General visceral techniques
Notes
Viscera
General visceral techniques
INTRODUCTION TO VISCERAL DYSFUNCTION
Visceral dysfunction is defined as “impaired or altered mobility or motility of the visceral system and related fascial, neurological, vascular, skeletal, and lymphatic elements” (Seffinger).
Mobility refers to the movement of an organ in response to forces generated outside of the organ, e.g., diaphragmatic and cardiac motions which affect the ascent and descent of the viscera, along with blood flow.
Motility refers to the inherent movements of an organ, e.g., peristalsis.
The steps to properly diagnose visceral dysfunction are as follows:
Mobility refers to the movement of an organ in response to forces generated outside of the organ, e.g., diaphragmatic and cardiac motions which affect the ascent and descent of the viscera, along with blood flow.
Motility refers to the inherent movements of an organ, e.g., peristalsis.
The steps to properly diagnose visceral dysfunction are as follows:
- Inspection
- Auscultation
- Percussion
- Palpation
- Osteopathic screening exam
TREATMENT OF VISCERAL DYSFUNCTION
1. Treat the appropriate ganglia corresponding to the dysfunctional organ via myofascial release
3. Treat the corresponding Chapman point of the dysfunctional organ
4. Treat the dysfunctional organ itself via indirect or direct myofascial release
- Celiac ganglion
- Innervates the foregut (distal esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum, liver, gallbladder, spleen, portions of the pancreas)
- Superior mesenteric ganglion
- Innervates the midgut (distal duodenum, portions of the pancreas, ileum, jejunum, ascending colon, proximal ⅔ of the transverse colon)
- Inferior mesenteric ganglion
- Innervates the hindgut (distal ⅓ of the transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum)
3. Treat the corresponding Chapman point of the dysfunctional organ
4. Treat the dysfunctional organ itself via indirect or direct myofascial release
GENERAL VISCERAL TECHNIQUES | ||||||||
TECHNIQUE | TREATMENT | INDICATIONS | ||||||
Diaphragm release |
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Mesenteric lift: sigmoid colon |
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Mesenteric lift: descending colon |
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Mesenteric lift: ascending colon |
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Mesenteric lift: cecum |
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Mesenteric lift: small intestine |
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Summary
Visceral manipulation involves treating visceral pain or other dysfunction using osteopathic medicine techniques. It focuses on the organs of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Some of these techniques include diaphragm release; and mesenteric lift that can focus on the small intestine and the ascending, descending, and the sigmoid parts of the colon.