VM employs specifically placed manual forces that work to encourage the normal mobility, tone and motion of the viscera and their connective tissues. Trained practitioners use the rhythmic motions of the visceral system to evaluate how abnormal forces interplay, overlap and affect the normal body forces at work. These gentle manipulations can potentially improve the functioning of individual organs, the systems the organs function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.

Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 (VM1)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: In VM1 you will study the models and theories of functional biomechanics as viewed from Barral's innovative approach.

Course Highlights:

·         Learn manual skills to locate, evaluate and normalize primary areas of dysfunction within the abdominal cavity.

·         Explore the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes and ligaments.

·         Examine the relationship of organs and structural or neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.

·         Assess the quality of functional activity and somatic structures as they relate to an overall pattern.

Prerequisite: Experience with sensitive, light-touch palpation

Required Advance Reading: Visceral Manipulation by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank Netter, MD, or A Regional Atlas of the Human Body by Carmine Clemente.

 Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 2 (VM2)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: In Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 2 you will expand on the functional anatomy, hand placements and techniques you learned in Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 to give you a deeper understanding of the abdominal cavity and its relationship to the cranial and thoracic cavities.

Course Highlights:

·         Explore the deeper structures within the abdominal cavity, focusing on the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, greater omentum, peritoneum, and their connective or suspensory tissues.

·         Learn about the concept of restriction planes, mobility and motility.

·         Begin to incorporate multiple long-lever techniques into your VM work.

·         Participate in supervised, hands-on sessions that guide you through specific techniques for locating and evaluating each organ, along with the effects and contraindications.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Abdomen 1) or VMIA (Visceral Manipulation IA).

Required Advance Reading: Visceral Manipulation II by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO

 Visceral Manipulation: The Pelvis (VM3)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: In Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 2 you will expand on the functional anatomy, hand placements and techniques you learned in Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 to give you a deeper understanding of the abdominal cavity and its relationship to the cranial and thoracic cavities.

Course Highlights:

·         Learn identify, receive and conduct Jean-Pierre Barral’s method of evaluation and treatment for the organ systems of the pelvic cavity, including the integration of the pelvic organs with the complex ligament systems of that body region.

·         Discover techniques for differentiating between somatic and visceral causes for pelvic and low back problems.

·         Discover how to integrate the pelvic organs with the complex ligament systems of the body region.

·         Explore additional principles of direct and indirect approaches and their appropriate applications.

·         Integrate the pelvis into the body with principles of Lines of Tension.

Prerequisite: VM2 (Abdomen 2) or VMIB (Visceral Manipulation IB).

Required Advance Reading: Urogenital Manipulation, by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Visceral Manipulation: The Thorax (VM4)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: After taking Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 and 2, you've become acquainted with the feel of the different abdominal organs and local restrictions. In the Thorax workshop, you'll take an expanded look at the functional biomechanics of the thoracic cavity. You'll also explore the relationship between the hard frame and soft frame with its countless articulations for respiration, circulatory requirements and upper body movement patterns.

Course Highlights:

·         Explore visceral fascia of the throat and thoracic cavity.

·         Review the anatomy, biomechanics and function of the thoracic organs.

·         Study the biomechanics of the cervical, thoracic, rib cage and shoulder girdle complex.

·         Learn techniques to release the soft tissue components of the thoracic inlet and hyoid apparatus.

·         Practice listening techniques within the thoracic activity.

·         Understand practical integration of the thoracic cavity organs.

·         Learn integration of the thoracic organs with the complex ligament systems of that body region.

·         Discover techniques for differentiating between somatic and visceral causes for thoracic and spinal problems.

·         Special Focus on Pleura, Lungs, Pericardium, Heart, Mediastinum, Thyroid, Trachea, Esophagus, Sternum, Rib Cage and Thoracic Plexuses.

Prerequisite: VM2 (Abdomen 2) or VMIB (Visceral Manipulation IB).

Required Advance Reading: The Thorax, by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Manual Thermal Evaluation and Introduction to VisceroEmotional (VM5)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: VM5 studies the use of Manual Thermal Evaluation to evaluate and improve organ functions.

Course Highlights:

·         Learn the use of Manual Thermal Evaluation to find restrictions and organ dysfunction in the body.

·         Explore the synchronicity between the body and brain, and how that affects the health of a person.

·         Discover how the brain uses the internal organs to discharge and express excess energy (often of emotional origin) and how that affects structural integrity.

·         Practice working with energy loss, locating structural restrictions contributing to pain, and managing a therapeutic session.

Prerequisite: VM3 (The Pelvis) and VM4 (The Thorax)

Required Advance Reading: Manual Thermal Evaluation by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

VisceroEmotional Relationships (VM6)

Course Length: 3 Days

18 hours or 24 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: Explore in depth the connections between our organs and our emotions. 

Course highlights:

·         Explore the body and the organism, physical energy, psychoemotional energy and release techniques all with respect to Jean Pierre Barral’s unique visceral approach.

·         Discover all three levels of Manual Thermal Evaluation, active and passive tissuloemotional liberation, and psychoemotional liberation.

·         Understand the Chicken-or-Egg Syndrome in relation to organ dysfunction and emotions. 

·         Learn how to break the visceroemotional cycle through Visceral Manipulation. 

·         As a workshop that would typically be offered at the post-graduate level, this course engages course participants in a dynamic exchange of information tailored to advanced skills.

Prerequisite: VM5 (Manual Thermal Evaluation and Introduction to VisceroEmotional).

Required Advance Reading: Understanding the Messages of Your Body by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

 Visceral Manipulation: Applications for Pediatrics (VAP)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: Visceral Manipulation: Applications for Pediatrics applies Visceral Manipulation techniques to working with infants, toddlers and children

Course Highlights:

·         Learn how early therapy on newborns and infants can possibly reduce the percentage of problems later in life.

