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Viscera&Chronic Pain
Viscera, Serosal Membranes, Organ Gliding, Negative Pressure & Chronic Pain
1. Introduction: Why Chronic Pain Often Doesn’t Appear on Imaging
Modern medical imaging such as X-rays, CT, and MRI can detect
structural abnormalities in bones, discs, and organs.
Yet many people still report:
“They told me nothing is wrong, but the pain continues.”
This is extremely common.
More than half of all chronic pain cases do not match imaging findings.
Why?
Because chronic pain often arises not from structural problems
but from disturbances in function.
While MRI visualizes structure, chronic pain frequently involves:
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Tension of serosal membranes
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Reduced organ gliding
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Dysregulated breathing and internal pressure
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Heightened neural reflexes
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Postural compensation
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Autonomic nervous system strain
These functional disturbances are invisible on imaging,
yet they meaningfully influence pain, tightness, and mobility.
2. What Are Serosal Membranes?
Our internal organs are enveloped by thin layers called
serosal membranes.
They play several critical roles:
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Facilitating smooth organ movement
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Adapting to changes in posture and breathing
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Preventing friction between organs
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Communicating with muscles through neural pathways
When these membranes become tense, adhered, or less flexible,
the consequences may include:
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Restricted organ mobility
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Compensatory muscle tension
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Postural imbalance
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Persistent tightness or discomfort
Common patterns include:
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Stomach → left shoulder tension
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Liver → right shoulder/back tightness
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Intestines → low back or hip tightness
These are known as viscero-somatic reflexes.
Serosal tension cannot be detected by MRI,
yet it is involved in many chronic complaints.
3. What Is Organ Gliding?
Our organs are not rigidly fixed in place.
They move and glide smoothly with every breath and posture change.
This property is called organ gliding.
When gliding is restricted:
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One-sided low back tightness may appear
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The upper or lower back becomes rigid
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The trunk may twist or compensate
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Shoulders elevate more easily
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Breathing becomes shallow
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This is not merely a muscular issue—
it reflects the interplay of organs, membranes, and breathing mechanics.
4. Negative Pressure & the Diaphragm
Within the thoracic and abdominal cavities,
a delicate balance of negative pressure keeps the organs stable.
This balance is regulated primarily by the diaphragm.
When posture, stress, or shallow breathing disrupt this pressure:
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Organs may descend
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The back becomes tight
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Low back pain becomes more likely
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Autonomic function becomes strained
People with restricted diaphragmatic motion often struggle
with persistent chronic pain.
5. Viscero-Somatic Reflexes:
How Organ Stress Appears as Muscular Pain
Stress arising within an organ can be expressed as muscular tension
through the spinal cord. These are viscero-somatic reflexes, such as:
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Stomach → left shoulder
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Liver → right shoulder/back
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Colon → low back
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Uterus/ovaries → pelvis and hips
This does not mean the organ is diseased—
rather, it indicates how the body compensates for internal strain.
6. Why Manual Therapy Can Help:
Creating the Conditions for Self-Regulation
We do not forcefully adjust or apply strong pressure.
By supporting the interplay between organs, membranes, breathing,
and the nervous system, we help activate the body’s
natural ability to self-regulate.
When tension decreases and mobility improves,
the system often shifts toward balance on its own.
7. Our Integrated Approach:
Viewing the Body as One Living System
At Enmeidou, we do not treat the body in isolated parts.
We assess the interconnected whole—
movement, organs, membranes, neural patterns, and posture.
Using gentle, integrated methods,
we facilitate natural, sustainable change
without forcing the body.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is visceral work painful?
A. No. It is performed gently and safely.
Q. How is this different from medical treatment?
A. Medicine evaluates structure.
We evaluate function.
Q. Who is this approach suitable for?
A. Those with chronic pain, restricted mobility,
postural or breathing issues, and long-standing discomfort.
9. In Closing:
Supporting the Hidden Layers of Your Well-Being
Your pain may be influenced by factors that are not visible on standard imaging—such as serosal membranes, tissue glide, pressure balance, and neural reflex responses.
Would you like us to take a careful look, evaluating your whole body as one connected system?