What is Visceral Manipulation?
Viscera = Organs
Visceral manipulation involves using my hands to listen to your body and the movement patterns of your organs. If an organ is not moving ideally, I help it wake up so it can remember who it is, why it is here, and what it is meant to do.
Kind of like you.
Adhesions
Viscera might not move ideally because of adhesions.
Adhesions are disorganized scar tissue.
Adhesions occur for lots of reasons that generally boil down to inflammation.
The inflammation can be cause by trauma like falls, car accidents, surgery, or by infections & inflammation from painful periods or constipation.
What is Vascular Manipulation?
Vascular manipulation involves listening with my hand to your arteries and veins.
Arteries
I know an artery needs help when I feel a strong pulse. That means it is pushing against something. It could be pushing against something inside of it (like plaque) and would need imaging and support from functional medicine or a referral.
It could also be pushing on something outside of it like adhesions, an organ not moving properly, or lymphatic or venous congestion.
Veins
Because of the nature of the patient population I serve, I primarily work with the venous system rather than the arterial system.
A vein carries the blood back to the lungs for oxygenation. If the blood transit through the vein slows, varicosities and congestion will result.
I use my hands to understand what is limiting the vein’s ability to carry blood back to the heart.
Very often I will add herbs and nutritional support to any vascular therapy to prevent clots and support healing of weak veins and valves.
Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage
Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage is a type of visceral manipulation that involves a deep belly rub. It was taught to my teacher Rosita Arvigo by a Mayan Healer Don Elijo. I find this technique particularly helpful for a uterus that is out of place. I also use it extensively in pregnancy to help prepare the uterus for birth. You cannot receive Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy if you:
- Have an IUD
- Are on Your Period
- Have not yet healed from a recent surgery
- Are early in your pregnancy
- Have cancer
Barral Visceral Manipulation
The Barral Technique of visceral manipulation is an osteopathic technique. It is very specific and I use it to treat specific structures like the ovaries or fallopian tubes or the kidneys. It is a very specific technique that holds the organ and provides intention so the organ can move itself home.
How to Prepare
Before you begin your session make sure you have gone to the bathroom and have eaten and drunk enough, but not too much. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. If your clothes are too tight, you will need to remove tight pants and lay under a sheet so Dr. Caroline Peterson can work on your belly without the clothing pressing against your body. I prefer to work on the skin on the belly, but if you are uncomfortable with this, wearing form fitting leggings and a similar type of shirt will be easiest to work through.
What to Expect
I use my hand to listen to your body first standing, then laying down. When working with your heart and lungs and other structures in the chest I work on top of your clothes. When working with your belly I work on the skin. Remember the bladder and the uterus are very low down on your abdomen right by the front of the pelvic bone. So for the belly work I will work from the rib cage all the way down to the pubic bone. If you are uncomfortable with work on your skin, we can work on top of thin clothing. You are always in charge and are encouraged to give feedback about your experience.
