Did you know that your liver travels more than the distance of 12 football fields each day? It moves down 3 cm each time you take a breath in and back up 3 cm as you exhale. We inhale 20,000 per day!
The liver is really important. It's a large solid organ and weighs 2-4 pounds. The liver "detoxifies various metabolites, synthesizes proteins and produces biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth." (Wikipedia) Because the liver is so important, our nervous system loves to protect it. Imagine that you took a really big fall down the stairs, played a contact spot with lots of hits, or were in a car crash. Your nervous system takes care of its beloved liver by holding tight to it. All the fascia around your liver might contract and tighten, trying to keep it safe. If that tightness persists for longer than your liver needs protection, your liver might not glide as well as is should each time you take a breath or bend forward. Those restrictions can contribute to dysfunction in parts of the body that may seem unrelated including your neck, shoulder, sacroiliac joint, or leg.
How do you improve fascial restriction around the liver? See a therapist trained in visceral mobilization / manipulation (VM)! (Side note - I don't like the word manipulation, so I use mobilization. The words are interchangeable otherwise in the context of visceral work.) Dr. Julianne at Circle Physical Therapy started her visceral training in 2019 and has continued to deepen her knowledge with classes through both the Herman & Wallace Institute and the Barral Institute. This training has taught her how to find and treat visceral restriction through the body for the liver and other organs.
Why do visceral mobilization (VM)? In the words of J.P. Barral, "The purpose of Visceral Manipulation is to recreate, harmonize, and increase proprioceptive communication in the body to enhance its internal mechanism for better health." Visceral mobilization helps the body right itself. By helping organs move a little bit better, the body is able to use that new information to restore movement throughout the body. Our bodies are remarkable good at what they do; sometimes they just need a nudge to help get back on the right track.
What does VM feel like? One of the goals of VM is to trigger your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This is the relax, digest, cuddle side of the nervous system. VM should make you feel relaxed. You might feel some stretching or a few tugs and overall, it should feel comfortable and relaxing. Some people feel a sense of warmth where the therapist is working.
Have you been struggling with pain that should have resolved but hasn't? A VM trained therapist can find visceral restrictions that might contribute to pain. Give it a try! Dr. Julianne at Circle Physical Therapy would be happy to help you experience VM's power to improve your body's ability to take care of itself.