By Sarah Ellison, PT, DPT
Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a variety of techniques to improve gut and bowel health. One lesser-known but increasingly sought out form of treatment is visceral manipulation (VM). VM is a gentle hands-on therapy that seeks to optimize the movement and function of internal organs. It has sparked the interest of both patients and their referring providers for the symptom improvement that it provides. This blog post will outline its use and benefits in pelvic floor therapy care.
What is Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral manipulation (VM) is a manual therapy where a trained provider applies gentle pressure and movement to the abdomen to improve fascial restrictions around the internal organs, or "viscera." This technique enhances organ mobility, helping restore optimal function and alleviate symptoms. VM can be used to specifically improve bloating and constipation by addressing the fascial restrictions and muscular tension that limits the movement of the digestive organs.
How Does Visceral Manipulation Improve Gut Health?
Restoring Digestive Organs’ Mobility
Restrictions in digestive organ mobility can arise from a variety of reasons, including scar tissue from prior surgeries, chronic inflammation, or trauma. Individuals recovering from abdominal or pelvic surgeries, such as cesarean sections, hysterectomies, or surgeries for endometriosis, may develop adhesions or scar tissue that can restrict this mobility and lead to both pelvic floor and digestive issues. VM targets these restrictions by mobilizing the fascia, improving the movement and function of the organs.
Increasing Proprioceptive Communication within the Body
Visceral Manipulation (VM) enhances internal body awareness by offering hands-on biofeedback. This increased awareness helps alleviate visceral hypersensitivity and reduce tension in the abdominal wall. As a result, VM supports peristalsis, the muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract, and fosters better diaphragm-abdominal interaction, both of which are crucial for optimal digestive function. These issues are frequently seen in Functional Gut Disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Abdominophrenic Dyssynergia, making VM a valuable tool in managing bloating related to these conditions.
Supporting the Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis is the communication link between the brain and digestive system. Increasing research delves into this interaction, explaining the relationship between stress and anxiety on digestive issues and vice versa. Manual therapies, including VM, are often used to influence the autonomic nervous system (also known as our “rest and digest” system) for improved gut functioning. The hands-on feedback provided in VM to the muscular abdominal wall helps release physical tension in and around the abdomen, positively affecting stress-induced digestive symptoms and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Conclusion
As explained above, visceral manipulation can be a valuable addition to pelvic floor physical therapy, especially for individuals with gut health concerns. If you are struggling with chronic constipation, bloating, or other pelvic floor dysfunction, visceral manipulation may be a beneficial part of your treatment plan. Questions? Contact us to discuss whether this technique may be a suitable part of your pelvic floor therapy plan.
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