What is Visceral Manipulation?
Everything in the universe is in motion. Electrons, mountains, the ocean and the human body. The viscera (organs) of the abdomen, pelvis and chest are surrounded by sliding membranes which allows them to move freely in respect to each other. They slide and glide when we walk, eat, laugh and even breath. The diaphragm completes approximately 22,000 movements a day, the heart beats approximately 120,000 times a day, the full stomach produces peristaltic waves every three minutes and the kidneys move 3 cm with each breath. If these action are altered due to any pathology the natural rhythm can change dramatically causing pathologies, tissue changes and restrictions to develop. These restrictions decrease the mobility of the viscera causing further restrictions, scar tissue and eventually functional and systemic problems.
Visceral manipulation, or in very simple terms, organ massage, can help decrease these restrictions and pathologies and restore the viscera to its healthy, slippery, mobile self.
Benefits of visceral massage
Increase motility (movement) of individual organs and organ systems
Remove toxins and waste build up in the tissues
Restore fluid balance to the gut
Help with the absorption of fats and other vital nutrients Improve function of the sphincters in the digestive tract
Decrease muscle spasticity
Help break up scar tissue
Indications for lymphatic/visceral massage
Edema/Lymphedema
Acute injury or accident
Pre/post surgery
Sinus and allergy conditions
Headaches/Migraine
Bone pathologies - Spinal Pain, meniscus tears, hip and knee replacements sprain, fracture Digestive disorders- constipation, IBS, colitis, Crohns, celiac, colic, hemorrhoids
Gynecological Concerns- Painful menstruation or ovulation, post trauma scarring, excessive bleeding, menopause symptoms, postpartum, prolapse, fibroids, hormone imbalances, PMS, infertility, breast pain
Prostatitis
Burns, scars and bruising
Dental, orthodontics
Ophthalmology - macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, visual acuity
Esthetic- skin tone, wrinkles, bags under eyes, cellulite, eczema
Chronic Pain
Depression/anxiety, stress- Lymphatic massage can help transport hormones that help down regulate the body
Fibromyalgia/CFS
Viruses- Epstein Barr, CMV, HIV, cold and flu
Pediatrics- Colic, restlessness, tonsillitis, allergy and any condition listed for adults
Who can benefit from this work? The short answer is, just about everyone. If no contraindications exist most people can benefit greatly from lymphatic drainage. It is often deeply relaxing and should never be painful. If contraindications are respected it is safe and beneficial from infancy to end of life.
Why Lymphatic and Visceral Massage Combination
Half of our lymph system resides in the gut which is why I find it so valuable to combine lymphatic and visceral massage. Removing excess fluids and toxins from the organs and spaces surrounding the organs can restore health and vitality more effectively than one modality alone.
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