It may be difficult to picture initially, but the internal organs (also called viscera) can have a great influence on the musculoskelatal system. Much like joint surfaces must slide properly in order for bones to move, organ surfaces must also slide in just the right sequence and without resistance. Additionally, just like joint restrictions can create misalignment, internal organ adhesions can pull the body out of alignment causing dysfunctions that may seem unrelated.
A second method of influence from the internal organs is through complex neurologic reflex arcs that run between muscle and organ. This is why it is common to see a combination of visceral and skeletal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and low back pain.
Visceral manipulation is a manual therapy consisting of specifically placed forces that encourage normal mobility, tone, and inherent tissue motion of the viscera and their connective tissues. These manipulations have the potential to affect physiological function of individual organs, the systems they function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.
