Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE's

Synopsis: In VM1 you will study the models and theories of functional biomechanics as viewed from Barral's innovative approach.

Course Highlights:

• Learn manual skills to locate, evaluate and normalize primary areas of dysfunction within the abdominal cavity.
• Explore the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes and ligaments.
• Examine the relationship of organs and structural or neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.
• Assess the quality of functional activity and somatic structures as they relate to an overall pattern.

Prerequisite: Experience with sensitive, light-touch palpation.
Required Advance Reading: Visceral Manipulation by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank Netter, MD, or A Regional Atlas of the Human Body by Carmine Clemente.

Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE's

Synopsis: In Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 2 you will expand on the functional anatomy, hand placements and techniques you learned in Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 to give you a deeper understanding of the abdominal cavity and its relationship to the cranial and thoracic cavities.

Course Highlights:

• Explore the deeper structures within the abdominal cavity, focusing on the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, greater omentum, peritoneum, and their connective or suspensory tissues.
• Learn about the concept of restriction planes, mobility and motility.
• Begin to incorporate multiple long-lever techniques into your VM work.
• Participate in supervised, hands-on sessions that guide you through specific techniques for locating and evaluating each organ, along with the effects and contraindications.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Abdomen 1) or VMIA (Visceral Manipulation IA).
Required Advance Reading: Visceral Manipulation II by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE's

Synopsis: Visceral Manipulation: The Pelvis (VM3) studies the relationship between functional and structural mechanics of the pelvis.

Course Highlights:

• Learn to identify, receive and conduct Jean-Pierre Barral's method of evaluation and treatment for the organ systems of the pelvic cavity, including the integration of the pelvic organs with the complex ligament systems of that body region.
• Discover techniques for differentiating between somatic and visceral causes for pelvic and low back problems.
• Discover how to integrate the pelvic organs with the complex ligament systems of the body region.
• Explore additional principles of direct and indirect approaches and their appropriate applications.
• Integrate the pelvis into the body with principles of Lines of Tension.

Prerequisite: VM2 (Abdomen 2) or VMIB (Visceral Manipulation IB).
Required Advance Reading: Urogenital Manipulation by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE's

Synopsis: 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.

Course Highlights:

• 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.

Prerequisite: VM2 (Abdomen 2) or VMIB (Visceral Manipulation IB).
Required Advance Reading: The Thorax by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE's

Synopsis: VM5 studies the use of Manual Thermal Evaluation to evaluate and improve organ functions.

Course Highlights:

• Learn the use of Manual Thermal Evaluation to find restrictions and organ dysfunction in the body.
• Explore the synchronicity between the body and brain, and how that affects the health of a person.
• Discover how the brain uses the internal organs to discharge and express excess energy (often of emotional origin) and how that affects structural integrity.
• Practice working with energy loss, locating structural restrictions contributing to pain, and managing a therapeutic session.

Prerequisite: VM3 (The Pelvis) and VM4 (The Thorax).
Required Advance Reading: Manual Thermal Evaluation by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; Understanding the Messages of Your Body by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE's

Synopsis: Explore in depth the connections between our organs and our emotions.

Course Highlights:

• Explore the body and the organism, physical energy, psychoemotional energy and release techniques all with respect to Jean Pierre Barral’s unique visceral approach.
• Discover all three levels of Manual Thermal Evaluation, active and passive tissuloemotional liberation, and psychoemotional liberation.
• Understand the Chicken-or-Egg Syndrome in relation to organ dysfunction and emotions.
• Learn how to break the visceroemotional cycle through Visceral Manipulation.
• As a workshop that would typically be offered at the post-graduate level, this course engages course participants in a dynamic exchange of information tailored to advanced skills.

Prerequisite: VM5 (Manual Thermal Evaluation and Introduction to VisceroEmotional).
Required Advance Reading: Understanding the Messages of Your Body by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Course Length: 4 Days
24 CE's

Synopsis: Visceral Manipulation: Applications for Pediatrics applies Visceral Manipulation techniques to working with infants, toddlers and children.

