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Visceral Mobilization and You

What is visceral mobilization and how can it help me?

The term viscera refers to the internal organs of your body.  This can include organs of your digestive tract, those involved in reproduction and urination, and those involved for vital functions such as your heart and lungs.  Visceral mobilization or manipulation refers to the movement of these various structures within the body, and ways to improve movement if they do not move well.

When your body is in a very efficient state, your organs, muscles, nerves, bones, and general tissues move well around one another.  There is efficient blood flow to and around these structures and they function optimally.   But the movement of these tissues can become limited for various reasons.  This lack of movement can both influence how the organs work as well as how the tissues around the area work.  For example, an injury to abdominal muscles can not only affect how the muscles work, which could influence low back pain, but that same injury could influence how the small intestine moves and works, thus influencing how well you digest your food.   Since a majority of your immune system lives in your digestive tract, this muscular injury could also influence how your immune system works.  Conversely, if you have digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome or frequent acid reflux, the function of your digestive tract may be impaired, which may influence how the muscles around the digestive tract function, and could contribute to low back pain.   To summarize, the ability of the muscles, nerves, bones, and organs to move can have significant impact on how your body functions.

Visceral mobilization or manipulation can be used for a myriad of reasons to improve how your body functions.  It can be used for:

  • Pain, especially in the spine or related to the spine, but can also influence the arms, legs, and head.
  • Digestive disorders such as bloating, constipation, nausea, acid reflux, and GERD
  • Pelvic health issues such as pelvic pain, incontinence, difficulties with getting pregnant, or problems related to the prostate or menstrual cycle.

If you believe visceral mobilization could help you move better, call 970-221-1201 to schedule an appointment with physical therapist Dr. Heather Sieler, our specialist in visceral mobilization!

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