Bodhiworks Physiotherapy
Carolyn Lockman
Carolyn Lockman is a highly experienced physiotherapist with over 30 years of hands-on practice in Australia and the UK. A graduate of the University of Sydney (1996), Carolyn specialises in sports injury rehabilitation, spinal conditions, musculoskeletal therapy and women's health – including pre- and postnatal physiotherapy.
As a certified Clinical Pilates instructor (Levels 1–4, Dance Medicine Australia), Carolyn integrates movement therapy with hands-on treatment to support long-term healing and injury prevention. Her expertise also includes advanced techniques such as visceral manipulation, craniosacral therapy and muscle energy techniques, trained through prestigious institutions like the Barral and Upledger Institutes and Advanced Manual Therapists Association in Australia.
At Bodhiworks Physiotherapy, Carolyn delivers a holistic, patient-focused approach tailored to your body’s needs – combining manual therapy with education, exercises and long-term wellness strategies.
She also contributes to the physiotherapy profession by assisting with teaching at the Barral Institute and stays committed to continuing education. Outside the clinic, Carolyn enjoys yoga, travel and an active lifestyle. BODYWORKS PHYSIOTHERAPY
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Visceral Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation by Jean-Pierre Barral: How Treating the Whole Body Can Help Relieve Pain and Restriction
Visceral Manipulation by Jean-Pierre Barral in Prahran
Visceral Manipulation is a specialised hands-on physiotherapy approach developed by French physiotherapist and osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral. At Bodhiworks Physiotherapy in Prahran, I incorporate Barral's Visceral Manipulation techniques into a broader whole-body approach to physiotherapy, particularly when restrictions in the body's connective tissues may be contributing to pain, stiffness or altered movement.
The body does not work as a collection of separate parts. Muscles, joints, fascia, nerves, organs and connective tissues are constantly interacting as we move, breathe and adapt to changes within the body.
This is the principle that makes Visceral Manipulation particularly interesting.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the place where you feel pain, Visceral Manipulation considers the relationships between the internal organs, their surrounding connective tissues and the musculoskeletal system.
It is a gentle manual therapy approach that was developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, whose work has focused extensively on the relationship between visceral structures and the body's mechanical and fascial systems.
At Bodhiworks, I use these techniques as one component of a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment and treatment, rather than as a replacement for conventional physiotherapy or medical care.
What is Visceral Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle form of manual therapy that focuses on the mobility and relationship between the body's internal organs and the surrounding tissues.
The word "visceral" refers to the organs of the body, including structures such as the:
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Liver and gallbladder
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Stomach and oesophagus
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Small and large intestine
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Kidneys
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Bladder
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Reproductive organs
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Lungs and diaphragm
These organs do not simply sit independently inside the body. They are connected to surrounding structures through fascia, ligaments, connective tissue and membranes. They also have relationships with the spine, pelvis, ribcage and diaphragm.
The body needs these structures to move relative to one another as we breathe, digest food, change position and move.
When tissues become restricted following surgery, injury, inflammation, illness or prolonged changes in movement, normal mobility between structures may be altered.
The aim of Visceral Manipulation is to assess these relationships and, where appropriate, use gentle manual techniques to encourage more normal tissue mobility.
The Work of Jean Pierre Barral
Visceral Manipulation was developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, a French physiotherapist and osteopath who developed a particular interest in the relationship between the body's internal organs and the musculoskeletal system.
Barral's approach evolved from his clinical observation that some patients with musculoskeletal problems did not respond fully when treatment was directed only at muscles, joints and the spine.
This led to the development of a system of assessment and manual treatment that considers the connections between the visceral and musculoskeletal systems.
The approach is particularly interesting because it encourages clinicians to think beyond the location of pain.
For example, someone experiencing persistent thoracic or lumbar discomfort may have a combination of muscular, joint, fascial and visceral influences contributing to their movement pattern. This does not mean that an organ is necessarily the "cause" of their pain. Rather, it recognises that the body functions as an interconnected system.
Why might an organ affect movement?
Our organs are surrounded by connective tissue and have attachments or relationships with other structures.
The diaphragm, for example, has important anatomical relationships with the ribcage, lumbar spine and abdominal organs. The liver sits beneath the diaphragm, while the stomach, oesophagus and intestines have their own fascial and ligamentous relationships with surrounding structures.
When we breathe, move and change position, these structures need to accommodate movement.
Following abdominal surgery, for example, scar tissue and changes in tissue mobility can alter how the abdominal wall and surrounding tissues move. Similarly, inflammation or prolonged periods of altered movement may change the way a person loads their spine or pelvis.
The body is remarkably adaptable, but sometimes these adaptations can become persistent.
