The results of Visceral Manipulation are incredibly profound. And yet, I find it’s one of the hardest to understand the potential benefits of before receiving this type of work.
There’s actually a scientific reason for this!
Muscles are controlled by the Somatic Nervous System. Organs are controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System. Issues and restrictions in the organs we tend to feel as non-localized, non-specific sensations. Sometimes this can be an ache, or just a general feeling of limitation of movement. It stays under the level of consciousness.
On the other hand, we’re usually well aware of sensations in the Somatic Nervous System, be that the sensation of touch, a “tight” muscle, or a stitch in your side from running.
I’m sharing this particular example (with permission of course), because while the results and ramifications of Visceral Manipulation extend well beyond the organs themselves, it’s helpful to have an example of what that actually means.
Mary McManus shares her experience of receiving a session of Visceral Manipulation.
A couple days later she emailed me to tell me how this was settling into her body. She’s training for a 5k, so has been running frequently.
The IT band and hamstring issues that had been creating pain down her leg were gone.
We did not work with her IT band, or even her leg, at all!
Through releasing restrictions within the organ system, and between the organs and their surroundings, the whole body is able to work together more cooperatively and freely. This particular issue, that remained unresolved after other approaches, was able to finally resolve with Visceral work.
-Joanna