Julia Farquhar Osteopathy

02/26/2026

Research Alert: Visceral manual therapy as an intervention for musculoskeletal disorders: A scoping review

A newly published scoping review in the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2025) evaluated the effectiveness of Visceral Manual Therapy (VMT) for chronic low back, shoulder, and cervical pain.

Read here:https://www.iahe.com/storage/docs/articles/6Yi5vfpl5p3DCscnxu1NttFEyxUe6UtjduXDyr8B.pdf or Barralinstitute.com Resources Tab

This research is particularly relevant to Barral Visceral Manipulation because it acknowledges Jean-Pierre Barral’s work as foundational to modern Visceral Manipulation and distinguishes the organ-specific, precision-based approach from more generalized abdominal techniques.

​This growing body of research continues to highlight the powerful relationship between visceral mobility and musculoskeletal function.

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02/24/2026

Wondering what to expect from an osteopathic visit?

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OMPs) place you at the centre. A typical first visit includes learning your health history and doing a thorough physical assessment to create an individual plan to address your specific concerns.

Osteopathy focuses on supporting your ability to move and function as well as possible by using gentle hands-on techniques for lasting effects.

Learn more about osteopathic professional standards on the OAO website: https://osteopathyontario.org/site/about/StandardsofPractice

02/24/2026

Client QotD: "Thank you for your kindness."

That got me thinking of how easy it is to be kind, yet how little kindness we see around us. How can you make the world a better, kinder place today?

02/19/2026

Visceral manipulation is just such an important tool in the osteopathic toolbox and one I use most days.

✨ Research on Visceral Manipulation & Women’s Health

A 2025 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that five weekly sessions of Visceral Manipulation significantly​ help improve quality of life in women with endometriosis (p = 0.0001) and pelvic organ prolapse (p = 0.0093)

The Effect of Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation on Quality of Life and Postural Stability in Women with Endometriosis and Women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Study:https://www.iahe.com/storage/docs/articles/BHpNR3Rl7K5zyigO7e9Qm8QHK79fG1mJhABsSvwt.pdf

This non-invasive manual therapy approach continues to show promise in supporting women with complex pelvic conditions.

Learn More About Barral Manual Therapies for Women’s and Men’s Health:
https://info.barralinstitute.com/conditions/womens-and-mens-health-issues/

02/19/2026

Ongoing research plays a key role in strengthening osteopathic practice and supporting public understanding of osteopathic care.

This month, we’re highlighting “Effectiveness of osteopathic interventions in chronic non-specific low back pain,” a recent systematic review and meta-analysis which examined osteopathic interventions for adults with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Across multiple randomized trials, osteopathic approaches were associated with reduced pain and improved functional outcomes compared to control care.

Myofascial release showed the strongest level of evidence for pain reduction, while the authors note the need for further high-quality research.

This study was conducted by Dal Farra et al. Read the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229920318835

02/13/2026

This sunny day's a cure for the February blahs! (If that's not doing it for you, maybe it's time to book a tuneup for your body?)

02/09/2026

This is one of my absolute favourite of Jill Miller's techniques. I use and recommend it frequently. Give it a try. You'll be amazed at how good it feels!

02/09/2026

Client QotD: "I think I'll just call you Detective Julia!"

That's fine by me: I've always thought of Osteopathic Manual Pracitioners as a mashup of body nerd+detective+mechanic.

02/07/2026

I've got a stiff neck this morning. Time to scurry off to find my inflatable ball and give this a try!

02/05/2026

A new year is a fresh opportunity to build healthy, sustainable habits.

Osteopathic care supports your ability to adapt and function through a gentle, patient-centred approach.

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OMPs) work to support mobility, balance, and overall well-being.

Learn more about osteopathy on the OAO website: https://osteopathyontario.org/site/about/osteopathy

02/05/2026

Jean-Pierre Barral is my osteopathic hero and I use techniques he's developed every day in my clinic. I'm so grateful to have been able to learn from him in person.

🌿 A Lifelong Journey of Learning in Manual Therapy 🌿
As manual therapists, we are on a continuous path of discovery—expanding our knowledge, refining our skills, and deepening our collaborative approach to care. Every technique we master and every connection we foster brings us closer to a more holistic and integrative model of health.

✨ Read about our Founder & History – Jean-Pierre Barral: https://www.barralinstitute.com/about/jean-pierre-barral
✨ Explore Barral Manual Therapies: https://www.barralinstitute.com/

We are dedicated to shifting the healthcare paradigm from disease care to whole-person health promotion! 💙

📸 Picture credit: Pierre Francois Couderc

02/04/2026

Here's an inspirational Client Quote of the Day for you: "I may have an old, arthritic body, but I don't live in misery. And I won't."