A Gentle, Hands-On Approach to Support Comfortable Movement
Sometimes discomfort around the abdomen, pelvis, or trunk can affect how you move and feel during everyday activities. A physiotherapy assessment can help explore the factors that may be contributing to those concerns and determine which treatment options are appropriate for you. At Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness, visceral manipulation in South East Calgary, AB and North East Calgary, AB may be incorporated into an individualized physiotherapy plan when appropriate. This gentle, hands-on approach is considered alongside your symptoms, movement, health history, and personal goals.
What Is Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral manipulation is a form of hands-on treatment involving gentle manual contact with areas of the abdomen and surrounding tissues. The term “visceral” refers to the internal organs.
In physiotherapy, this approach may be used to address comfort and mobility around the trunk and abdominal region, and constipation. It should not be viewed as a way to reposition organs or as a treatment for diseases affecting the internal organs.
Research into visceral manipulation is still developing. For this reason, your physiotherapist can discuss whether it has an appropriate role in your care and how it fits alongside more active treatment strategies.
When Might Visceral Manipulation Be Considered?
People may seek physiotherapy because discomfort or sensitivity around the abdomen, pelvis, constipation, or trunk is making certain movements or activities more difficult.
These symptoms can have many possible causes. New, persistent, or unexplained abdominal or pelvic symptoms should be medically evaluated when appropriate.
Depending on the individual, visceral manipulation may be considered as part of care when concerns include:
- Abdominal or pelvic discomfort related to movement
- Sensitivity around healed surgical scars
- Restricted or uncomfortable trunk movement
- Constipation
- Musculoskeletal discomfort involving the abdominal or pelvic region
- Difficulty comfortably returning to certain activities after recovery from abdominal or pelvic surgery
Hands-On Care as Part of a Bigger Plan
When visceral manipulation is considered appropriate, its role should be based on your assessment and response rather than used as a stand-alone solution. Your physiotherapist can combine hands-on care with active strategies that address movement and the physical activities you are working toward.
Your care may include:
- Gentle hands-on techniques: Your physiotherapist may apply comfortable manual techniques to selected areas based on your assessment.
- Mobility exercises: Movement may be used to gradually improve comfort with bending, reaching, rotating, and other activities.
- Progressive strengthening: Exercise can help build the capacity needed for work, recreation, exercise, and everyday tasks.
- Breathing strategies: Your physiotherapist may explore how breathing coordinates with movement of the trunk and pelvic floor.
- Scar mobility strategies: When appropriate, treatment may address sensitivity or mobility around a fully healed surgical scar.
- Movement training: You can practise activities that are difficult or uncomfortable and gradually increase their demands.
- Education: Understanding your symptoms and treatment options can help you make informed decisions about your care.
The techniques included in your plan will depend on your individual assessment and response to treatment.
Deciding Whether Hands-On Treatment Fits Your Care
Before visceral manipulation is considered, your physiotherapist will want to understand your symptoms, health history, previous surgeries or injuries, and the activities that are currently difficult or uncomfortable.
The physical assessment may explore movement, mobility, strength, and sensitivity around the area of concern. This information helps determine whether a hands-on technique is appropriate and what other treatment strategies may be useful.
Your physiotherapist will explain any proposed technique before using it and ask for your consent. Your response to treatment can then help guide whether the technique remains part of your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visceral Manipulation
Choose Care Based on Your Needs and Response
Visceral manipulation is one possible hands-on technique within physiotherapy, rather than a treatment for internal disease or a method for repositioning organs. Its use should reflect your individual presentation and fit within a plan that supports movement and function.
THE ABILITY WAY
Care That Starts With You
We believe your care should never be one-size-fits-all. Every plan is shaped around your story, your goals, and the way you want to move through life.
- One-on-one personalized care
- A plan built around your goals
- Hands-on treatment and movement support
- Education to support lasting progress
