Note that, on top of standard mobilities, the organs have reciprocal motilities.
Once you have palpated the mobility and inherent motility of the organs, an induction technique can improve the organs' movement. The best initial guage is organ movement in comparison to its contralateral twin.
The induction technique in its simplest form would involve chasing and enhancing organ movement at its endrange.

By contrast, an endrange challenge plus microsecond counter-push is best for treating allergy and emotional dissonance motilities.

The Structural Tensegrity Induction Technique may be used for most connective tissue. It is part of the RDT protocols for turning off neuromyofascial protective modes.

That's it for this installment of MMG Practitioner Notes.

We hope to see familiar faces and great new ones when next we meet.
Proposed dates: June 06, 2010 - Cebu or Pasig
May 31 - Pasig City or San Juan
Proposed topics: "Articulatory Techniques for Everything," and
"Integrated Techniques for Manipulation of the Thorax"

See ya then, see ya there.


Yours in the Evolution of the Field,

Strix

visceral manipulation notes (Part I)

Sharing Session / Seminar / Workshop:

Palpation, Diagnostic, & Technical Skills LAB for Neuromyofascial, Cranial, & Visceral Manipulation

[ 10am to 3pm; May 16, 2010 ]

VENUE: A.I.C.A. http://aicaculinary.com/ [Contacts: Rheysonn Cornilla / Dionne Chua ]  www.manualmedsolutions.org 

Dionne's in charge of accepting committments for May 16, 2010. She's at: (63)905 426 9496

Regular cost-share: P2,500. Super limited slots. The only way to get discounts is to contact Dionne ASAP.

A super-brief Introduction:
Cranial-Sacral Therapy (CST)

The cranial-sacral system addresses bones and membranes that surround the central nervous system. Restrictions here can strain neural tissues and affect coorespondingly innervated somatic areas, organs, or tissues. CST uses light manual techniques aimed at inducing relaxation responses that decrease, unwind, or remove neural tissue strain. CST, while particularly effective for treatment-resistant headaches, also have positive bearing on varied cases of unresolved chronic muscle and joint pain.

 Case studies show usefulness in helping resolve some digestive and neuro-endocrine disorders. Learning curves, attention spans, and memory retention are often reported improved.

-----------------------
VM: A brief Introduction:

Visceral Manipulation involves hands-on techniques that alter restrictions imposed on the visceral organs. The aim is release of previously impaired mobility and motility. This normalized organ freedom of movement may also release musculoskeletal structures that have been secondarily affected. Reflexive guarding and adhesions causing Somatic Dysfunctions may be broken up with Visceral techniques. The approaches adapted here are meant as a practical introduction to Visceral Manipulation. It is hoped that newbies will be spurred on by their new discoveries and successes with treatments, and that long-time practitioners gain new understandings into how best to utilize old and new treatment techniques.

This is not intended to be an intense anatomical review. Practitioners are expected to work within the regulation of their respective professions. The organizers of this workshop waive liability from any damages that may be incurred by unsupervised and improper use of the techniques demonstrated.

Intended Outcomes for this session will include:

·        An understanding of Viscero-somatic interplay and the influence of Visceral Restrictions on selected musculoskeletal conditions.

·        Understanding differences between motility and mobility

·        Recognizing organ locations and movements.

·        Learning basic fascial tension and recognizing a neuromyofacial unwind.

·        Understanding and using the Therapeutic Pulse.

·        Recognizing subltle motilities of selected organs.

·        Understanding the Tensegrity concept and using it as a treatment mechanism.

·        Understanding the possibility of a strong interplay between emotions and Viscero-somatic reactions.

·        Understanding how emotional stress can give rise to somatic conditions such as TMJ problems, chronic neck pain, shoulder pain, sub-occipital pain, migraine headaches, tension headaches, and lower back pain.

·        Understanding and using Autonomic Shifts.

·        Recognizing protective and adaptive mechanisms.

·        Incorporating a treatment mechanism as an endpoint for the fine-tuned palpation skills.

·        Developing an improved understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of Visceral Dysfunctions.

·        Demonstration and return demonstration for selected Visceral Manipulation Techniques.

·        Developing an understanding of how to incorporate Visceral Manipulation in clinical treatments.

·        A basic Understanding of how to incorporate treatments in an integrative way, as may address Viscero-Somatic and Junctional Somatic Dysfucntions.

As this is a mixed introductory session, time will also be allotted for Cranial Manipulation and a recap and adaptation of selected techniques from previous Sessions, which were for Somatic Manipulation.

·        Minimum course hours: six. Call time: 10 am. Early exit: 3 pm.

·        Please be aware that we habitually start early and have been trying for 3 years to not end late.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The primary workshop facilitator has been practicing OMT professionally from 2004. He holds diplomas and master certifications in a few techniques, and certifications in several techniques. He has also received training from a cat named after a local pharmaceutical index, “Mims.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Visceral Manipulation - Basic Background (VM, Ventral OMT techniques)

Practice notes for Visceral Manipulation Session

 The Question:

can organ changes affect somatic tissues?

This page will make the most sense to those who do (or have done)

Visceral Manipulation.

We'll update this page whenever we can.

