Visceral Manipulation - Jean Anne Zollars, PT, DPT, MA

“Let your body speak.”  Jean-Pierre Barral DO, MRO(F), PT

Visceral Manipulation (VM), developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, a French osteopath, helps to release the tensions within and around organs of the body to encourage the organs to move better.  Organs include: the stomach, esophagus, liver, small intestine, gallbladder, large intestine, pancreas, bladder, kidneys, ureters, uterus, ovaries & fallopian tubes, prostate, heart, lungs, and trachea.  If the organ is moving better, its function will be enhanced.  Also, when an organ is restricted, the mobility of surrounding structures is diminished.  So, if a person has neck, shoulder, hip or back pain, visceral restrictions may be playing a role in the person’s pain and dysfunction.  VM helps to restore balance in the body, thus improving health.

For example, a person may have neck pain and headaches.  Upon evaluation, the esophagus may be very restricted, pulling on the head and neck.  When asked, the person says, “Yes indeed, I struggle with gastroesophageal reflux”.  Working with the esophagus and its neighboring structures will be part of this person’s treatment to help reduce neck and head pain.

Another woman comes to the clinic with urinary incontinence when she coughs.  “Listening” and mobility tests indicate that the uterine cervix is pulling the bladder posterior and to the left.  The uterus is also pulling on the sacrum via the uterosacral ligaments.  Because of this tissue pulls, the bladder mechanics and pressures are out-of-balance, contributing to her incontinence.  Visceral manipulation can help to regain mobility of these structures, helping the bladder to move appropriately, thus helping with incontinence.

Further information about Visceral Manipulation can be found at: www.barralinstitute.com