Course Descriptions
Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 (VM1)
Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE Hours
In Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 you will study the models and theories of functional biomechanics as viewed from Barral’s innovative approach.
In this class you'll learn manual skills to locate, evaluate and normalize primary areas of dysfunction within the abdominal cavity, as well as explore the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes and ligaments. You'll also examine the relationship of organs and structural or neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, as well as, 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 CE Hours
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.
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. You will 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, as well as 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 CE Hours
Visceral Manipulation: The Pelvis (VM3) studies the relationship between the functional and structural mechanics of the pelvis.
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 and how to integrate the pelvic organs with the complex ligament systems of that body region. Explore additional principles of direct and indirect approaches and their appropriate applications. Also learn to 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 CE Hours
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.
In this class you will 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. And gain understanding in practical integration of the thoracic cavity organs. Learn about 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. There will be a 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 CE Hours
Visceral Manipulation 5 studies the use of Manual Thermal Evaluation to evaluate and improve organ functions.
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 usesthe internal organs to discharge and express excess energy (often of emotional origin) and how that affects structural integrity. Also 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 CE Hours
In Visceral Manipulation 6 you will explore
in depth the connections between our organs and our emotions.
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.
In this class you will investigate 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, as well as, learn how to break the visceroemotional cycle through Visceral Manipulation.
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 CE Hours
Visceral Manipulation: Applications for Pediatrics applies Visceral Manipulation techniques to working with infants, toddlers and children
You will learn how early therapy on newborns and infants can possibly reduce the percentage of problems they might encouner 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 a child. Also gain general treatment ideas, such as how to work with babies, toddlers, and children, as well as working with those who are tactilely sensitive. Gain an understanding of 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. Develope awareness regarding 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). NS1 (Neuromeningeal Manipulation) and VM4 (Thorax) are 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 Listening Techniques (LT)
Course Length: 3 days
18 CE Hours
Visceral Listening Techniques is designed to reinforce powerful “listening” skills.
Discover a new “listening skill” (palpation procedure) that helps guide you to the proper manipulation site and 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. Also practice listening to the body systems, as they respond to your treatments. Learn to identify the correct approach and determine amount of force necessary when working on different parts of the body and with different clients.
Prerequisite: VM1 (Visceral Manipulation), or VMIA (Visceral Manipulation IA), or NS1 (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 CE Hours
The workshop will present specific and advanced techniques and explain the anatomy, breathing mechanism, function and physiology of the thorax.
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 as well as 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 Certification (VMC)
Description and Prerequisites to come
Nervous System: Neuromeningeal Manipulation (NS1)
Course Length: 3 days
18 CE Hours
This is a specialized course focusing on the impact of whiplash.
You will study the three primary areas of trauma as they relate to whiplash: physical laws, evaluation and treatment. You will also discover new applications of visceral manipulation principles and techniques as they can be utilized for patients presenting whiplash and other conditions involving trauma and compare treatment sequence and tests for whiplash and traumatic injuries. Learn the appropriate anatomy and physiology for treatment of whiplash and trauma conditions, how to locate and release restrictions along the meningeal system, assess injuries to the soft tissues of the cervical region and learn treatment protocols for optimal release. You will also learn tests to determine restriction patterns of the cervicobrachial region, understand how whiplash creates restriction patterns throughout the body and identify techniques that encompass the whole body, as the whole body receives collision forces in a whiplash injury, not just the cervical spine. Also learn to evaluate restrictions in the lumbosacral region.
Prerequisite: Experience with manual listening skills.
Required Advance Reading: Trauma: An Osteopathic
Approach by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.
Nervous System: Peripheral Nerve Manipulation; Upper Body (NS2)
Course Length: 3 days
18 CE Hours
This course explores evaluation and treatment techniques for peripheral nerves of the upper body.
Explore in detail the anatomy and function of the peripheral nerves of the upper body and discover typical pain patterns that arise from dysfunction of these peripheral nerves. Learn evaluation methods and treatment techniques to facilitate normal functioning of these peripheral nerves. Also gain knowledge of various methods for releasing restrictions in nerves and explore practical integration into treatment sessions.
Prerequisite: Nervous System: Neuromeningeal Manipulation (NS1) or Visceral Approach to Trauma and Whiplash
Required Advance Reading: Manual Therapy for Peripheral Nerves by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; and Alain Croibier, DO.
Nervous System: Peripheral Nerve Manipulation; Lower Body (NS3)
Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE Hours
This course explores evaluation and treatment techniques for the peripheral nerves of the lower body.
Explore in detail the anatomy and function of the lower body's peripheral nerves and discover typical pain patterns that arise from dysfunction of these nerves. Learn evaluation methods and treatment techniques to facilitate normal functioning of these peripheral nerves. Also discover various methods for releasing restrictions in nerves and explore practical integration into treatment sessions.
Prerequisite: Nervous System: Neuromeningeal Manipulation (NS1) or Visceral Approach to Trauma and Whiplash
Required Advance Reading: Manual Therapy for Peripheral Nerves by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO and Alain Croibier, DO.
Nervous System: Brain, Cranial and Thoracic Nerve (NS4)
Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE Hours
This course explores evaluation and treatment techniques for nerves of the brain, cranium and thoracic region.
Explore in detail the anatomy and function of the brain, cranial and thoracic nerves and discover typical pain patterns that arise from dysfunction of the brain, and the cranial and thoracic nerves. Learn evaluation methods and treatment techniques to facilitate normal functioning of these nerves.
Learn differential evaluation skills to determine skull, suture and brain fixation. You will explore how compressions of the brain cause dysfunction in the cranial nerves and how intercranial pressure affects the function of the entire body, as well as cranial techniques to bring about normal functioning. Learn practical integration into treatment sessions.
Prerequisite: Nervous System: Peripheral Nerve Manipulation; Upper Body (NS2) and Peripheral Nerve Manipulation; Lower Body (NS3) or Visceral Approach to Trauma and Whiplash I
Required Advance Reading: None
Neuro-Viscero-Emotional Synthesis (NVS)
Course Length: 3 days
18 CE Hours
This course is a fusion of all the levels of the Visceral
Manipulation and Nerve Manipulation curriculum to
enhance the effectiveness of the evaluation and treatment process.
In this class you will explore the organs in greater depth with regard to structure, ligaments, capsula and nerves. You will also learn more about the metabolic (direct manipulation in compression and decompression on the organs), energetic (organs, brain, nervous system) and emotional (each major organ) components of the body and how they are interrelated.
Discover ways to combine the treatment of multiple organs (e.g., liver, right kidney, lung, spleen, left kidney and descending colon) and additional techniques to treat the neuro-viscero-emotional components of a pain condition. Explore how to lead a therapeutic session, perform an all encompassing assessment, and choose the best therapy to apply.
Prerequisite: VM6 (VisceroEmotional Relationships) or AVMII (Advanced Visceral Manipulation II) and NS4 (Brain, Cranial and Thoracic Nerve)
Required Advance Reading: None
Nervous System Certification (NSC)
Description and Prerequisites to come
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