Understanding Visceral Manipulation: Why Organ Movement Matters

May 28

Have you ever wondered what your internal organs are doing each day? What they're up to when you're asleep, at work, working out, grabbing dinner with a close friend, or just lounging...

Your organs move. And I don't just mean a little bit when you breathe or shift positions. I'm talking about constant, rhythmic, measurable movement that's happening right now as you read this.

Here's what I mean:

Your diaphragm moves approximately 22,000 times every day. Every single breath creates pressure changes that pull and push every organ in your abdomen and chest.
Your kidneys travel about 3 centimeters with each breath—which adds up to roughly 600 meters of movement daily. That's six football fields worth of travel, just from breathing.
Your liver slides over your stomach and duodenum every time you bend forward. Your intestines have their own rhythmic patterns. Even when you're completely still, your organs have an intrinsic motion called motility—about 7-8 cycles per minute—that's independent of your breathing or heartbeat.

When I learned this, I felt this wave of... I don't know, empathy? Connection? These organs that we don't think about are always working to keep us functioning. And they need to move to do their jobs properly.

So what happens when they can't?

When Organs Get Stuck: Visceral Restrictions

So what causes organs to lose their natural motion?

Common causes include:

Surgical adhesions and scar tissue
Infections and inflammation
Physical trauma or injury
Chronic postural stress
Emotional holding patterns (yes, your organs can hold tension and memory!)

When an organ becomes restricted—meaning it's no longer freely mobile in its cavity—your body then compensates for that restriction. If the compensation becomes inadequate over time, you end up with structural problems and symptoms.

These symptoms can show up as:

Chronic digestive issues that don't respond to dietary changes
Breathing restrictions or chest tightness
Chronic pain that seems to move around or doesn't have a clear musculoskeletal cause
Post-surgical issues that linger longer than expected
Unexplained tension patterns

What Conditions Can VM Address?

Your organs don't exist in isolation—they're physically suspended by ligaments and fascia, share nerve pathways with your spine, and move in coordination with your diaphragm and breathing. Because of these connections to your spine, ribs, diaphragm, pelvis, and each other, visceral restrictions can affect seemingly unrelated areas of your body.

VM can influence:

Mobility and motility of organs and surrounding structures
Circulation of blood and lymph through the organs
Sphincter function and muscle tension
Hormonal and chemical production
Immune function (both local and systemic)
Emotional holding patterns

Common conditions that may benefit include:

Chronic digestive complaints (bloating, constipation, reflux)
Post-surgical adhesions and scar tissue
Chronic pelvic discomfort
Breathing restrictions and chest tightness
Unexplained musculoskeletal pain with a visceral origin
Post-viral recovery and immune support
Chronic stress patterns held in the body

The important thing to understand: position matters less than function. It's not really about whether an organ is in the "perfect" anatomical position—it's about whether it has recovered its natural motion and ability to function.

What to Expect from a VM Session

A typical session lasts 45-60 minutes and includes:

Thorough health history
Gentle assessment through palpation and "listening" (using very light touch to feel the subtle rhythmic motion of your organs)
Treatment using precise manual techniques

During treatment, you might experience:

Warmth in your abdomen or chest
Digestive sounds as your organs begin to move more freely
A sense of calm or sleepiness

The work continues integrating for 24-48 hours after your session.

How often do you need treatment?

Sessions are typically spaced about three weeks apart. Most people are seen three times and then return for reassessment six months to a year later. The goal is to stimulate your body's own corrective mechanisms—not to create dependence on treatment.

Questions about Visceral Manipulation?

I'm always happy to talk about this work and how it might support your body's natural function.

In the meantime, here are two simple ways to support your organs right now: Practice diaphragmatic breathing—those 22,000 daily movements of your diaphragm create the motion your organs need to function well. Taking a few minutes each day for slow, deep belly breaths helps maintain that natural rhythm and supports healthy organ mobility. If it's available to you, go for a walk 1-2 times this week—indoors, outdoors, simply taking a few rounds of stairs at home or choosing the stairs vs the elevator. Even if it doesn't feel like much, those small movements support your internal movement patterns and benefit your mind more than you might realize.

Want to learn more about VM or explore whether it might be helpful for you? Let's connect.

References & Additional Resources

Foundational Text: Barral, J.P., & Mercier, P. (2006). Visceral Manipulation (Revised Edition). Eastland Press.

Key Concepts:

The four categories of visceral motion
Visceral articulations and organ mobility
Restrictions, compensations, and structural adaptations
Gentle manual techniques and the body's corrective mechanisms

For More Information:

Barral Institute: www.barralinstitute.com
International Alliance of Healthcare Educators

Questions about Visceral Manipulation? Want to know if it might be relevant for your situation? I'm here to talk about it—this stuff genuinely fascinates me and I love sharing what I've learned.

Leah Amundson