VCT - New manual therapy method for treating internal organ problems

1. Review of the VCT method

Visceral Convergence Therapy (VCT) is an integrated visceral therapy method. Its name is derived from the term “viscera” in Latin, meaning the internal organs of the body. This method uses conventional visceral therapy techniques and modern scientific knowledge among others. Hereafter you can read the article by József Olosz leading physiotherapist.

During the development and further advancement of this method, I followed closely the recent scientific research so that the therapy would the as efficient and safe as possible. This method considers the importance of not only the movement that takes place between our organs and the adhesions, but the mechanisms of the brain, thus revealing a path towards a holistic approach that studies the relationships between internal organs, the musculoskeletal system and the central nervous system at the same time.

VCT is not a universal solution for all internal organic problems, but in certain cases, for example in digestive, urological or gynecological problems it can provide a rapid and effective solution. During the treatment, it can be seen in a short time how effective the therapy if for a given person, and if necessary, the treatment can be complemented with additional therapeutic methods - such as Stecco fascia manipulation, Maitland manual therapy or physical therapy, or a physician can be included in the process to help, if needed.

2. Why is VCT needed?

The human body is a marvelously complex system in which every part is connected to the others. Imagine that your internal organs and the musculoskeletal system (muscles, fascia, joints and bones) are all part of an orchestra in complete harmony, where the nervous system is the conductor, and all instruments play a key role in the complete symphony. But what happens when an instrument is broken, or it sounds false, or the conductor makes a mistake? The harmony of the whole orchestra is disturbed.

I see it as both the strength and weakness of conventional medicine that is places an intense focus on the detailed studying and treatment of specific organs. In this approach, gynecologists treat gynecological problems, gastroenterologists treat digestive problems, neurologists treat neural dysfunctions, while rheumatologists treat lower back pain. However, this highly specialized approach often neglects that the body functions in a holistic way: that it is not enough if the individual “musical instruments” sound well in themselves, you can only make a really astounding symphony if all contributing parties pay attention to each other and play in perfect harmony.

The question may arise: how is it possible that with some massage-like pressing motions we can influence the function of our internal organs? How can be affect menstruation, digestion or even a migraine with an “abdominal massage”? Soon I will answer these questions as well, but let’s start with the basics.

3. Theoretical background of the function of visceral organs

3.1. Internal organs like to move

It is generally known that our muscles and joints move, and how it is important, because it is very visible. But have you ever thought that under the skin, our internal organs move just the same, and this is required for their normal function?

Let’s see breathing, for example. You can see as the chest rises and expands and the shoulders move. However, what you do not see is that meanwhile, internal organs also move back and forth. During inhalation, the liver can move downwards even by 3 to 5 centimeters, the spleen and kidneys also move about 1.5 cm [1].

We can see the same with the uterus during menstruation: it drops 3 cm so the endometrium can be removed [2].

3.2. How are our internal organs fixed in their position?

If our organs would not be fixed in their place some way or other, they would all be located on the pelvic floor, unbothered by us breathing or walking.Internal organs are interconnected with a special connective tissue system - the fascia - and with ligaments. The are also connected to the chest, ribs, muscles and pelvis. This system does not only provide stability of the organs, but at the same time ensures their necessary movement.

Let’s have a look at how the uterus is secured in place. On the front, it is connected to the bladder and the pubic bone with a ligament, while on the back, to the rectum and the sacrum. On the sides, ligaments between the pelvic bone wings and the lateral abdominal muscles provide its stability and mobility.

3.3. What happens when they are unable to move?

This can happen for example when due to the excessive tension of the ligaments and the fascia, they are not able to support the motion of the internal organs.

Adhesions are perfect examples how traumas can have an impact on the function of internal organs. A surgery (Caesarean section, appendix removal, abdominal laparoscopic surgery), pelvic fracture or chronic inflammation (endometriosis, IBS, Chron’s disease) can result in scarring that limits the movement of our organs, thus reducing their natural mobility [3].

If you overexert your calf during running and it becomes stiff, it becomes visibly and noticeably tense and painful. Meanwhile, you cannot feel your internal organs moving, and you also cannot see it directly.