·         Explore embryology and the developmental landmarks (normal and abnormal) that occur month by month during and after gestation.

·         Discover how to evaluate a baby or child.

·         Learn general treatment ideas, such as how to work with babies, toddlers, and children, as well as working with those who are tactilely sensitive.

·         Understand the signs of trauma, as well as evaluation and treatment techniques.

·         Integrate specific treatment techniques for common visceral restrictions found in children, as well as Barral’s approach to cranial techniques.

·         Learn about Visceral Manipulation precautions and contraindications when working with children.

·         Explore special considerations, e.g. typical surgeries, prematurity, children with neuromotor problems and craniosynostosis.

·         Practice working with infants and children in a supervised environment.

Prerequisites: VM1 (Abdomen 1), VM2 (Abdomen 2), and LT (Listening Techniques). NM1 (Neuromeningeal Manipulation) and VM4 (Thorax) is recommended, but not required. 

Required Advance Reading: We leave it up to each prospective student to assume responsibility for advance preparation. A student may feel frustrated if they do not study beforehand and come prepared with the knowledge from the prerequisite classes. 

Visceral Manipulation: Applications for Labor and Delivery (VLD)

Course Length: 4 Days

24 hours or 32 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: Visceral Manipulation: Applications for Labor and Delivery applies Visceral Manipulation techniques to working with women during and after pregnancy.

Course Highlights:

·         Learn how therapy during pregnancy can benefit the labor and delivery process. 

·         Understand the ways pregnancy can create organ dysfunction, as well as seemingly unrelated pain in the body. 

·         Discover how to evaluate the pregnant woman for organ dysfunction.

·         Learn exercises to teach pregnant clients to decrease pressure on the organs and enhance organ function. 

·         Integrate specific treatment techniques for common visceral restrictions found in pregnant women.

·         Learn about Visceral Manipulation precautions and contraindications when working with pregnant women.

·         Discover effective post-delivery evaluation and treatment techniques.

·         Practice working with pregnant women in a supervised environment.

Prerequisites: VM1 (Abdomen 1), VM2 (Abdomen 2), VM3 (Pelvis) and LT (Listening Techniques). NM1 (Neuromeningeal Manipulation) and VM4 (Thorax) is recommended, but not required. 

Required Advance Reading: We leave it up to each prospective student to assume responsibility for advance preparation. A student may feel frustrated if they do not study beforehand and come prepared with the knowledge from the prerequisite classes. 

Visceral Manipulation: Vascular System Manipulation (VSM)

Course Length:  3 Days

18 hours or 24 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: This course explores evaluation and treatment techniques for the vascular system of the body.

Course Highlights:

·         Review the anatomy and physiology of the vascular system. 

·         Understand how compression along vascular structures creates restriction patterns and pain throughout the body.

·         Practice listening techniques within the vascular system.

·         Learn to locate and release restrictions along the vascular structures. 

·         Learn practical integration of vascular treatment into the therapeutic session.

Prerequisites: VM1 (Abdomen 1), VM2 (Abdomen 2), and VM4 (Thorax).

Required Advance Reading: Manual Therapy for Peripheral Nerves by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; and Alain Croibier, D.O.

Listening Techniques (LT)

Course Length: 3 days

18 hours or 24 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: LT is designed to reinforce powerful "listening" skills.

Course Highlights:

·         Discover a new “listening skills” (palpation procedure) that helps guide you to the proper manipulation site.

·         Learn to interpret the information the body is offering regarding imbalances and dysfunctions.

·         Explore through listening how to determine which body structures are involved, and identify the best approach for treatment results.

·         Practice listening to the body systems, as they respond to your treatments.

·         Learn to identify the correct approach and amount of force when working on different parts of the body and with different clients.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Visceral Manipulation), or NM1 (Neuromeningeal Manipulation), or CSI (CranioSacral Therapy I), or  LDTI (Lymph Drainage Therapy 1) or  MLI (Mechanical Link I)

Required Advance Reading: None

Advanced Visceral Components of the Neck and Thorax (VMAT)

Course Length: 3 Days

18 hours or 24 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: The workshop will present specific and advanced techniques and explain the anatomy, breathing mechanism, function and physiology of the thorax.

Course Highlights:

·         Build on the knowledge of the thorax region as learned in VM4.

·         Review the myofascial structures of the thorax.

·         Explore the hyoid suspensory apparatus, thyroid, tonsils and pharynx.

·         Learn more precise techniques for the esophagus, pleura, heart and pericardium

·         Classify retropharangeal space.

·         Discover treatment techniques to enhance the breathing mechanism. 

Prerequisite: VM4 (Thorax)

Required Advance Reading: The Thorax by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Visceral Manipulation Dissection (VMD)

Course Length: 2 1/2 days

15 hours or 20 lessons of 45 min.

Synopsis: Explore human anatomy with a visceral manipulation focus.

Course Highlights:

·         Develop increased anatomical knowledge through hands-on dissection, palpation, exploration and discovery of specific individual organs, the systems they function within and the structural integrity of the entire body.

·         Observe dissection of the abdomen and pelvis, and dissection into the thorax.

·         Observe dissection of the cranium with a Visceral Manipulation focus.

·         Discover the detailed functional anatomy of abdomen, pelvis, thorax and cranium.

·         Learn topographical discernment of organs in relationship to the musculoskeletal system.

·         Break-out sessions with specific organs (liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lungs).

·         Study the disposition of the various organs/structures to discern pathological conditions.

·         Explore the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes and ligaments.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Abdomen 1)

Required Advance Reading: None

Visceral Manipulation Certification (VMC)

Description and Prerequisites to come