Course Highlights:

• Learn how early therapy on newborns and infants can possibly reduce the percentage of problems later in life.
• Explore embryology and the developmental landmarks (normal and abnormal) that occur month by month during and after gestation.
• Discover how to evaluate a baby or child.
• Learn general treatment ideas, such as how to work with babies, toddlers, and children, as well as working with those who are tactilely sensitive.
• Understand the signs of trauma, as well as evaluation and treatment techniques.
• Integrate specific treatment techniques for common visceral restrictions found in children, as well as Barral’s approach to cranial techniques.
• Learn about Visceral Manipulation precautions and contraindications when working with children.
• Explore special considerations, e.g. typical surgeries, prematurity, children with neuromotor problems and craniosynostosis.
• Practice working with infants and children in a supervised environment.

Prerequisite: : VM1 (Abdomen 1), VM2 (Abdomen 2) and some training in CranioSacral Therapy. NM1 (Neuromeningeal Manipulation), VM4 (Thorax) and LT (Listening Techniques) are recommended, but not required.
Required Advance Reading: We leave it up to each prospective student to assume responsibility for advance preparation. A student may feel frustrated if they do not study beforehand and come prepared with the knowledge from the prerequisite classes.

Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE's

Synopsis: This course explores evaluation and treatment techniques for the vascular system of the body.

Course Highlights:

• Review the anatomy and physiology of the vascular system, particularly how arteries dilate or diminish in diameter depending on the function of the body.
• Understand how compression along vascular structures creates restriction patterns and pain throughout the body.
• Learn to locate and release restrictions along the vascular structures using direct techniques on the arteries like compression, decompression and elongation, as well as indirect techniques using the limbs.
• Explore manipulation of the soft tissues of the heart itself, aorta, subclavian artery, along with all the arteries connected with the visceral system.
• Enhance your understanding of how increased blood circulation to an organ improves function of the viscera, and learn how to improve the blood circulation to organs, directly and/or indirectly.
• Learn treatment of the vaso-pressive system and the brain.
• Discover the research done with doppler ultrasound to determine the best mobilizations of the arteries to improve local and general blood circulation.
• Learn practical integration of vascular treatment into the therapeutic session.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Abdomen 1), VM2 (Abdomen 2), and VM4 (Thorax).
Required Advance Reading: Manual Therapy for Peripheral Nerves by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; and Alain Croibier, D.O.

Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE's

Synopsis: This course explores evaluation and treatment techniques for the vascular system of the body.

Course Highlights:

• Review the anatomy and physiology of the vascular system, particularly how arteries dilate or diminish in diameter depending on the function of the body.
• Understand how compression along vascular structures creates restriction patterns and pain throughout the body.
• Learn to locate and release restrictions along the vascular structures using direct techniques on the arteries like compression, decompression and elongation, as well as indirect techniques using the limbs.
• Explore manipulation of the soft tissues of the heart itself, aorta, subclavian artery, along with all the arteries connected with the visceral system.
• Enhance your understanding of how increased blood circulation to an organ improves function of the viscera, and learn how to improve the blood circulation to organs, directly and/or indirectly.
• Learn treatment of the vaso-pressive system and the brain.
• Discover the research done with doppler ultrasound to determine the best mobilizations of the arteries to improve local and general blood circulation.
• Learn practical integration of vascular treatment into the therapeutic session.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Abdomen 1), VM2 (Abdomen 2), and VM4 (Thorax).
Required Advance Reading: Manual Therapy for Peripheral Nerves by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO; and Alain Croibier, D.O.

Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE's

Synopsis: LT is designed to reinforce powerful "listening" skills.

Course Highlights:

• Discover a new "listening skills" (palpation procedure) that helps guide you to the proper manipulation site.
• Learn to interpret the information the body is offering regarding imbalances and dysfunctions.
• Explore through listening how to determine which body structures are involved, and identify the best approach for treatment results.
• Practice listening to the body systems, as they respond to your treatments.
• Learn to identify the correct approach and amount of force when working on different parts of the body and with different clients.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Visceral Manipulation), or VMIA (Visceral Manipulation IA), or NM1 (Neuromeningeal Manipulation), or CSI (CranioSacral Therapy I), or LDTI (Lymph Drainage Therapy 1) or MLI (Mechanical Link I).
Required Advance Reading: None

Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE's

Synopsis: The workshop will present specific and advanced techniques and explain the anatomy, breathing mechanism, function and physiology of the thorax.

Course Highlights:

• