visceral manipulation
Visceral Manipulation is used to evaluate and address the mobility of our individual organs. Any restriction in that mobility can have a major impact on our posture and freedom of movement. The majority of our organs are inside the peritoneal abdominal sac which is intended to be a wet, air-less environment where our organs can easily slide over one another. Thanks to this slippery lubrication and a minimal number of ligaments holding our organs in position, the human body has the liberating potential to bend and twist in many directions.
If air enters the peritoneal sac, which happens in every abdominal surgery or laparoscopy (a tiny incision usually made to explore a small area, often in the umbilicus), the slippery wet surfaces can dry out and stick to each other. This limits the freedom of motion in our torso that we were designed to have.
Another consideration is scar tissue on your organs that can develop from forceful impacts, such as your body wrapping around the shoulder strap as it prevents you from hitting the steering wheel or a violent tackle on the football field. The true origin of a client’s slouching posture could be from scar tissue resulting from being checked into the boards in hockey or from their appendectomy scar from when they were seven.
Debra includes this skill in her practice because it successfully supports the goals of Rolfing. She began her study of visceral manipulation in 1991 with the Upledger Institute, followed by Didier Prat D.O., Don Van Vleet and others. Her study of the body is ongoing.
“I just finished the ten series with Debra. I got the results I wanted (a recovered right shoulder, less low back pain, and anti-inflammation around specific joints) and I am happy to be feeling more energy and strength in my daily activities. Debra has been a Rolfer in Boulder for over 25 years and she knows her stuff. She has a ton of experience and does a great job!”