Causation / Etiology:

truama / infections / surgery / emotions

mobility

1.     Refers to an organ’s movement in relation to other organs, or to “extrinsic” forces.

2.     Mobility is primarily driven by diaphragmatic movement. The diaphragm moves 25,000 x day

3.     kidneys - 2.5 3 cm displacement. TDE = 600-700 M

F / T / S planes

turgor displacement

inherent pressure of the major cavities:

·        cranium +15

·        thorax -5

·        abdomen +15

·        pelvis +30

·        liver 1.5-2kgs; effective weight at C2: 400g

Relation of immunity to manipulation of the lung, liver, pancreas, and spleen

Emotional Integration

Contraindications:

·        Pulsatile aorta (aneurysm)

·        strong pleuropulonary techniques are a contra-indication for direct thoracic techniqes.

reflexive techniques may be substituted or used as the primary or initial treamtment.

That's it for now.

Meanwhile, may we invite you to join us?

Sharing Session / Seminar / Workshop:

Palpation, Diagnostic, & Technical Skills LAB for Neuromyofascial, Cranial, & Visceral Manipulation

[ 10am to 3pm; May 16, 2010 ]

VENUE: A.I.C.A. http://aicaculinary.com [Contacts: Rheysonn Cornilla / Dionne Chua ]  www.manualmedsolutions.org 

Dionne's in charge of accepting committments for May 16, 2010. She's at: (63)905 426 9496

Regular cost-share: P2,500. Super limited slots. The only way to get discounts is to contact Dionne ASAP.

Trauma, lack of exercise, physical deconditioning, cumulative soft tissue injury, inflammation, surgery, or obesity can displace, restrict, tighten, or scar ligament and fascia that surround, support, or suspend organs. Fascial and ligamentous injury can result in focal strains that cause tissue or organ dysfunction and injury. Pain and inflammation cycles are facilitated. VM uses soft vectoral techniques aimed at re-engaging normal suspension or movement of internal tissues / organs.

The notion of tissue restrictions or compliance to movement extends to the viscera. Organs, fascia, mesentery, and visceral ligaments move along and in relation to each other in much the same way that we know normal fascia-muscle compartments do. This notion of mobility in relation to each other is differentiated from intrinsic organ motility. Organs are mobile in relation to each other and often possess an internal movement or motility. As all fascia moves with breathing, the lungs move as we breathe, the stomach and intestines move in relation to each other during peristalsis, the urinary bladder shifts location somewhat when we piss. Viscera also move around a bit with ambulation. Visceral mobility restrictions are thought to restrict normal fluid, solid, and impulse conduction through individual organs. VM addresses these restrictions.

Musculoskeletal conditions linked to visceral involvement include:

1. Mid to low back pain: The colon’s attachment to the back of the abdominal compartment may be strained. This can lend ligamentous tightness or displacement which, in turn, can inhibit normal spinal movement. These spinal segmental dysfunctions result in their related pain constellations.

2. Neck stiffness and pain: The suspensory ligaments of the lung and the pericardium all attach to cervical vertebrae. Ligamentous involvement here can cause cervical joint compression and flexion cervical somatic dysfunction. A forward head posture may thus actually be more closely related to a lung problem than to a thoracic spine dysfunction.

3. Shoulder restrictions and pain: Most paramedical personnel are familiar with the fact that gallbladder inflammation can result in pain that radiates to the right shoulder. Nerves that supply the suspensory ligaments of the liver stem from the spinal segment that innervates the shoulder. Liver suspensory ligament involvement may thus result in shoulder somatic dysfunctions.

4. Peripheral joint pain: Visceral compartment restrictions can transmit tension via adjacent myofascial trains into the limbs. These tension lines can cause compressive and torsional joint irritation and dysfunction.

5. Comparative Studies have found Visceral Manipulation also Beneficial for:

Somatic-Visceral Interactions

Chronic Spinal Dysfunction

Headaches and Migraine headaches

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hip and Knee Pain

Sciatica

Whiplash

Seatbelt Injuries

Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries

Visceral Manipulation has been known to improve:

1. Fatigue: Abnormal fascial tension or scarring from at the visceral suspension system may result from inflammation, surgery, and blunt or countercoup trauma. Loss of organ mobility due to restrictions of surrounding and supporting tissues have been linked to general fatigue. By example, lessened fatigue has been reported by whiplash-injured VA patients. Faster recovery rates and lower incidences of depressive symptoms have likewise been reported.

2. GI motility disorders: Ileus, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome: Abnormal fascial tension or scarring from at the small and large intestinal suspension system may result from inflammation, surgery, or blunt trauma. This causes restrictions that negatively alter bowel motility and function.

3. Hemorrhoids: The venous drainage from the rectum toward the liver is impeded when the hepatoduodenal ligament is abnormally tight. The resultant vascular congestion can cause or aggravate hemorrhoids.

4. Incontinence: Ligamentous tightness and muscle hypertonus may limit proper urinary bladder expansion and emptying.

5. Comparative Studies have found Visceral Manipulation Beneficial for:

Digestive Disorders

Bloating and Constipation

Nausea and Acid Reflux

GERD

Swallowing Dysfunctions
Women’s and Men’s Health Issues

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Endometriosis

Fibroids and Cysts

Dysmenorrhea

Bladder Incontinence

Prostate Dysfunction

Referred Testicular Pain

Effects of Menopause Pain Related to

Post-operative Scar Tissue

Post-infection Scar Tissue

Autonomic Mechanism Dysfunctions

Pediatric Issues

Constipation and Gastritis

Persistent Vomiting

Vesicoureteral Reflux

Infant Colic

Emotional Issues

Anxiety and Depression

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

------------------------------------------------