This visceral manipulation course is a ‘hands-on’ class. The most important feature of this class will be to give the student practitioner the tools to help him or her to treat common somatic symptoms that are visceral in origin. Additionally, we will explore the nature of each organ and learn to feel their various organ motility patterns and motions, for the purpose of evaluation, listening to the psyche, diagnosis and treatment.

We will study an overview of the liver, stomach, small intestine, colon, kidneys, and urinary and gall bladder. Some of the common symptoms that we will learn tools for will include:
• Referred pain patterns
• Restrictions of the respiratory diaphragm
• Liver and gall bladder disorders
• Hiatal hernia
• Gastritis
• Stomach and duodenal ulcers
• Ileocecal valve problems
• Colitis
• Chronic constipation.

We will also study an overview of the urogenital system including kidneys, bladder, prostate, uterus, and ovaries. Of particular interest will be the relationship of the urogenital viscera and their influence on the spine, pelvic floor, and lower extremities, where visceral distress often leads to spinal discomfort and locomotor difficulties.

Some of the common urogenital symptoms that we will learn tools for will include:
• Ptosed (dropped) kidneys
• Bladder dysfunction, incontinence, hypersensitivity, prolapse, and adhesions
• Dysmenorrhea
• Pelvic and abdominal pain
• Uterine retroversion and prolapse
• Prevention of obstetrical problems
• Mechanical and functional disorders of the ovaries and uterine tubes
• Visceral influence on circulatory problems, low back and leg pain

Class time will be devoted to visceral treatment after trauma. Throughout the course we will be discussing and demonstrating the importance of quality of touch. Visceral manipulation is a fascinating adjunct to bodywork and to treating the ‘whole person.’ It can easily be integrated into craniosacral work, massage, deep tissue manipulation, and osteopathic treatment. It will be a fun course and will relate to many treatable issues that clients will present.
Pre-Requisite: Successful completion of C1 & C2.