Visceral Manipulation

For those who experience more chronic/ nagging discomfort, may have challenges with chronic illness, deal with gastrointestinal issues, complex histories of injury/pain and may experience flare ups from deep tissue massage.

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What Is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral manipulation is an osteopathic-style bodywork technique developed by French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral. It’s a low-force but highly precise modality that taps into the body’s natural communication systems through a method called listening.


Listening to the Body

During a session, I use this “listening” technique to let the body speak—revealing which specific structure needs extra support. It’s a subtle but powerful way to tune into what’s actually going on beneath the surface.

Beyond Muscles and Bones

Visceral manipulation works not just on muscles and joints, but also on deeper layers like organs, nerves, blood vessels, and fascia—areas often overlooked but essential to how the body functions and feels.

Details

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Initial Session — 90 minutes — $160 — Includes a thorough intake and assessment to guide your personalized treatment plan.

Follow Up Sessions:

  • 90 minute sessions- $160

  • 60 minute sessions - $120

Recommended Number of Sessions:

The number of sessions depends on your goals, concerns, and how your body responds. Some feel relief after just 1–2 visits, while others start with more frequent sessions that gradually taper off. Those who practice good self-care at home often see great results in 3–6 sessions and choose to continue monthly for maintenance.

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When Other Modalities Haven’t Worked

Visceral manipulation is often especially helpful for people who’ve tried a wide range of bodywork therapies without lasting relief. That’s because persistent pain or dysfunction is sometimes rooted in areas we don’t typically associate with the issue.

For example:

  • Chronic hip pain may be related to fascial tension around the kidney

  • Ongoing right shoulder discomfort may stem from the liver being stuck in a non-anatomical position

This kind of work helps unwind those deeper connections and restore ease where it’s been missing.

Visceral Manipulation is Supportive For

Note: Visceral manipulation is contraindicated in acute injuries or during a stage of flare-up in all cases.

  • People struggling with chronic viral/bacterial conditions (Epstein-Barr Virus, Lyme disease) who tend to get flare-ups from massage and craniosacral therapy.

  • Chronic autoimmune conditions—long-term autoimmune conditions create a stressful environment for the body, which can impact how the organs and other tissues communicate with each other. For example, irritable bowel syndrome can create dense layers of fascia around the small intestine and colon, which can be alleviated with gentle visceral manipulation techniques. It is always recommended that folks with autoimmune conditions work with a primary care provider in addition to receiving visceral manipulation.

  • Musculoskeletal injuries or orthopedic surgeries—during injury or surgery, many other structures around the body are impacted. Visceral manipulation is used to help restore function and range of motion in the affected area and to speed healing.

  • Abdominal surgery—often, abdominal surgery entails filling the abdominal cavity with air. While this is a useful technique for surgeons, it often dries out tissue that typically requires a certain level of moisture, which can create uncomfortable adhesions. After the acute phase of abdominal surgery has passed, visceral manipulation can help restore the fluidity of the abdominal tissues.

  • Spinal surgery/injury/paralyzation—the spine is a complex structure that houses many important components that aid in the overall function of the human organism. Spinal trauma can come in many forms, and compensatory patterns can manifest as a result. Visceral manipulation excels at sleuthing out the areas that need extra support in order to provide more freedom to the client and generate an overall sense of ‘home’ in one’s body again.

  • Digestive complaints—constipation, loose stools, history of parasites, acid reflux, malabsorption. Visceral manipulation helps free up adhesions in the upper and lower digestive tract and aids in the restoration of proper function and placement of digestive and accessory organs. With chronic digestive complaints, it is always advised to work with a primary care provider in addition to receiving visceral manipulation.