Visceral Manipulation
Craniosacral Therapy
Organic Intelligence
Somatic Experiencing
Visceral Manipulation releases tension in
the ligaments and fascia of the body’s organs
to restore organ motility and anatomical
mobility.
Gentle hands-on technique and energy work
free the internal organs to move and glide freely.
Heal accumulated stress and trauma.
The body that carries the trauma serves as the doorway to transform and heal the past. In restoring unconscious stress and trauma held in the body’s tissues, the nervous system is free to make new choices.
All trauma is a potential opening through which healing that creates new life possibilities and a new future.
Sessions blend Visceral Manipulation, Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Organic Intelligence. These gentle methods honor the inherent capacity of the nervous system to self-regulate.
> First-time, 30-minutes free
To get 30 minutes free, Use Code: SEVM60, when you schedule a 90-min session
How was Visceral Manipulation developed?
Centuries ago VM originated in China and Tibet,
then spread throughout Europe and Asia. In the 1970’s Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral, a French osteopath, re-developed these ancient techniques into modern day trainings. Dr. Barral is internationally recognized as a leading innovator in the wave of alternative medicines. According to Barral, “In a single day, your internal organs move 30,000 times. Your liver alone travels 600 meters.” Restrictions in this natural motion can, over time, create pain, inflammation, and chronic irritation that paves the way for disease and dysfunction.
What can I expect?
VM sessions are performed both seated and lying down. The therapist “listens”
with their hands to evaluate the movement and restrictions of specific organs.
Soft manual releases free the ligaments and fascial tissue of the restricted organ
to restore normal motility, mobility and function.
While everyday stress is the most common cause of the lack of motion in organs, other causes can include illness, trauma, and inherited factors.
What are the benefits?
VM can alleviate back pain, digestive disturbances, recurring infections, migraines, allergies, TMJ, and any chronic issue. Working with organs relaxes and rebalances the body’s entire nervous system, releasing serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter. VM is extremely relaxing, and is highly recommended as an excellent adjunct to craniosacral therapy, somato-emotional release, and deep tissue massage.
In a VM class in Washington DC of 45 students, I was stunned that the class was largely attended by physical therapists (PT). I asked one of the PT’s why he had chosen to take this class.
“It works better than what I learned in PT school.”
VM’s style of fascial tissue release and restoration of anatomical ‘motility’ is the genius
work of Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral. Barral says, “Americans treat too much with your heart. You must learn to listen to the body directly.”
Craniosacral Therapy
The CST Pump
The CranioSacral system is also a rhythm pump, like the heart and lungs. The CS system spans between two regions of bone, the cranium (consisting of the skull, face and mouth bones) and the sacrum. Connecting these two regions are membranes: dura mater, arachnoid membrane and pia mater. These tissues create a semi-closed hydraulic pump system that bathes the spinal cord and brain in cerebrospinal fluid which, like blood, provides vital nourishment and detoxification. When the CS system is healthy, it has a rhythm that properly balances and energizes the functioning of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system.
Alleviate Pain and Tension
As a gentle method of detection and correction, CST encourages your own natural healing mechanisms. CST detects imbalances in the bones and membranes with a touch of no more than 5 grams, the weight of a small coin. The therapist releases and resolves the restrictions in these tissues with delicate manual techniques. You will benefit from the deep sense of harmony and tranquility that this work provides. CST is good for chronic pain, allergies, low energy, digestive disturbances, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines, TMJ, and other chronic conditions and symptoms. Free of restrictions, you and your body will feel lighter, happier, stronger, and able to return to higher levels of performance.
Somatic Experiencing
Weight gain and low energy. Chronic pain, allergies, digestive disturbances. Headaches, dizziness, TMJ. Difficult relationships, frustration, depression, anxiety, procrastination, feeling stuck, or disconnected. We may be baffled, where do these symptoms come from? They are all possible signs of compressed energy, or trauma, in the body.
Self-Regulation read more
Clearing Symptoms
Symptoms are a result of the body’s attempt to contain 
compressed energy. Contrary to modern belief, the resolution does not lie in stopping the symptom. Instead, an SE practitioner utilizes a dynamic interplay between memory, body sensations, and dialogue to gradually and safely discharge compressed frozen biological energy. The discharge and completion of this biological freeze response allows the nervous system to regain its inherent capacity to self-regulate. The completion of this former nervous system pattern results in an obvious reduction or disappearance of chronic symptoms.
Trauma as Overwhelm
Trauma may be loosely defined as overwhelm in the body and mind: too much, too fast, too soon. In this overwhelm, the intelligence of the body employs the use of three basic self-protective responses: fight, flight, freeze.
Because these responses create highly charged states in the body, our rational minds tend to override and inhibit their full expression. And it is this restraint that traps and compresses the energy in the body, causing the dysregulation of normal functions, physical, emotional and mental.
Dr. Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing® by observing how wild prey animals, though threatened routinely, are rarely traumatized. Instead, they use innate mechanisms to regulate and discharge the high levels of arousal associated with life-threatening situations, allowing them to return to normal balance once the threat is over. Dr. Levine has doctorates in medical and biological physics from the University of California-Berkley and a Ph.D. in psychology from International University. He has researched the psychology and physiology of trauma for over 35 years and is the author of “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma.”
Self-Care Reminders for Thresholds & Transitions
Orientation as Grounding & Settling
For Your Visits
First-time session usually include SE dialogue. VM & CST are forms of hands-on bodywork. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Please do not eat large, heavy meals and avoid alcohol prior to your visit. Come well hydrated. Do your best to get a good night’s sleep before and after.
Rates
Sessions are $165/60 minute for emotional-physical healing which combines Somatic Therapeutic Dialogue with hands-on TouchLink work featuring craniosacral and visceral techniques
Gloria Gonzalez, CMT SEP, is Creator of I AM The Medicine. Her integrative therapy practice includes: Nia, Yoga, Somatic Experiencing, Organic Intelligence, Visceral Manipulation, and Craniosacral Therapy.