Look to the organs when there is musculoskeletal pain
Up to 90% of musculoskeletal problems are in some way related to internal organ motility and function, according to the founder of visceral manipulation, Jean-Pierre Barral, DO. Our internal organs and musculoskeletal system, as well as other structures of the body, including our blood vessels, lymphatic system, nervous system, and digestive system, are all surrounded by connective tissue. Connective tissues give support to these systems and, when healthy and strong, allow them to glide and move in normal motion patterns.Factors such as surgery or physical trauma cause connective tissue to become less pliable and restrict normal organ movement.
The connective tissues around these structures do not exist in isolation but connect toeach other all over the body. So, when there is an area of restriction in the body, it can lead to profound effects in another area of the body, far or near the initial restriction. Because of these connections, reduced motion and function of internal organs may show upas neck or shoulder pain.
Musculoskeletal pain after abdominal surgery
Abdominal surgeries can be necessary and lifesaving, though sometimes the effects of surgery can lead to other dysfunction in the body. A major complication of abdominal surgery is adhesions within the abdominal cavity. These restrictions not only can impair function of abdominal organs but lead to pain elsewhere in the body. These areas are commonly the neck and shoulders due to nervous system connections between the spine and abdomen. Studies have shown that visceral manipulation effectively breaks up post-surgical abdominal adhesions and improves the healing process. Multiple case studies show that patients with neck and shoulder pain and a history of abdominal surgery had great reductions in their pain after visceral manipulations of their abdominal organs. One patient even cancelled their shoulder surgery after visceral manipulation of their liver resulted in no shoulder pain.
Visceral manipulation when other approaches yield no results
Addressing organ motion and function is a unique approach to addressing pain. Visceral manipulation has helped many patients with pain reduction after traditional therapies have had no effect on pain levels. Double-blind studies and case studies show that there are significant improvements in range of motion and pain levels in the neck and shoulders after patients receive visceral manipulation treatment.If you have neck or shoulder pain after a history physical trauma including motor vehicle accidents or abdominal surgery, you may consider discussing with your provider if visceral manipulation is right for you.
Meet Dr. Rachel Paran
Dr. Rachel Paran is a Naturopathic Physician at Heart Spring Health in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. She received her training in visceral manipulation through the Barral Institute, named after the developer of visceral manipulation technique, Jean-Pierre Barral, DO. She is a graduate of Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona where she developed a passion for using hands-on therapeutic techniques to address functional imbalances. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Paran through the patient portal or by calling Heart Spring Health at (503) 956-9396. To learn more about Dr. Paran’s health philosophy, you can read her biography by clicking here.
