Enhance Movement with Visceral Fascia Mobilization
We offer visceral fascial mobilization techniques as a supportive inclusion within a comprehensive treatment plan for pelvic floor physical therapy.
Visceral fascial mobilization treatments can help with improving fascial movement patterns and improving restrictions post-surgery, post-injury, from persistent inflammation, and postpartum allowing for more free movement of the internal organs that slide and glide like joints inside your abdominal walls, connecting you more fully to the midline of your body, and decreasing pain patterns of abdominal, back, hip, and pelvic pain symptoms.
Your muscular abdominal canister includes your respiratory diaphragm, abdominal wall muscles, hips, and pelvic floor. Inside the canister is your visceral organs. Your visceral organs connect to bones and muscles of your canister through fascia. In order to move, your organs inside the canister must move together, and they must move with your bones and muscle.
If you experience pain, the pain be referred by the organ. It may be caused by the nervous system’s response to the threat of decreased mobility of the organs. It may be caused by the local tissue’s restricted movement, reduced blood flow, and perceived tightness.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is more than just internal work.
Visceral fascial mobilization is a safe, gentle, and novel way to reduce pain and improve blood flow and mobility to the abdomen and pelvis. This skilled touch modality by a pelvic therapist, communicates to your brain from your internal body awareness.
‘‘All organs, muscles, and body structures
must be viewed in the context of the surrounding connective tissues and distant blood and
lymphatic fluid flow; specific pathology can-
not be fully understood or treated without
taking those tissues into account.’’ (Findley
2011, p. 5)
Visceral fascial mobilization, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, can help with endometriosis, post-op abdominal surgeries, postpartum, and many pelvic pain symptoms.
What is visceral fascial mobilization treatment?
Visceral fascial mobilization treatment consists of gentle yet specific techniques that move with the fascia of the various muscles, organs, and ligaments of your gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urinary systems.
Does visceral fascial mobilization work? Change occurs because sensory receptors in your fascia and connective tissue are stimulated by the skilled specific touch by a trained pelvic therapist, and this process talks to your brain and nervous system. When your body feels safe (with time and and an appropriate pace with an attuned pelvic therapist) the fascia will slowly gently begin to change its holding patterns.
This work invites patience, curiosity, and collaboration.
You can read more about the philosophy and science behind this work here.
Visceral Fascial Mobilization Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
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It shouldn’t! The principles of this work are based in safety and tissue boundaries. This work should feel therapeutic, not threatening. We will work with you to find your individual boundaries of what tissue tolerance means to you.
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Yes, this work is safe and the pelvic health therapists trained in it know how to determine when it is appropriate to use. If you are post-op, it is recommended you wait until 6-8 weeks for proper healing time.
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It can vary depending on the individual. For some, differences may be felt right away. This is often common for folks who have a history of movement, embodiment practices, psychological/emotional/spiritual resourcing, and/or bodywork which can support the integration process. This work does not heal in isolation on the table. How you maintain and carry the work in your day to day movements will also be supportive.
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Visceral fascial mobilization helps get movement back into areas where fascia has become stiff and tense. This can promote better movement for your whole body, improved blood flow, and less pain and inflammation.
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It can be both when indicated. We are trained to work with more superficial layers of fascia at structures such as the diaphragm, and can also work with deeper structures such as the fascia of the kidneys or root of the mesentery. Typically, we will start with more superficial techniques (which can be just as effective) to see how your body responds before going directly to deep techniques.
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The research for pelvic physical therapy applications of visceral fascia mobilization currently reveals that benefits come from restoring movement to joints and tissues. Movement involves all systems, including your perception, your response to the environment, and your mobility. Physical therapists address the movement system.
We do not use the word “manipulate” because we are not controlling you. Instead, we train you to move by using skilled, consensual touch.
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No. Just as internal work is never required, we always work with you to determine what the best plan of care will be.
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Often to train new movement patterns and to release tension, your fascia also must move well. When visceral fascial mobilization is paired with specific therapeutic exercises, you may experience more immediate and more long lasting changes in pain and improved movements to support your day to day life.
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Almost anyone can. Pelvic therapists are competent to screen for who would or would not be appropriate. There are still many techniques that can be applied safely even if you are pregnant or recovering from surgery.