Gentle manual therapy for internal organ mobility
Many people experience tension, discomfort, or movement changes linked to internal restrictions. Visceral osteopathy focuses on how internal organs move and how these movements influence the rest of the body. Gentle manual techniques are applied to the abdomen, chest, and pelvis to restore natural motion and reduce strain between organs and surrounding tissues.
Revibe offers visceral osteopathy in Mississauga and Markham as part of a comprehensive osteopathic manual therapy approach.
What Is Visceral Osteopathy?
Visceral osteopathy—also called visceral manipulation or internal organ therapy—examines how restricted organ movement can affect posture, breathing, and muscle tension. Every organ moves slightly with each breath and body motion. When this mobility decreases, nearby muscles and joints often compensate, creating discomfort or altered movement.
Restrictions may result from surgery, inflammation, injury, or long-term postural habits. Reduced liver movement can tighten the right diaphragm and shoulder. Limited intestinal motion can strain the lower back. Pelvic organ tension may affect hip and sacral movement.
Practitioners assess organ motion by gentle palpation and use light manual osteopathic techniques to restore tissue flexibility. Treatment focuses on the fascia and ligaments that anchor organs to the skeleton and to each other.
How It Works
Visceral manipulation uses soft, controlled pressure that follows the body's natural movements rather than forcing change. The practitioner evaluates how each area responds and adjusts the technique accordingly. Assessment includes tissue tension, organ mobility, fascial glide, and circulation patterns.
Treatment Benefits
Improving organ mobility through abdominal treatment and fascial release can reduce fascial tension, improve circulation, regulate the nervous system, balance posture, and reduce pain. These effects develop gradually as tissues adapt and movement patterns normalize.
Common Applications
Visceral osteopathy and manual therapy techniques may be used as part of a treatment plan for several conditions.
Digestive System Function
Abdominal treatment addresses bloating, constipation, and sluggish digestion when mechanical restrictions contribute to symptoms. Post-surgical adhesions following appendectomy, C-section, hernia repair, or other abdominal surgeries often respond to fascial release techniques. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cases with mechanical components may benefit from visceral manipulation alongside medical management.
Breathing and Respiratory Patterns
Diaphragm restriction limits rib cage expansion and creates compensatory tension through the thoracic spine and neck. Treatment addressing diaphragm attachments, liver mobility (beneath the right diaphragm), and stomach position (beneath the left diaphragm) can improve breathing mechanics. Shallow breathing patterns often connect to thoracic and abdominal restrictions.
Pelvic Region and Reproductive Health
Pelvic floor treatment addresses dysfunction, urinary frequency, and bladder irritability that sometimes connect to organ positioning or fascial restrictions around pelvic organs. Menstrual discomfort, particularly when accompanied by back or hip pain, may relate to uterine position or ligament tension. Post-pregnancy recovery involves restoring abdominal and pelvic organ positioning.
Musculoskeletal Issues
Chronic back pain without a clear structural cause sometimes originates from visceral restrictions. Kidney attachments to the psoas muscles and lumbar fascia can create chronic tension. Postural imbalances that resist correction through exercise may also involve internal restrictions. Addressing these restrictions allows structural osteopathic work to produce lasting change.
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Assessment and Treatment Methods
Practitioners use various techniques to evaluate and treat visceral restrictions:
Practitioners evaluate tissue tension to identify where fascia feels tight or less elastic, check organ mobility to see if organs move freely during breathing and repositioning, test fascial glide to see how connective layers slide against one another, and feel for vascular pulse changes that may indicate restriction.
Gentle, sustained pressure is applied at tight areas until tissues release. This approach directly engages restrictions to encourage tissue lengthening and improved mobility.
Moving tissues in the direction of least resistance to reduce tension. This gentle approach allows the body to release restrictions naturally without force.
Subtle movement to restore natural organ rhythm. This technique works with the body's inherent motility to encourage normalized function.
Integrating visceral, structural, and cranial methods when restrictions affect multiple systems. This comprehensive approach addresses the interconnected nature of body systems.
What to Expect
During Assessment
Your practitioner reviews your medical and surgical history, posture, and breathing patterns. Treatment occurs through light clothing using comfortable positions. Pressure remains within your tolerance at all times.
After Treatment
You may notice temporary changes such as increased digestive activity, reduced muscle tension, fatigue or mild soreness that resolves within 24 hours, easier breathing or improved posture. Hydration and light movement such as walking help the body integrate treatment effects.
Session Details
Initial visit: 60 minutes including health history and assessment. Follow-ups: 45–60 minutes depending on response. Frequency: Acute conditions may improve within 1–3 sessions; chronic patterns often need 4–8. Clothing: Wear loose, two-piece outfits for comfort and access to treatment areas. Aftercare: Drink water and avoid intense exercise for 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visceral Osteopathy
Techniques use light pressure and should not cause pain. Areas with restriction may feel tender but remain comfortable. Practitioners adjust their approach if discomfort occurs.
