Osteopathy can help ease menstrual difficulties, menopausal symptoms and ongoing problems after pregnancy and childbirth. This is an area of work our osteopath Leyla is particularly passionate about.
One particular treatment approach that can work very well is visceral mobilisation. This is a manual therapy where light, specifically placed pressure encourages normal movement and function of the internal organs and their connective tissue.
In visceral mobilisation we use the ligament and fascial connections to the organs in the abdomen to ease restrictions in the musculoskeletal system. Who knew that the liver has direct connections to the right shoulder and can maintain persistent pain and movement restrictions? Any abdominal surgery – even keyhole – can leave scarring which over time continues to tighten and affect the body. Symptoms can be far from the surgery site because of the connective tissue through our body. Back pain, discomfort with belts or even knee pain could be traced back there!
Emotions can also affect organ function. Most of us are familiar with our stomach being affected by nerves. Sudden shock can affect the kidney or deep grief the pancreas. The restrictions in the organ can remain and create symptoms even though the emotion has passed. Visceral mobilisation techniques can have some of the most dramatic releases of emotional and physical issues and feels incredibly nurturing.