About Integrated Visceral Techniques

Quite simply, Visceral Techniques are gentle, intelligent hands-on work with the abdomen and the visceral structures – this includes both the major organs of digestion but, more importantly, the rich connective tissue, lymphatic, vascular and nerve relationships within the abdomen.

Visceral Techniques utilize the principles of myofascial release and apply them to the visceral-fascial environment. This requires attuning our listening hands to the rhythms and amplitudes of the visceral environment.

There is evidence that as tensions are released in the visceral-fascial environment there is an increase in: overall organ mobility (which correlates to improved function), blood and lymphatic flow and nerve conduction.

Working with the viscera has profound effects on the vagal system. This is supportive of patients dealing with many different persistent health conditions.

Curriculum

Our Integrative Visceral Techniques curriculum is founded upon these principles:

Throughout the curriculum, we will cultivate the hands’ skills required to do visceral fascial techniques. The visceral-fascial environment is unique and varied. Throughout the series of courses we will emphasize developing a responsive touch that is rooted in osteopathic listening specific to what we are treating and the individual. Due to the unique nature of each body we emphasize adapting our touch to meet each specific body.
The quality of our touch distinctly improves as we calibrate it with the specific anatomy we are treating. Our courses are known for teaching anatomy in a manner that is fun and inspiring. Anatomy is integrated throughout the course sequence so that the courses are focused on the techniques.
We have sequenced the techniques themselves according to treatment flow and with the intention of developing familiarity with the abdomen. As students progress through the series specific techniques will allow us to also delve into discussion of digestive and nervous system issues. As such the first two courses follow the digestive process, with a focus on the diaphragm as a significant region for understanding abdominal/digestive dysfunction.

Course Descriptions

Currently we offer three courses: Integrated Visceral Techniques I, II & III. Read more about the curriculums below.

INTEGRATED VISCERAL TECHNIQUES I

2-Day Flipped Course & the Foundation of Our Approach

June 1 & 2, 2024

IVT I introduces practitioners to the visceral fascial concept. The abdomen is rich in visceral fascial relationships and embedded within them are the lymphatic, nerve and vascular structures that determine digestive function.

Day 1

Students will learn a visceral map that begins with the diaphragm and peritoneum. We will begin by spending time understanding how to treat the diaphragm. This is a crucial structure for digestive harmony and is often neglected in treatment. The diaphragm also has significance as a mediator of emotional experience. As such, it will play a role in stress related digestive issues. Treating the diaphragm improves all of your bodywork.

In the “osteopathic” tradition it is often said that the digestive system hangs from the hyoid bone. In this course we will work with restrictions within the thoracic cavity as this truly is the beginning of the digestive system. Students will learn novel approaches for treating fascial restriction within the thoracic cavity that can affect the lungs, pericardium, esophagus and supradiaphragmatic vagal tone.

At the core of the course, and our visceral curriculum overall, we are learning to work with the main sphincters of the digestive system. These provide a means for assessing and establishing an “open system” for treatment. In addition, they are a major linkage with the polyvagal system.

Day 2

The second day will focus on treating the organs in the upper abdomen; the liver and the stomach. These two organs are in a dynamic relationship with the diaphragm. Students will learn multiple techniques to treat restrictions found within each organ and between the two organs. East Asian medicine often describes the pathological dynamic of wood overacting on earth; the liver impeding the function of the stomach. We will see this anatomically and put it on our hands. As the diaphragm is the path through which the vagus nerve enters the abdomen our work here can be helpful in helping a person shift their vagal system tone.

INTEGRATED VISCERAL TECHNIQUES II

October 26-27, 2024

This course focuses on digestive dynamics related to “SIBO” type conditions and other inflammation of the middle portion of our digestive system. The course will present both an anatomical/conceptual model of the small intestine, spleen, pancreas and gallbladder that is based both on East Asian medical understanding and western embryology. We will then put these ideas in our hands and learn specific techniques for each part of these interrelated fascial structures.

Treatment for these conditions often focuses on getting rid of the bugs but leaves out “why” the bugs ended up there in the first place. The techniques presented here can be part of an integrated treatment plan for folks dealing with these stubborn conditions.

Practitioners will learn meaningful and direct treatment options for the visceral-fascial structures most commonly involved in small intestine related digestive difficulties. We will also revisit our work with the sphincters, deepening our skills and adding techniques to our sphincter work.

INTEGRATED VISCERAL TECHNIQUES III

January 25-26, 2025

Visceral III continues our visceral-fascial approach through the abdomen and digestive system. We will be working with the organ structures in the lower part of the abdomen and pelvis.

Students will learn gentle techniques for the large intestine and the kidneys. Both of these organs have important relationships with the quadratus lumborum and psoas. These techniques can both help organ physiology and be utilized in stubborn back pain cases, where organ relationships are often overlooked. These techniques compliment our myofascial series.

The second part of the course will address gentle treatment techniques for the uterus, ovaries and bladder. Visceral fascial restrictions around these three organs can contribute to myriad issues folks experience. Including gentle hands on treatment can be a useful component of a treatment plan involving any of these structures.

We will work with the pancreas, which compliments our work in IVT II with the gallbladder and beginning of the small intestine. The pancreas nests into the inner curve of the “C” shape of the duodenum.

We will end the course by working with the uterus from the visceral-fascial perspective.

Integrated Visceral Techniques