Massage focuses on muscles using kneading and stroking. Structural osteopathy targets joints and alignment through mobilization. Visceral osteopathy works with organ mobility and fascial connections using lighter touch that addresses a different structural layer.
Yes. Techniques adapt to each trimester and avoid deep abdominal pressure. They help relieve ligament tension, support breathing, and improve comfort throughout pregnancy.
Most extended health plans in Ontario include osteopathy coverage, which applies to visceral, structural, and cranial techniques. Check your specific plan for coverage limits and requirements.
Response timing varies by individual. Acute restrictions often improve within 1–3 sessions. Chronic conditions may require 4–8 sessions, with gradual improvements in breathing, digestion, or posture developing over time.
Structural osteopathy focuses on the musculoskeletal system—joints, bones, muscles, and ligaments—using joint manipulation and soft tissue techniques. Visceral osteopathy addresses internal organs and their fascial attachments, improving organ mobility and reducing restriction. Most sessions integrate both for a comprehensive approach.
Visceral techniques may help with digestive concerns (bloating, IBS, post-surgical adhesions), respiratory patterns (diaphragm restriction, shallow breathing), pelvic issues (pelvic floor dysfunction, menstrual discomfort, post-pregnancy recovery), and musculoskeletal problems (chronic back pain, postural imbalances, limited rotation).
Research on visceral manipulation examines tissue mobility, pain reduction, and functional outcomes. Studies show benefits for chronic pelvic pain and constipation, though evidence remains more limited than for other manual therapies. Practitioners combine available research with osteopathic principles and clinical experience to guide treatment.
Meet Our Osteopath Practitioners
Anesto Charles Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Erica Runnalls Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Emily Wilson Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
What Our Patients Are Saying
Anesto is an excellent osteopath who's been a huge help in my ankle injury recovery. He's knowledgeable, attentive, and takes the time to explain everything clearly. Each session has made a real difference in my mobility and pain levels. I truly appreciate his care and expertise. I highly recommend him!
I have been seeing Anesto for 6-7 months now for Osteopathy. From not knowing what Osteopathy was and not understanding what the benefits could be I decided to try it out. Anesto is such an amazing Osteopath, from my first meeting/assessment with him i knew i was going to be in good hands, he has such a chill and caring personality; which made me feel comfortable. Anesto explained to me what Osteo was, what the benefits it could bring me as well, any questions i would have, he always clarified/explained the cause and effect so well. For context I play 4-5 nights if volleyball, i play golf in the summer and sprinkle in a bit of tennis aswell. My knees, hips and ankles take a lot of impact and with Anesto's guidance, I am so much more pain free; in addition to how my performance in the different sports have gone up. If you are curious on what Osteopathy is or you would want someone to approach therapy in a holistic way, i would 100% recommend you try it specifically with Anesto.
This place was my last stop to my hip and neck pain. I worked with the Osteopath, Anesto and I absolutely love his approach. He helped eliminate that nagging pain that I had for some time. One of the things that stood out the most for me is that he listened to me as I explained what I was going through. Anesto is very knowledgeable with his work and saved me from overthinking about my pain as he explained thoroughly to me what was really happening in my body. Revibe is a very welcoming and clean space and everybody is so kind!
It was recommended that I try osteopathy for my back pain, so I decided to see Emily Wilson at Revibe. During my initial visit, she was very positive, and always makes me feel comfortable during my follow up treatments. Emily explains the treatments to me and helps me understand how it benefits my back pain. I always look forward to my appointments with her! I would highly recommend booking with Emily and trying osteopathy!
Book Your Appointment in Mississauga, Markham or Burlington
Revibe operates clinics in Mississauga (serving Streetsville, Erin Mills, Meadowvale, and surrounding areas) and Markham (serving Unionville, Thornhill, Buttonville, and surrounding areas). Both locations provide comprehensive assessment and treatment services for your health and wellness needs.
Mississauga Clinic
Location: 2290 Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON L4Y 1Z4
Phone: 905-783-8423
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
New patient visits include comprehensive assessment and first treatment session (75 minutes). Bring previous imaging reports, medical diagnoses, and lists of current symptoms. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to treatment areas.
Serving: Streetsville, Erin Mills, Meadowvale, Churchill Meadows, Lorne Park, Port Credit, Clarkson, and surrounding Mississauga neighborhoods. Convenient access from Highway 403, QEW, and Erin Mills Parkway.
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Markham Clinic
Location: 220 Torbay Rd, Markham ON, L3R 1G6
Phone: 905-783-8423
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
Insurance coverage varies by provider. Extended health plans often include manual therapy and wellness services. Direct billing available for plans that Revibe accepts. Receipts provided for insurance submission or tax purposes.
Serving: Unionville, Thornhill, Markham Village, Buttonville, Milliken, Cornell, Angus Glen, and surrounding Markham and Richmond Hill areas. Easy access from Highway 7, Highway 404, and Major Mackenzie Drive.
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Burlington Clinic
Coming Soon
We're excited to announce that our Burlington location will be opening soon. Stay tuned for updates on our new clinic serving the Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding areas.
