Visceral Manipulation for Gut Health in Asheville

Visceral Manipulation was developed by world-renowned French Osteopath and Physical Therapist Jean-Pierre Barral. This modality assists functional and structural imbalances throughout the body, with a core focus on the organs around the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Visceral Manipulation is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the internal organs, their environment, and the potential influence on many structural dysfunctions. The purpose of Visceral Manipulation is to rebalance and increase proprioceptive communication in the body to enhance its ability for better health, thereby revitalizing a person, and relieving symptoms of pain, dysfunction, and poor posture.

There are many reasons for organs to lose their mobility including physical traumas, surgeries, sedentary lifestyle, infections, pollution, bad diet, poor posture and pregnancy/delivery. When an organ is no longer freely mobile but is fixed to another structure, the body is forced to compensate. This disharmony creates fixed, abnormal points of tension and the chronic irritation gives way to problems throughout the body – this is where VM can assist in the recovery process.

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 many treatments will I need to see results?

The number of VM sessions it takes to see results varies from person to person.  Clients typically see improved results after 2-3 sessions, which are booked on a 3-6 week cycle., as the organs need time to adjust to their new alignment.

How does the treatment feel?

Visceral Manipulation is a gentle compression that can feel like a stretch or mild pressure in the abdominal region. The stretching may result in some mild discomfort, but should feel beneficial after the treatment.

What are the contraindications?

There are few contraindications to visceral manipulation including recent surgery. It is advised to wait at least 6 weeks post surgery to book your session. Additional contraindications include acute infection (especially untreated), inflammation, and signs of recent trauma.

What should I wear during a treatment?

Most Visceral Manipulation sessions are preformed with direct contact with the skin of the abdomen and surrounding areas. You may fluctuate between a sitting position on a treatment table, or on your back with your face up. For women, it’s best to wear a loose fitting athletic top with no wiring and comfortable loose fitting yoga pants (or shorts). For men, it is recommended you wear loose fitting shorts or yoga pants.

Visceral Manipulation can support the following conditions: