Visceral Manipulation 4 (VM4)

After taking Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 and 2, you’ve become acquainted with the feel of the different abdominal organs and local restrictions. In the Thorax workshop, you’ll take an expanded look at the functional biomechanics of the thoracic cavity. You’ll also explore the relationship between the hard frame and soft frame with its countless articulations for respiration, circulatory requirements and upper body movement patterns.

Overview

• Explore visceral fascia of the throat and thoracic cavity.
• Review the anatomy, biomechanics and function of the thoracic organs.
• Study the biomechanics of the cervical, thoracic, rib cage and shoulder girdle complex.
• Learn techniques to release the soft tissue components of the thoracic inlet and hyoid apparatus.
• Practice listening techniques within the thoracic activity.
• Understand practical integration of the thoracic cavity organs.
• Learn integration of the thoracic organs with the complex ligament systems of that body region.
• Discover techniques for differentiating between somatic and visceral causes for thoracic and spinal problems.
• Special Focus on Pleura, Lungs, Pericardium, Heart, Mediastinum, Thyroid, Trachea, Esophagus, Sternum, Rib Cage and Thoracic Plexuses.

Hours

Registration starts at 830am on the first day of class. Daily class hours are from 9am – 530pm. On the last day, we will end by 4pm.

Prerequisite

Visceral Manipulation: The Abdomen 2 (VM2)

Advance Preparation

To prepare for the course we suggest that you read The Thorax by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Below is a list of terms and structures that are important in your preparation for this course. In addition, referencing these terms and structures from good anatomical texts such as the currentBritish Edition of Gray’s Anatomy, Clemente’s Anatomy and/or Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy are highly encouraged.

1. Fascial systems of head and neck and thorax (all are outlined in Jean Pierre Barral’s text The Thorax)

   • Superficial
   • Midcervical
   • Deep
   • Clavipectoral
   • Subclavian
   • Pleural
   • Pericardial

2. Structures of anterior neck

   • Hyoid (and associated muscles infra and supra)
   • Thyroid cartilage and gland
   • Cricoid cartilage
   • Trachea

3. Anatomy, Biomechanics and Function of clavicle, first rib, shoulder and thoracic inlet

4. Sternoclavicular Joint Ligaments-anterior; posterior; interclavicular

5. Ligaments of shoulder

   • Coracoclavicular (conoid, trapezoid)
   • Coracoacromial
   • Coracohumeral
   • Acromioclavicular

6. Clavicle

   • Subclavius muscle
   • Costoclavicular ligament

7. First Rib-vascular relationships (subclavian artery and vein)

8. Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Function of the Sternum

   • Sternochondral joints (7)
   • Costochondral joints (10)
   • Costovertebral joints
   • Costotransverse joints
   • Mechanisms of breathing–muscles of respiration
   • diaphragm
   • external intercostals
   • internal intercostals
   • levatores costorum

9. Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Function of the Pleura and Lungs

   • pleura-parietal; pulmonary
   • lobes of the lungs
   • pleural dome, mediastinal recess, costodiaphragmatic recess

10. Thymus-anatomical position and function

11. Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Function of the Heart and Pericardium

    • Ligaments of the heart-phrenopericardial; superior sternopericardial;
    • inferior sternopericardial; vertebral pericardial
    • Coronary arteries-right coronary; left interventricular

12. Anatomy, Biomechanics and Function of the Mediastinum

    • Bronchus (right, left)
    • Trachea topography in thorax
    • Esophagus topography in thorax continuing into abdomen and also initiation
    • from C6
    • Cervical

13. Plexus

    • Cardiac
    • Celiac
    • Stellate ganglion

14. Phrenic nerve