Did you know that almost every organ in your body is covered or supported by fascia? Fascia is a unique connective tissue made mostly of collagen that helps to connect everything in the body and provides support and lubrication to all of your organs, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Think of fascia like a giant network of internet fibers connecting everything in the body. If tension patterns form within the vast fascial network deep in the body, it will cause a cascade of issues that can appear far from the origin of the tightness or tension.
Did you also know that almost every organ in your body is always moving? Each organ has its own rhythm that helps it work most efficiently, but if the fascia on or around that organ is too tight or sticky, then the organ can’t move the way it’s supposed to, which can affect its function. This is where visceral mobilization can be very helpful. “Visceral” means internal organs and “mobilization” refers to the act of making something movable. Using very specific manual therapy techniques, specially trained physical therapists are able to release the fascia around the organs and encourage their normal movements patterns in order to improve their function.
Visceral mobilization also helps improve blood flow and lymphatic flow to the region, which helps remove waste products from the area and aids the overall function of the organs and surrounding soft tissue. Visceral manipulation helps to gain space around the organ and within an organ that may be compressed, restricted or adhered to another structure. Visceral manipulation has been proven to help prevent and release adhesions and also improve lumbopelvic pain, infertility, surgical pain (including c-sections and hysterectomies), scar pain, and bowel activity. After an abdominal surgery, scar tissue can form around the organs, compromising their mobility and ability to function most effectively. Through visceral mobilization, the physical therapist can gently introduce movement and ease tension on the internal organs. Other issues that can be helped with Visceral Manipulation include gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), constipation, bladder problems such as interstitial cystitis, diastasis recti, chronic sensitivities, breathing problems, and endometriosis.
At Magic City Physical Therapy in Hoover, AL, we use visceral mobilization to help with many different conditions, including pelvic floor dysfunction and orthopedic problems such as pelvic pain, constipation, bladder dysfunction, low back pain, and post-operative healing. We use this technique in combination with other techniques to get your whole body moving better. By utilizing different manual therapy and exercise techniques, we are able to help improve your overall function.
If traditional exercise and self-treatment has been ineffective for you, please contact us at Magic City Physical Therapy to see if visceral mobilization can help with your problem!
