Large Intestine(Cecum, colon etc.)
The large intestine absorbs water, and electrolytes. Certain vitamins, and some drugs are also absorbed into the blood capillaries from the large intestine. As with the small intestine, the blood flow volume for the large intestine is significant. For the small and large intestines combined, as much as one liter of blood per minute passes through at rest, and four liters per minute after a meal. The large intestine spans about 1.5 meters from the cecum to the sigmoid colon. Bordering the abdominal cavity, it is found in the pelvic regions and travels as high as the diaphragm with connections to the liver and to the spleen. It comes into contact with many structures including the SI joints, urogenital organs, iliac vessels, kidneys, duodenum, liver, stomach and pancreas, spleen and small intestine. If restricted, the large intestine can have an effect on the above organs and their related nerves, blood vessels etc.
The transverse colon is in constant motion, rising when full and descending when empty. The colon extends from the cecum to the rectum, with an average length of 1.5m. It’s diameter diminishes progressively from 7-8cm in the ascending colon, to 5cm in the transverse, to 3-5 in the descending and sigmoid colon.
Visceral Manipulation, and the large intestine:
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle, and supportive manual therapy. Working with the ligaments, and tissues surrounding the organs. If you’re curious about the therapy in general, click this link to read more: https://www.wtwmassage.com/post/visceral-manipulation
When evaluating any of the viscera, we check for alterations in the proper physiologic placement of the organ. We tune into the mobility & motility of the organ, ensuring it has adequate space to utilize its full and proper axis of movement on its own, as well as in relation to other viscera. If we tune into these movements, and find that there are no discrepancies, that everything seems to be moving as it should be-we simply move on to another area.
When working with the viscera, we do so with the thinking of “less is more”. Working each organ a maximum of 3 cycles of mobilization in each plane of movement, so as not to overwhelm it. The beautiful thing about our bodies, is that they are always working. The changes we support through these mobilizations will continue to take place over hours, days, and weeks going forward as your bodies continue to do the work.
Those who have been in a motor vehicle, or inertia-based trauma (whiplash, high velocity impacts etc). As our bodies have to brace our internal organs upon impact, and as a result, may have developed areas of restriction. Those who have undergone an abdominal or pelvic surgery, as this creates scar tissue, and a drying out of the tissues making them less pliable, and more prone to adhesion. Pregnancy, as our organs have to do a lot of rearranging in order to make space for a growing baby.
Who can benefit from Visceral Manipulation of the large intestine?
Cecum: R lower abdomen pain 5-6 hrs after eating, R SI pain, r psoas hypertension (low back pain), uterus rotated towards cecum, r ovarian issues, obturator nerve irritation.
Sigmoid colon: Hemorrhoids, L pain iliac fossa, varicose veins, l psoas spasm.
In general: Acute, or chronic low back pain, varicose veins l side, joint pain lower limbs, IBS, Colitis, constipation, difficulty with digestion.
Sources:VM1-Barral InstituteVisceral Manipulation: Jean-Perre Barral & Pierre MercierPhysiological and Clinical Applications of Visceral Manipulation: Ron Mariotti
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