30/10/2025
Could your health issue have a visceral component?
Whatever the condition that brought you to your osteopath, there may also be an internal-organ (visceral) element. Sometimes it’s necessary to treat areas of your body that don’t obviously seem related to the symptoms you are feeling.
“Structure governs function.”
This is a guiding principle of osteopathy: the shape and mobility of a joint or an organ determine how it should function — and if it cannot move properly, it won’t function at its best.
Here are a few of the many conditions that may benefit from visceral osteopathic treatment:
Renal ptosis
Bladder ptosis
Liver drainage issues
Urinary incontinence
Pneumonia
Pleuritis
Headache and migraine
Difficulty swallowing
Digestive problems (bloating, reflux)
Hiatal hernia
Menstrual pain
Pericarditis
Constipation
Bronchitis
Cholecystitis
Surgical scars and adhesions
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Acid–reflux / GERD
Chronic bloating
Diarrhoea
Pregnancy-related urinary or pelvic issues
Endometriosis or PCOS-related discomfort
Asthma or recurrent respiratory issues
Chronic back, neck or pelvic pain not explained by joint issues alone
Chronic fatigue or unexplained tension
Post-surgical recovery of abdominal or pelvic organs
Hormonal or endocrine imbalances influenced by visceral tension
Stress-related symptoms which manifest in the “internal” body
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Fertility support issues
Digestive motility issues (slow transit, sluggish bowel)
Scar tissue from previous surgery affecting internal organ movement
If one of your internal organs is unable to move properly, this may generate stiffness or pain in any part of your body. If you feel a “creak” or pain during a normal movement, that may be a sign of restriction. The longer this persists, the bigger the burden on your body
