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Are you a resident of Austin, Texas, looking for effective ways to address pain and improve your overall health? At our clinic, we offer a unique blend of Physical Therapy, Pilates, Gyrotonic, and Manual Therapy to help you achieve optimal well-being. One of our specialized techniques, Visceral Manipulation (VM), can be an incredibly beneficial addition to your treatment plan.

What is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a specialized manual therapy technique. It focuses on the internal organs, or viscera, like the liver, kidneys, and intestines. French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral developed this method. VM aims to enhance the normal mobility, tone, and motion of organs and their connective tissues. This gentle, hands-on approach releases restrictions and unhealthy compensations, leading to pain and dysfunction. By addressing the body’s internal structures, VM promotes overall health and well-being. This method complements more traditional physical therapy techniques, offering a holistic approach to health.

How Does Visceral Manipulation Work?

The core principle behind VM is that the body is interconnected. Restrictions or dysfunction in one area can create a cascade of effects throughout the body. For example, a restriction in the liver can cause compensatory patterns in the spine, leading to back pain. By gently mobilizing the organ, VM can help restore proper function and alleviate pain not just locally, but throughout the body.

During a VM session, a skilled practitioner will use gentle pressure to move the organs in specific directions. These movements can help release adhesions, improve blood flow, and restore normal motion. This process can be incredibly subtle, but its effects can be profound, leading to improved organ function, reduced pain, and better overall health.

Why Work with a Physical Therapist Trained in Visceral Manipulation?

While many physical therapists focus on the musculoskeletal system, those trained in Visceral Manipulation bring a unique and comprehensive approach to patient care. Here’s why working with a physical therapist who understands and performs VM is beneficial:

• Holistic Approach:
  • Physical therapists with VM training consider the entire body, not just the area of pain. This holistic approach can uncover hidden causes of pain and dysfunction that might be missed with traditional therapies.
• Comprehensive Assessment:
  • A VM-trained therapist will conduct a thorough assessment that includes evaluating the movement and function of internal organs. This comprehensive assessment can reveal underlying issues contributing to your symptoms.
• Targeted Treatment:
  • By addressing restrictions and dysfunctions in the viscera, a physical therapist can provide targeted treatment that goes beyond surface-level symptoms. This can lead to more effective and lasting relief.
• Improved Outcomes:
  • Combining VM with traditional physical therapy techniques can enhance overall treatment outcomes. Patients often experience faster recovery, reduced pain, and improved function when VM is integrated into their care plan.
• Personalized Care:
  • Every patient is unique, and VM-trained therapists tailor their approach to meet individual needs. This personalized care ensures that each treatment session is as effective as possible.
• Prevention of Recurrence:
  • By addressing the root causes of dysfunction, VM can help prevent the recurrence of pain and other symptoms. This proactive approach promotes long-term health and well-being.

Conditions Benefited by Visceral Manipulation

VM can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including:

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Digestive disorders such as IBS and constipation
• Urinary and reproductive issues
• Respiratory conditions like asthma
• Post-surgical adhesions and scar tissue
• Chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders

Conclusion

Visceral Manipulation offers a powerful and holistic approach to healing that complements traditional physical therapy. By working with a physical therapist trained in VM at our Austin, Texas clinic, you can benefit from a comprehensive assessment and targeted treatment that addresses the root causes of your symptoms. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, digestive issues, or other health concerns, VM can help you achieve improved function and overall well-being. Embrace the path to comprehensive healing with Visceral Manipulation and take advantage of our combined expertise in Physical Therapy, Pilates, Gyrotonic, and Manual Therapy. Your journey to better health starts here.

Contact Us: Your Solution for Visceral Manipulation in Austin

Are you searching for a skilled practitioner in Visceral Manipulation? Look no further. At CORE Therapy and Pilates, we specialize in a comprehensive approach that includes Visceral Manipulation, Physical Therapy, Pilates, and the Gyrotonic Method. Our team is dedicated to addressing your pain and promoting overall health.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic discomfort or seeking preventative care, we have the expertise to help. Contact us today to learn how our unique therapy methods can improve your well-being and guide you towards optimal health.

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Hey guys… it’s Stephen here from CORE Therapy and Pilates… Happy Friday folks… I hope you had a great week, I hope you’ve stayed dry and warm out there.

Today I want to present a little bit on the recovery series… So once you’ve been skiing and your quads are thrashed and your ankles are thrashed, this is a series of things to do while you’re in the mountains. Everything we’ve done so far has been in preparation for the mountains or let me say it this way, as you’re preparing for the mountains, as your muscles get sore and tight, this is a way to help loosen up the muscles.

Today we’re going to use a couple of props: a foam roller, a rolling pin and different size balls to loosen up the muscles that have been overworked while you’re preparing for your skiing trip. With that said, I want to really start talking about two spots that I get the most shredding when it comes to skiing and it’s the quads and it’s right in the inner knees. So what I’m going to show you is a couple of things to do to manage the recovery piece. Stretching is good, but I find that using balls and foam rollers and different props are a lot more effective…

I’ve got a bigger sized tennis ball, it’s from Petco and this would be something I would recommend bringing with you to the mountains. Now what we’re going to do is lay down and put that ball right here between the legs while the feet go apart a little bit. All I’m going to do is roll my legs side to side. As I’m rolling side to side, I’m giving a good amount of pressure into that ball, so that little motion right there for several minutes is very good for releasing the quads and the inner thighs. That is one option…

Another option is the rolling pin… you can use a regular rolling pin out of your kitchen or this is called ‘The Stick’ and it has a little give to it. I’m certainly going to bring this with me on my ski trip, it’ll pack up nicely. Then you just roll your quads through here and the key with this is to roll in a straight position, turn it inwards to roll on the inner thigh and then you can roll it on that outer thigh. So that’s something that really makes a big difference after you’ve been working really hard out on the mountain or if you’ve been on a jog, this isn’t just for skiing. It is a skier series, but let’s say you’ve been out jogging or exercising, you can do any of this stuff for that as well… It doesn’t take a whole lot of force… inward and then outward… That’s two ways to release the quads, with the stick or a rolling pin and the big tennis ball.

