visceral manipulation San Francisco CA

Visceral Manipulation

Visceral Manipulation is a form of manual therapy, meaning licensed physical therapists use their hands to perform this treatment. It was developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, a French osteopath who was named one of TIME Magazine’s “Top Six Innovators for Alternative Medicine,” due to the strides he made in the field of physical therapy. This method of treatment is commonly referred to as the “missing link” for relieving musculoskeletal pain, postural distortions, and biomechanical dysfunction. For more information regarding how you could benefit from our adoption of Barral’s Visceral Manipulation services, contact Rising Sun Physical Therapy today!

What exactly is Visceral Manipulation?

The word “viscera” refers to the internal organs of the body, such as the kidneys, liver, and intestines. So, the idea behind Visceral Manipulation is to gently target different parts of the body in order to elicit proper internal function, and as a result, external function may be achieved as well. Your physical therapist will focus on specific areas of the body, in order to determine which areas within the viscera are functioning with altered or decreased motion, in addition to noting any restrictive patterns that your body presents. Once this has been determined, your physical therapist will apply the necessary techniques.

Visceral Manipulation aids your body in its ability to release any restrictions and unhealthy compensations that may be leading to your discomfort and/or physical dysfunction. A unique aspect of Visceral Manipulation is that it does not only target the painful area(s) of the body, but it assesses the entire body as a whole, in order to get to the root of the problem. Essentially, it allows the body to re-establish its natural ability to adapt and restore itself to health.

Will Visceral Manipulation benefit me?

Visceral Manipulation is able to treat a vast array of different physical conditions, including:

Acute Disorders

  • Whiplash
  • Seatbelt Injuries
  • Chest or Abdominal Sports Injuries
  • Concussion
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries

Digestive Disorders

  • Bloating and Constipation
  • Nausea and Acid Reflux
  • GERD
  • Swallowing Dysfunctions

Pain Related to

  • Post-operative Scar Tissue
  • Post-infection Scar Tissue
  • Autonomic Mechanisms
  • And More

Women’s and Men’s Health Issues

  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids and Cysts
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Bladder Incontinence
  • Prostate Dysfunction
  • Referred Testicular Pain
  • Effects of Menopause

Musculoskeletal Disorders

  • Somatic-Visceral Interactions
  • Chronic Spinal Dysfunction
  • Headaches and Migraines
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Peripheral Joint Pain
  • Sciatica
  • Neck Pain

Will my insurance cover Visceral Manipulation?

  1. If Physical Therapy is not part of the treatment diagnosis, then Visceral Manipulation is not billable to your insurance. 
  2. Suppose you want Visceral Manipulation treatments as a standalone treatment of choice. Unfortunately, the treatments will not be billable to our contracted insurances. 

At your initial appointment, one of our dedicated San Francisco physical therapists will conduct a physical evaluation to determine if Visceral Manipulation will be a beneficial part of your treatment plan. If you are interested in learning more, call us to discuss your financial investment in your health.