Recurring injuries can threaten the most basic exercise routine.
In a recent patient case study, I was able to demonstrate the influence of the kidneys on those patients with a chronic sports injury and prior abdominal surgery.
Lisa came to see me with a persistent neural “hamstring” pain in her right leg which was affecting her running.
She had an appendectomy at the age of 15, and I explained to Lisa that appendectomy surgery on the colon can create a downward pull on the right kidney and inhibit its natural movement of ascent and descent as it follows the diaphragm during respiration.
What’s more, the fixation of the structures behind the kidneys, namely the nerves of the lumbar plexus, can also be affected. This can lead to the kind of persistent pain Lisa was experiencing.
Fortunately, with careful evaluation and Visceral Manipulation treatment, we were able to improve her biomechanics, free up the nerves, and reduce her pain.
Lisa’s story is a great example of the benefits of this treatment for patients who have long-standing injuries that keep them from functioning normally.
This is Lisa’s story.
I thought my body would never be happy running again!
– Lisa
“I have been a long distance runner for the past 8 years, and have completed 4 Comrades Marathons and 5 Two Oceans Ultra Marathons.
I have been struggling with minor injuries for the past 2 years – always the same thing: this tight, burning neural pain in my right leg. It would come right for a short while after visiting a physio, but would reappear after a few weeks. I then developed neural pain in both my feet, and had Morton’s neuromas removed from both feet in October 2019.
I’ve slowly tried to get back to running, but the pain in my right leg returned with a vengeance, and my usual physio treatments were not helping. A friend suggested I see Joanne.
Joanne assessed me and advised that scar tissue from previous surgery (having my appendix and gall bladder removed) was stopping my kidney and diaphragm from moving correctly, and this was putting pressure on blood vessels and nerves in my right side. I was rather sceptical as the technique is so different to what I’m used to, but I’m running almost completely pain-free for the first time in months.
As runners, we’re so focussed on keeping our muscles and ligaments strong and healthy, that we forget that our bodies are complete ecosystems – tension in our organs attachments can affect us as much as a strained hamstring!
I thought my body would never be happy running again!”
Treatment that helped Lisa
Visceral manipulation focuses on the influence of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen peritoneum, and greater omentum, and provides a deeper understanding of the abdominal cavity.
The kidneys are especially unique in their connection to the nervous system, vascular system, muscular system, and other organs. They are also vulnerable to trauma and ptosis, which can cause multiple symptoms such as back pain, hip pain, knee pain, medial foot pain, urinary frequency, hypertension, and more. This is the reason why kidney belts are worn in many sports such as powerlifting, off road riding and skiing.
It is more important than ever to prioritize our health. Daily walks and runs are a great way to stay active and increase longevity, but recurring injuries can be frustrating and prevent us from exercising regularly. Visceral Manipulation is a highly rewarding treatment for long-term injuries that keep us from exercising.
It is so great to be able to do Visceral Manipulation as a treatment for those patients that have had a long history of an injury that keeps them dysfunctional.
Our Barral Institute Visceral Manipulation courses offers practitioners valuable techniques that can improve the lives of their patients.