The energy movement of the viscera

All body tissues are animated by rhythmic micromovements whose frequency varies according to their embryological origin (endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm). Earlier (pre) Heaven Qi (before birth) is the source, the cause of this vital rhythm called Primary Respiratory Movement in Osteopathy (we use the term movement rather than mechanism). Passive listening allows to perceive this energy movement which takes the shape, under the hand, of a continuous coming and going. The frequency for bones and muscles, derived from mesoderm, is 10 cycles a minute. When the energy does not circulate, this rhythmic swaying disappears, either the therapist has a sensation of a stiffness inside the tissue or his (her) hand is always drawn in the same direction.

To study the energy movement in the viscera, the practitioner « questions » the dermis facing it in a precise direction which is given by the « migration » (move from one location to another) of the viscera during embryonic development. For example, the stomach rotates 90° clockwise around its longitudinal axis passing through its two extremities and rotates around its antero-posterior axis during 7th and 8th weeks.

To study the stomach, the therapist directs the impulse into the dermis, with the palm of hand, in an oblique direction caudally and medially, at 45°(see pictures 1 and 2). For the liver, the impulse is directed cephalically and laterally at 45°(see picture 3). It is a faster and more efficient control than passive listening. The energy does not circulate properly in the viscera if the therapist cannot « cross » the dermis. Before interrogating it, the therapist must make sure the dermis can be mobilized on the underlaying tissue with a usual palpation. The control for other viscera is described in chapter III.

This test does not give, however, the origin of the disorder that the practitioner will find in the reading grid studied in the book. He/she will be able to assess the effectiveness of the corrections made by repeating these tests.