What is Visceral Manipulation? Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral, the French osteopath who developed visceral manipulation, once observed that “the body never lies.” After decades of working with patients whose chronic pain seemed unrelated to their organs, he discovered something profound: restrictions in internal organ mobility can create symptoms throughout the entire body.
This insight challenges how we typically think about pain and healing. Rather than viewing symptoms as isolated problems, visceral manipulation recognizes the body as an interconnected system where restrictions in one area create compensations elsewhere.
At MindShine Wellness, we believe there are answers for all types of pain and problems. Working with a skilled visceral therapist is one of those powerful alternatives that can help you climb that mountain and truly SHINE.
Visceral manipulation recognizes that your organs are meant to move and every time you breathe, walk, or laugh, your liver, stomach, intestines, and other organs slide and glide within your body cavity.
But as life happens, surgery creates scar tissue, infections cause inflammation, emotional stress gets stored in tissues and when organs can’t move freely, your body compensates. And surprisingly, these compensation patterns can show up as chronic pain, digestive issues, or that feeling of being “stuck.”
A skilled visceral therapist addresses problems at their source by gently releasing these deep restrictions through visceral manipulation techniques.
Sheila Dreher, our founder and certified manual therapist with over 30 years in the medical field, integrates visceral manipulation with our craniosacral therapy and somato emotional release services for comprehensive healing.
As an experienced visceral therapist, Sheila uses touch lighter than the weight of a coin to sense restrictions in tissues surrounding your organs. There’s no deep pressure, just gentle listening with trained hands. Many clients find visceral manipulation deeply relaxing, with some experiencing emotional releases as their body lets go of long-held patterns.
In our Quad Cities practice, we’ve seen visceral manipulation help people with a wide range of concerns that align perfectly with the conditions we treat through hypnotherapy and coaching:
According to research from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the gut contains more nerve cells than the spinal cord, truly making it our “second brain.” When organs in this area become restricted, working with a qualified visceral therapist becomes essential for addressing both physical and emotional well-being.
Research published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies demonstrates significant improvements in pain and mobility for people with chronic lower back pain who received visceral manipulation, with benefits extending to improved sleep and overall well-being.
Visceral manipulation integrates powerfully with our other alternative treatments. When organs move freely, your body’s natural healing processes improve, enhancing the effectiveness of hypnotherapy sessions and supporting positive changes made through life coaching.
Steve Dreher, our certified life coach with 35 years of leadership experience, notes how physical restrictions can mirror mental and emotional patterns that keep people stuck. Working with both a visceral therapist and life coach to address physical restrictions and mental patterns creates space for profound transformation.
Unlike approaches that force change, visceral manipulation honors your body’s innate wisdom, working with natural healing processes to restore balance. This aligns with our belief that you already have what you need to heal and sometimes you just need the right support.
Many clients describe feeling more grounded after sessions. Others notice improvements in breathing, digestion, or sleep. Some experience emotional releases as their body feels safe enough to let go of old patterns.
If you’re dealing with chronic pain, digestive issues, or feeling physically stuck, visceral manipulation might be the missing piece in your healing journey. Combined with our hypnotherapy and life coaching services, it offers comprehensive transformation.
Our clients consistently report feeling better after treatment and a lot of them recommend us to others because they experience real, lasting change through our integrated approach.
Located in Bettendorf, Iowa, we serve the Quad Cities area with both in-person and online treatments. Stop staying stuck with pain and problems that have answers.
Ready to explore how visceral manipulation can help you SHINE? Call us at 309-269-7878 or book your free discovery call to learn more about our integrative approach to healing.
Because you have this one life and this one body. It’s time to prioritize yourself and embrace the change that’s waiting for you.
Learn more about visceral manipulation through the Barral Institute, the leading authority on this transformative therapy.
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You have this one life & this one body. Protect it, nurture it, love it! Prioritize yourself. Let’s do this – together!