This is where assessing the whole movement system can be valuable.
Visceral manipulation and scar tissue
One of the situations where I may consider visceral techniques is following abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Surgical scars are not necessarily problematic simply because they are present. However, surgery can result in changes to the mobility of the tissues around the scar and within the deeper layers of the abdomen.
A scar may feel tight, sensitive or restricted, and sometimes a person notices that movement through the abdomen, pelvis or trunk feels different following surgery.
At Bodhiworks, I may assess how the scar and surrounding tissues move and whether there are associated restrictions elsewhere in the body.
Treatment is not necessarily directed at the scar itself. Instead, I look at the relationships between the scar, fascia, abdominal tissues, diaphragm, pelvis and musculoskeletal system.
How can visceral restrictions influence the musculoskeletal system?
The body constantly makes adjustments to maintain movement and stability.
If one area becomes less mobile, another area may compensate.
For example, reduced mobility through the abdominal or thoracic region may influence:
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Spinal movement
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Ribcage mechanics
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Breathing patterns
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Pelvic movement
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Hip mobility
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Abdominal muscle recruitment
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Posture
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Movement strategies
These changes can sometimes contribute to persistent muscular tension or altered movement patterns.
Importantly, this does not mean that every back, hip or shoulder problem has a visceral cause.
This is why I don't use Visceral Manipulation as a stand-alone explanation for pain. Instead, it is one component of my clinical assessment.
What does a Visceral Manipulation treatment feel like?
The techniques used are generally gentle.
Treatment may involve the hands being placed over the abdomen, ribcage or other areas of the body while I assess tissue mobility and movement.
The sensation can vary considerably between individuals. Some people describe feeling:
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A gentle pulling or stretching sensation
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Pressure
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A sense of movement deep within the abdomen
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Tension gradually releasing
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Increased ease of movement
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A change in breathing or relaxation
The treatment should not be aggressively painful.
As with any hands-on treatment, techniques are selected according to the individual, their medical history and clinical presentation.
A whole-body approach to physiotherapy in Prahran
At Bodhiworks Physiotherapy in Prahran, I combine conventional physiotherapy assessment with a range of specialised hands-on techniques.
Visceral Manipulation is one tool within that broader approach.
My goal is always to understand the individual rather than simply treat a diagnosis or a painful body part. Your history, previous injuries, surgeries, lifestyle, movement patterns and current symptoms all contribute to the clinical picture.
Sometimes the most useful treatment is directed precisely at the painful area.
Sometimes we need to look further away.
And sometimes, understanding how different parts of the body interact provides another piece of the puzzle.
If you are experiencing persistent pain, stiffness or movement restriction and would like to explore whether a whole-body physiotherapy approach may be appropriate for you, Bodhiworks Physiotherapy in Prahran can provide an individual assessment and treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visceral Manipulation painful?
It is generally a gentle treatment. You may feel pressure, stretching or a sense of tension in the tissues being assessed, but treatment should not be aggressively painful.
Can Visceral Manipulation treat internal organ disease?
No. Visceral Manipulation should not be considered a treatment for diseases of the internal organs. Medical assessment and appropriate medical treatment are essential when an internal medical condition is suspected.
Can Visceral Manipulation help after surgery?
It may be considered where surgery has resulted in changes to scar mobility or surrounding tissue movement. Treatment is individualised and depends on the type of surgery, healing stage and clinical presentation.
How many treatments will I need?
There is no predetermined number. Some people notice changes relatively quickly, while more longstanding or complex presentations may require a combination of hands-on treatment and rehabilitation over a longer period.
Is Visceral Manipulation suitable for everyone?
No. A thorough physiotherapy assessment is important to determine whether this approach is appropriate. Certain medical conditions, recent surgery or unexplained symptoms may require medical assessment before treatment.
Interested in Visceral Manipulation?
If you would like to find out whether Visceral Manipulation may be appropriate as part of your physiotherapy treatment, contact Bodhiworks Physiotherapy in Prahran to arrange an assessment.
A whole-body approach may provide another perspective when conventional treatment alone hasn't completely resolved the problem.
Specialisation
Neck thoracic and lower back pain
Headaches and migraines
Muscle strains
Tendon injuries and tendinopathies
Joint pain and arthritis
Pre-and post-natal
Pelvic and sacroiliac joint pain
Post-operative recovery
Rehabilitation
Jaw pain (Tempero-mandibular joint dysfunction)
Dry needling
Cupping
Neuromeningeal manipulation
Visceral manipulation inclusive of musculoskeletal pain, digestive disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction and emotional stress and trauma
Craniosacral therapy
Muscle energy techniques
Clinical Pilates
BPPV (Vertigo)
Exercise therapy