IMMT VISCERAL
Visceral 1
PREREQUISITE: IMMT Foundations
Treatment of the body’s organs and viscera is perhaps the most underappreciated and underutilized form of manual therapy in the world of injury rehabilitation. An organ is a differentiated structure that performs a specific function and contains parenchyma (ie. liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas) while viscera is an empty structured internal organ that can fill and empty of blood and digesting food (ie. stomach, intestines, heart). Visceral Manipulation is the act of assessing and treating the fascial mobility of an individual’s internal structures and determining if they are a factor in their pain or functional limitations. Stress, trauma, jarring forces, surgeries, allergies, substance abuse and infections can all affect the internal structures and are often missed in the clinical setting. Training in visceral manipulation can help a practitioner understand and feel how the relevant anatomy may be involved in the puzzle of dysfunction a person is experiencing. This course will cover:
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The four quadrants – a visual representation for learning where various organs are located
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Container versus contents – a simple assessment to determine if a mobility impairment is in the superficial tissues or deep structures
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CNS convergence – appreciate how neurons of organs and skin/muscles converge at the same site at the spinal cord which means the brain cannot identify the source of the pain signal
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Common pain referral patterns for the organs
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Palpation and mobility tests for the liver, digestive system (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines), cardiorespiratory system (thoracic diaphragm, lungs, pleura)
Visceral 2
PREREQUISITE: Visceral 1
This course builds on Visceral 1 and will teach you to fine tune your palpation skills to the next level. Participants will learn to feel the inherent mobility of the organs as they follow the rhythm of respiration which enhances your ability to prioritize which impairments are most primary and in turn the most important to address. The following structures will be covered:
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Heart and great vessels
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Pancreas
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Kidneys
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Bladder
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Uterus, broad ligament and ovaries / prostate
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Many case studies will be presented throughout the course to help you gain an appreciation for common organ/visceral impairments that often mask themselves as muscle, fascial or joint dysfunctions. For instance, a chronic lung infection and persistent cough can create tension in the pleura of the lung and cause chest pain while a liver that is compacted following a collision in sports can cause fascial restriction and drastically reduce shoulder range of motion and function.