And indeed, our organs function automatically, in an unconscious manner. On one hand, this is a plus, because if we would feel and consciously be aware of every internal movement and process, our attention would be completely consumed by how our morning sandwich moves through our digestive system or when the bladder is getting full. At the same time, this “invisibility” also means that our organs can work dysfunctionally for a long time without us noticing it.

3.4. They tell us when there is a problem

Revisiting our orchestra analogy mentioned before, where each instrument symbolizes an internal organ: if it sounds false, it will affect the harmony of the whole orchestra. Similarly, our visceral organs have a highly complex neural system. In this way, they are not only connected to the brain but also to each otherand to muscles, joints, and even the skin.

According to the most recent research, problems related to internal organs can radiate to other areas as well due to neural convergence, that is, the connections between nerves.

In an interesting animal study performed on mice, when inflammation was induced in the intestines of the animals, the calf muscles became oversensitive. However, when the researchers reversed the study setting and started to stimulate the feet of mice with cold or electronical impulses, sensitivity occurred at the region of the colon [4].

Further studies have demonstrated that women who had C-section often suffer from lower back pain as well as neck pain or headache in the years following the surgery due to the adhesions. Meanwhile the sites of the trauma and the scars are often not sensitive.

4. How does VCT work?

We are able to affect the function of our visceral organs manually in two ways:

1. 1. First, directly, when we work directly in the abdominal cavity, right next to the organs. During this, we use sensitive and soft motions to influence the internal organs and their suspension, helping their movement.
   If you think about a stomachache, when you instinctively press on your belly - by this, you are trying to reduce the pain my moving your organs. In a therapeutic setup, we use special techniques to achieve this.
   

2. 2. We can also have an impact on internal organs indirectly. As the internal organs are connected to the pelvis, the ribs and different muscles with ligaments and the fascia, we can influence their function by treating the surrounding areas. For example, in a study performed on women suffering from painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), trigger point therapy of the muscles around the pelvis in itself reduced cramps [5].
   Those who often experience headache may notice that they instinctively massage or press on their neck in order to reduce pain. This indirect self-help “treatment” demonstrates best the indirect techniques of VCT.
   

A módszer egy multidiszciplináris, integrált megközelítést alkalmaz. Direkt terápiás módszerek, mint a Barral módszere és a CPT (Clear Passage Therapy), valamint indirekt eljárások, úgymint a Stecco fascia kezelés, a Trigger Point Therapy (TrP), és a Maitland manuálterápia ötvözésével jött létre. Az elméleti alapokat az idegi konvergencia elmélete és az agy fájdalommegküzdési mechanizmusai adják. Ezen alapelvek fényében a módszer kifejezetten a belső szervek, a mozgásszervrendszer és a központi idegrendszer közötti összetett interakciókra és hatásmechanizmusokra fókuszál. [6]

This method uses a multidisciplinary, integrated approach. It is the results of combining direct therapeutic methods such as the Barral method and CPT (Clear Passage Therapy) and indirect methods such as the Stecco fascial treatment, Trigger Point Therapy (TrP) and Maitland manual therapy. The theoretical basis rests on the theory of neural convergence and the brain’s mechanisms for coping with pain. In light of these principles, the method focuses particularly on the complex interactions and mechanisms between the internal organs, the musculoskeletal organs and the central nervous system [6].

The goal of the assessment protocol is not to diagnose, meaning that it does not focus on determining specifically which internal organ is dysfunctional, but to understand how a dysfunctional organ affects our musculoskeletal system.

Although the VCT method cannot be considered a universal solution for all internal organic problems, in the cases where it is relevant – such as digestive problems like bloating or constipation, urological problems as recurring UTIs, frequent urination or urine retention and gynecological symptoms like painful or irregular menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) –, it provides an quick and effective therapeutic approach. During the treatment process, it soon becomes evident how effective the therapy can be for a given individual. If VCT does not provide a solution, this also becomes clear fairly soon, as functional problems that are treatable with the method respond already after one to three treatments, allowing us to look for other therapeutic approaches.