How Visceral Manipulation supports liver function and well-being
When I took my first Visceral Manipulation course with the Barral Institute, the first technique we learned was a liver lift. The instructor explained how we could make a large impact for many of our patients by treating their liver, and in my experience this has been so true! In this blog post, I’m going to explain why dysfunction in the liver can have such a major impact on our body, symptoms that may present with liver dysfunction, and ways to support your liver.
What is the role of your liver?
The first thing that is important to understand about the liver is that it is very large, and it has many important roles. The liver weighs around 3-4 lbs, has as much as 3.2 pints (1.5L) of blood pass through it per minute, and performs more than 500 functions. Some of its roles include assisting with digestion, balancing hormones, producing heat, and managing and detoxifying blood.
Your liver is located on the right side of your body, mostly under your lower ribs, and is triangular in shape. Because of its size, it does cross midline and a thin area of the liver is on the left side of your body. The liver is also thick front to back, filling up more than half of the depth of your body.
Your liver has ligamentous attachments to your diaphragm, front abdominal wall, right kidney, large intestine, duodenum, esophagus, and stomach. Restrictions in your liver can affect mobility of these organs, or vice versa, because of these attachments. If movement of an organ is restricted, it is unable to slide and glide normally and can create aches, pains, and movement restrictions throughout your body.
What might cause liver issues?
Possible causes of liver issues include:
1) Infection
2) Trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents
3) Strong emotions or depression
4) Increased hormonal levels
5) Medications
6) Alcohol intake
7) Poor diet
8) Chest infections or a lot of coughing
9) Issues in your right kidney
10) Digestive problems
What are some symptoms associated with liver dysfunction?
Symptoms associated with liver dysfunction include:
1) Right-sided pain, injury, etc
2) Right-sided headaches and scalp sensitivity
3) Right-sided frozen shoulder, shoulder pain, or restriction
4) Mid-neck restriction or pain
5) Sciatica
6) Restrictions of the mid-spinal region
7) Chronic right sinusitis
8) Acute sense of smell
9) Light sensitivity
10) Feeling hot and unable to sleep at night, insomnia
11) Varicosities (varicose veins and hemorrhoids)
12) Oily hair and dandruff
13) Hypersensitive skin
14) Fatigue
15) Dull complexion
16) A decrease in fighting spirit
Ways to support your liver
Steam baths and saunas can help eliminate toxins and support your liver. It’s also important to discuss any medications you are taking with your physician to determine if they may be affecting your liver function. Eating a healthy diet, staying well hydrated, and chewing your food thoroughly can also support your liver. It’s also important to manage your stress and find joy in your life.
And of course I’m going to recommend exercise, movement, and visceral manipulation to support your liver. Because of its attachments to your diaphragm, taking deep breaths can help to massage your organs and improve mobility of your viscera (deep breathing also helps to reduce stress!). I also love the coregeous ball for gentle abdominal massage and work around the ribcage.
Here is an example of how you can use the coregeous ball for visceral support.
If you are interested in learning more, you can check out my Organ Mobilization Masterclass here.
If you are local to the Memphis area and want to work with me, you can schedule your appointment or free 15 minute consult here.
If you aren’t in the Memphis area and want to seek out a local visceral manipulation therapist, you can search for a provider here.
References:
A Pathway to Health: How Visceral Manipulation can Help You by Alison Harvey
Blog post written by Dr. Alexis Hutchison, PT, DPT, OCS, PCES