WHAT IS VISCERAL MANIPULATION?

Visceral manipulation is a therapeutic approach that has gained popularity in the West over the last few decades, largely due to the work of French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral. However, its roots can be traced back to an ancient Taoist practice called Chi Nei Tsang, which translates to “the transformation of old energy trapped in the viscera.”

The core idea behind visceral manipulation is the belief that our organs hold not only physical functions but also emotional energy. This concept aligns with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which associates specific emotions with major organ systems. For instance, in TCM, anger is connected to the liver and gallbladder, joy to the heart and small intestine, overthinking or procrastination to the spleen and stomach, grief to the lungs and large intestine, and fear to the kidneys and bladder.

Chi Nei Tsang suggests that this stored emotional energy may include unresolved emotional issues and past traumas. Visceral manipulation aims to release and process this energy, promoting overall well-being. It’s an intriguing intersection of Eastern wisdom and Western healthcare, highlighting the profound link between our physical bodies and our emotions.