Visceral therapy after stroke. Benefits for the patient.
NORMAN Neurological Rehabilitation Centre
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Visceral therapy – working with manual techniques on the internal organs: the liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs and so on.
The aims of visceral therapy are:
- to normalise mobility,
- to relieve tension and congestion in the abdominal cavity, chest and pelvis, in order to restore the position of the organs and relax their walls and cells,
- to restore the space needed for the proper functioning of the vascular, fascial, nervous and lymphatic structures connected with the whole system, and thereby to improve microcirculation within these spaces.
When properly applied, visceral therapy normalises many metabolic processes, as well as detoxification, absorption and the elimination of functional disorders. The normal physiological functions of the individual organs return, at the same time activating the body’s natural self-healing processes.
The abdomen should be soft, painless, warm and free of any skin changes. The same applies to the soft tissues in other areas, where pressure or mobility – for example during massage or fascial therapy – says a great deal about the patient’s condition.
Skin changes, tension, tenderness and a “bloated” abdomen are signs pointing to disorders and pathologies of the visceral system. Over time, complaints appear in other systems too: the digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, musculoskeletal, neurological, urinary and psychosomatic systems, which may overlap with post-stroke cognitive and emotional disturbances. Before the body can be supplied with the substances it needs to function properly, it requires a well-working digestive system responsible for the distribution, storage, absorption and removal of toxins, vitamins, minerals and oxygen.
It could be said that all the organs and systems depend on a properly functioning digestive system, which is one of our lines of defence against external factors and which performs storage, absorption, detoxification and nourishment functions.
To illustrate this, we can take the example of the liver. Its basic functions are:
- secreting the bile needed to digest fats, which also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties,
- the synthesis and breakdown of cholesterol and phospholipids,
- the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins,
- the detoxification and deactivation of hormones and of toxic and foreign substances, such as medicines, alcohol, cholesterol, bacteria, viruses and toxins,
- the storage and absorption of B vitamins, vitamins A, D, E and K, iron and glycogen,
- regulating blood sugar and glycogen levels,
- ensuring proper blood clotting.
As you can see, if the liver does not work properly, many complaints and diseases – metabolic and circulatory – as well as reduced immunity, can appear.
Read also about how to manage pain after a stroke.
An ultrasound or CT scan will not always reveal organ pathologies. Often only palpation or the skilful interpretation of existing symptoms can point to disorders. In the case of the liver, for example, these may be snoring, haemorrhoids and varicose veins, but not only these.
The close proximity of other internal organs, such as the diaphragm, intestines and adrenal glands, also greatly increases their mutual influence and the chain of dependencies between all the organs.
Visceral therapy – indications for visceral therapy
The indications for visceral therapy are very broad. They include orthopaedic, neurological, degenerative, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, urological, gynaecological, pregnancy-related, psychosomatic and post-stroke conditions and pathologies. For patients after a stroke, it complements comprehensive neurological rehabilitation programmes.
Visceral therapy helps patients who struggle with complaints such as:
- headaches,
- back pain,
- abdominal pain,
- pelvic pain,
- joint pain,
- soft tissue pain,
- neuralgia,
As well as post-traumatic, post-operative, acute and chronic conditions such as:
- migraine,
- dizziness,
- disc disease,
- sciatica,
- cramps,
- reflux,
- bloating,
- constipation,
- arthroscopy,
- strokes,
- swelling,
- scars,
- painful or irregular periods,
- insomnia,
- depression,
- snoring,
- frequent colds,
Author: Jacek Berestecki
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