One of our talented RMT’s, Zam Ramirez, speaks to an incredible manual therapy that she’s passionate about:
What’s Visceral Manipulation?
“Viscera” relates to the body’s internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys and intestines.
Visceral Manipulation or VM is a gentle manual therapy that aid’s your body’s ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain and dysfunction. VM does not focus solely on the site of discomfort but evaluates the entire body to find the source of the problem. The VM therapist can re-establish the body’s ability to adapt and restore itself to health through different techniques.
How many sessions does it take?
The number of treatments will differ according to each person’s situation, and a treatment plan will be customized based on how the body responds. Zam can integrate VM into a regular 60 min or 90 min massage.
What does it feel like?
It feels like a gentle compression, mobilization and elongation in the abdomen. No oil is used, but contact with the skin is still performed.
How do organs contribute to pain and dysfunction?
Your body is made up of many interconnected components – bones, muscles, nerves, a thin connective tissue called fascia, as well as organs. The organs are in constant motion. When you breathe, walk and stretch, your organs move in your chest and abdomen. This movement transmits through the fascia.
Organs can lose mobility due to physical trauma, surgery, lifestyle, infection, pollution, diet, posture, pregnancy and such. When an organ is fixed to another structure, the body is forced to compensate.
For example: Imagine scar tissue around the lungs. Every breath requires movement, but the scar tissue alters the typical pattern. This could shift rib movement, creating pulls on the spine resulting in mid-back and neck pain and limiting shoulder movement. This is just one of many possible ramifications of a small dysfunction.
Visceral Manipulation Benefits:
Whiplash & Seat belt injuries
Sports Injuries
Lower back pain and sciatica
Headaches & Migraines
Carpal Tunnel
Joint Pain
Digestive Disorders
Acid Reflux
Post-Operative Scar Tissue
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Women’s health issues
And more!
Yours in health,
Zam