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Visceral Manipulation in Winnipeg

WHAT IS VISCERAL MANIPULATION?

Your organs are not static—they move. With every breath, every heartbeat, every digestive process, your internal organs are in constant motion. Visceral manipulation uses gentle, precise manual techniques to restore normal movement and function to your internal organs by releasing restrictions in the surrounding connective tissues.¹

This specialized form of manual therapy has been practiced for over 100 years and addresses the root cause of many conditions that conventional approaches struggle to resolve.

How Your Organs Affect Your Whole Body

Everything in your body is connected. When an organ isn't moving properly or has restrictions in the tissues around it, the effects ripple throughout your entire system:

  • Digestive organs can affect back pain and posture

  • Liver and gallbladder restrictions can cause shoulder and rib pain

  • Reproductive organs can impact hip and pelvic function

  • Lung restrictions can affect neck and shoulder tension

  • Surgical scars can create adhesions that pull on surrounding organs

 

Most approaches treat these symptoms where they appear—addressing the back pain, the shoulder tension, the digestive issues—without recognizing that the source is visceral dysfunction.
 

Visceral Manipulation is effective for:

 

Digestive Issues

  • Bloating, constipation, IBS

  • Reflux and digestive discomfort

  • Post-surgical digestive problems

 

Chronic Pain

  • Lower back pain with no clear cause

  • Rib and chest wall pain

  • Pelvic and hip pain

  • Chronic headaches

 

Women's Health

  • Period pain and menstrual issues

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction

  • Post-childbirth recovery

  • Endometriosis-related pain

 

Post-Surgical Recovery

  • Adhesions from any abdominal surgery

  • C-section recovery

  • Scar tissue restrictions

  • Organ mobility after surgery

 

Respiratory Issues

  • Breathing restrictions

  • Chronic cough

  • Asthma support

 

General Health

  • Fatigue and low energy

  • Stress-related symptoms

  • Poor circulation

Alerry Lavitt

Benefits of visceral manipulation include:

  • Reduced pain and discomfort

  • Improved digestion and elimination

  • Decreased headaches and migraines

  • Better breathing capacity

  • Enhanced post-surgical recovery

  • Improved overall well-being and energy

OM Therapy

The OM Therapy Approach to Visceral Manipulation

As an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, I'm a specialist in visceral treatments. My training at the Canadian College of Osteopathy included comprehensive education in visceral manipulation—learning the precise anatomy of every organ system, how they interconnect, and the specialized techniques needed to restore healthy function.

Soft Tissue Micro-Stretching

Visceral manipulation uses incredibly gentle techniques—soft tissue micro-stretching and specialized organ techniques that work with your body's natural rhythms to release restrictions and improve blood flow.¹⁻²

Whole-Body Integration

Osteopathic manual practitioners connect everything in your body together. Visceral treatment isn't just about your organs—it also addresses your breathing patterns, posture, and stress responses. This integrated approach delivers results that last.²

Evidence-Based Care

Research demonstrates that osteopathic visceral manipulation effectively addresses conditions like chronic low back pain with functional constipation² —conditions where the connection between organs and musculoskeletal pain is often missed by conventional approaches.

What Visceral Manipulation Feels Like

Visceral manipulation is gentle and non-invasive. You'll lie comfortably, fully clothed while I use light, precise touch to assess organ mobility and release restrictions in the surrounding tissues. Most people find the treatment deeply relaxing.

There's no discomfort, no aggressive manipulation—just skilled hands-on work that allows your organs to function the way they're meant to.

What to Expect from a Visceral Manipulation Session

Comprehensive Assessment

I'll discuss your complete health history with you, including any surgeries, injuries, digestive issues, or chronic symptoms. I'll perform hands-on assessment to evaluate organ mobility and identify restrictions.

Targeted Treatment

Based on what your body needs, I'll use gentle visceral techniques to release restrictions, improve organ mobility, and restore healthy function. Treatment also addresses related factors like breathing mechanics, posture, and compensation patterns.

Holistic Integration

Because everything is connected, visceral manipulation often includes treatment of the musculoskeletal system, fascial restrictions, and nervous system regulation—ensuring comprehensive care that addresses your whole body.

What Makes Visceral Manipulation Different?

Most healthcare approaches treat organs only when they're diseased or malfunctioning at a medical level. Visceral manipulation recognizes that subtle restrictions and reduced mobility can cause symptoms long before they show up on medical tests.

By addressing these restrictions early and supporting your organs' natural movement patterns, visceral manipulation prevents problems from becoming chronic and helps your body maintain optimal function.

Alerry Lavitt

References:

  1. Sharath HV, Nadipena PT, Qureshi MI, Phansopkar P. (2024). A Review on Osteopathic Manipulation in Patients With Headache. Cureus, 16(8):e66242.

  2. Fernandes, W. V. B., Rodríguez Blanco, C., Politti, F., de Cordoba Lanza, F., Lucareli, P. R. G., & Ferrari Corrêa, J. C. (2018). The effect of a six-week osteopathic visceral manipulation in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and functional constipation: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 19, 151.

Experience Visceral Manipulation in Winnipeg

If you're seeking qualified, experienced care for visceral manipulation, OM Therapy provides the specialized expertise you need in a warm, supportive environment.

text/call 204.399.3123 with any questions

Serving Winnipeg and surrounding area

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Osteopathic manual therapists do not make medical diagnoses, prescribe medicine, or perform surgery. Osteopathic manual practitioners are not Osteopathic physicians (DO), who are medical doctors trained in American osteopathic medical colleges. Osteopathic care is not a substitution for medical evaluation or treatment—it works alongside your existing healthcare to support your body's natural healing capacity.

OM Therapy is a safe space for all bodies, including members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I offer trauma-informed care in a judgment-free environment.

© 2026 by OM Therapy. All rights reserved.

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