May 01, 2013
Vanatta Attends Visceral Functional Mobilization Course
Todd Vanatta, physical therapist at Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists, recently attended a course in Raleigh, NC on Visceral Functional Mobilization™. This 3-day lab-intensive course focused on gaining mobility of all structures through the abdomen and pelvis to improve performance of everyday tasks or activities such as lifting, bending, and breathing.
People who suffer from back pain often have tight and restricted muscles in the back and/or pelvis as well as limited mobility in the associated joints. Many studies have shown that the structures in the front of the spine, including organs, and one of the breathing muscles, the diaphragm, can similarly restrict motion and function and may benefit from light, non-invasive mobilization of the connective tissue associated with these structures. Physical therapy can address these dysfunctions as well as train trunk muscle control to reduce pain and restore normal function.
Abdominal structures and various organs can refer pain into other areas of the body such as the neck, shoulder, back and pelvis. A properly trained physical therapist can assess the nature of a person's dysfunction and pain patterns and help determine the proper course of treatment. A doctor should help to rule out any specific problem from the function of an organ; however properly trained physical therapists can assess the mobility of the connective tissues associated with an organ.
Studies have shown that physical therapy to improve mobility of the abdominal connective tissues can be highly beneficial in reducing spinal, pelvic, and shoulder pain. Additional studies have shown that improving the mobility of the abdomen and associated structures can be highly beneficial in people with chronic constipation, gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders, breathing problems, pelvic pain, and dysmenorrhea.
Todd Vanatta includes assessment and treatment of abdominal and pelvic structures in practice when appropriate depending on a person's diagnosis. If you have any questions about how assessing visceral mobility may help with your mobility or decreasing pain, please contact him at Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists at 815.756.8524.
Should I ask my doctor to refer me if I think I may need therapy?
Definitely. When you have a problem you think may be helped by physical therapy ask your doctor or give us a call and we will help you to determine if this is a problem that may be helped by physical therapy.
freedom to move
Your Right to Choose
The decision of where you go to receive treatment is
yours. If you have a specific therapist or practice you
would like to go to, you should let your doctor or
insurance company know this. Not all physical
therapists or practices are the same and the choice
of your provider is yours.
Follow Us On 
