Articles

GYNOVISCERAL MANIPULATION
What is gynovisceral manipulation and why is it important to me?
Simply put, the viscera is a description of all of the internal organs. Gynoviscera are the organs of the female reproductive and waste elimination systems including the ovaries, uterus, bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys and rectum. All but the kidneys are positioned low in the pelvis, below the belly button. Theses structures are typically subject to stress related to pregnancy, delivery, posture, hormones and menstruation, lumbosacral dysfunction, intestinal problems and lower limb restrictions. Often times, one or more surgeries have been performed in the area causing restrictions related to the scar, loss of space occupying organ, circulatory and nerve damage or changes, or general loss of integrity of the pelvic bowl and associated musculature.

Common symptoms that occur with gynovisceral problems are incontinence, dyspareunia (pain with intercourse), loss of structural stability resulting in prolapsing organs, chronic constipation or diarrhea, low back, hip and leg pain, and infertility. All body parts must be mobile in order to function normally. Within a certain range, everything moves, including your organs. They must move in their space without causing undo pressure to the organs or tissues around them yet they must remain within their space. The structures that allow them to move but stay in place at the same time are ligaments, muscles and boney barriers. An organ that rests in a pathologic position can still function normally as long as it remains mobile. For example, a woman with a “tilted uterus” can still get pregnant and carry the baby to term. When a structure can no longer be mobilized, fibrous tissue replaces the elastic tissue, then arteries, nerves or lymphatic systems are trapped – illness appears. The goal of gynovisceral manipulation is to make sure the organs have the ability to move by restoring elasticity or sensitivity. It involves evaluating if the organ has full motion within its space, determining what might be causing the restriction, then treating the restriction itself to allow normal motion again.

A woman who experiences any of the problems listed above would be a candidate for gynovisceral evaluation and possibly treatment. Because of the close anatomical relationship between the pelvic organs and the peritoneum, the tissue that surrounds and houses all the abdominal organs, other problems and symptoms can arise from gynovisceral restrictions. These include frozen shoulder, headaches, neck pain, numbness between the shoulder blades and breathing restrictions among many other symptoms. It is possible to avoid surgery, improve sexual intercourse, avert urinary problems and even promote fertility with successful visceral treatment.

Katrina Barton, PT