I’m going to be driving to the mountains so I am bringing a big foam roller, if you’re not driving to the mountain, the small foam roller might be effective and then there’s also the grid. I actually travel with the grid because then I put the balls and the stick in here (the hallow part) and I pack it all together that way. With a regular foam roller, or a small one we’re going to get onto the quad. Now I’m a little wide for this, but I will barely fit, a lot of my clients will fit just fine. Get down in a plank position on your elbows and lay onto both quads and roll back and forth. The key here is to keep your abdominals engaged, you don’t your back sagging down to the ground and then roll on those quads… so those are just different options to get into the quads, all of them require some kind of tool.

Now I’m going to talk about the IT band… many people, they roll their IT band on the foam roller… I’m not a fan of that, I disagree with it, I would say if you are rolling your IT band using the foam roller… I would stop because it’s probably not helping it. I wrote a blog on that about a year ago that I’ll link to this so that you can see that as well. I’m not going to go into any more detail on that. So avoid the IT band, however the lateral quads are super important to release…

Now I’m going to talk about the glutes, in particular the piriformis. With the small roller, we’re going to sit on the roller and keep all the weight on one cheek. I’ve got all the weight on my left side here (when you watch this video it’s gonna look like I’m on my right side, they flip these videos for some reason) and I’m just rolling on my left cheek here. Then I’m going to cross my left leg over my right leg (again it’s gonna look like my right over my left in the video) and then roll them back and forth… so that’s your piriformis and you’ll do that on both sides.

The next two we’re going to do are the shins and the calves. The shins and calves are getting over worked a lot with the whole process of skiing or snowboarding. For the calves, I like to use the foam roller. Put that one leg on the roller, now I then put my other leg on it, lift my rear and do a little bit of back and forth rolling on my calves. This is good because it helps you work on your core as well. Now the shin, two options. One option is gonna be on the foam roller. We want to make sure that we’re not on the bone, but just out to the side. So then we get into this position and I’ve got my toe turned in just a little bit and then roll them back and forth and that’s the anterior tibialis… alright, now you can also use the stick for option two and roll it over the shin muscle, not the bone,…

I’m giving you several options, if you bring a rolling pin and a tennis ball you can do most of everything you need to do, the grid or the small foam roller gives you a couple more options… so that’s it for today.

I wanted to give you some recovery ideas… Everything we’ve done so far has been about strength, balance, ankles, knees, hips and core…well now what do you do when you’ve worked hard and maybe those guys are sore? This is the routine to do, so I hope that helps, I hope that makes sense…

Y’all have a fantastic day… like, comment and subscribe on youtube or facebook… we’ll see y’all soon guys…Happy Friday!

Call 512-215-4227 Now to learn more about we can help…

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Lesson #1

Recovery is not as easy as what doctors claim it to be. Recovery is different for everyone. I developed post-surgery blues. I developed a fear to move my body. I also became anxious, I felt regret, regret that I permanently damaged my body. I worried incessantly about scar tissues/adhesions and there is a reason for my concern. That stuff can get serious. Unfortunately, the doctor failed to mention it. So lesson #1, make sure you do the research before committing to surgery. Also, get a few second opinions so that you have the big picture. Take time to fully understand the risks and benefits. Doctors tend to be overly positive about surgery but they are not the ones who will experience the consequences.

Lesson #2

Surgery is not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning. Recovery is tedious. If you had surgery, seek out a physical therapist/massage therapist/movement specialist to work on balancing your body again. Scar tissue/adhesions may cause body imbalances that may cause serious problems later on. Also, have a support system in place, like family and friends to help with recovery. Lastly, nurture your body with gentle movement and a healthy diet.

Lesson #3

Don’t look at healthcare in terms of dollar signs. My surgery was covered 100 % but the true price I paid was in the health of my mind. It’s odd how insurance doesn’t pay for non-invasive holistic treatment such as acupuncture or massage, but it covers surgery that may cause additional problems (that could lead to further surgeries). Find a doctor that respects you and understands you as a person. Unfortunately, western medicine tends to treat just the body, ignoring the rest. If you think mind doesn’t matter, think again. Watch this ted talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/guy_winch_the_case_for_emotional_hygiene

If you are navigating the medical world, here are some inspirational resources. Read Atul Gawande’s book, “Being Mortal”. He is a neurosurgeon believe it or not, but recognizes that patients are human beings. He gives me hope. Another book I suggest reading is called “Full Catastrophe Living” by Jon Kabat-Zinn for those dealing with chronic pain or stress. The mind is a powerful tool to have if used correctly and can translate into miraculous healing.

I would like to conclude that not all surgeries are bad, but just know that it treats the symptom, not the root cause of the problem leaving a trail of after effects that are unwanted and unexpected.

What does holistic medicine mean? According to Google, it is characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease. I whole heartedly believe in holistic treatment. The unexpected psychological trauma that I experienced reaffirmed the big why.

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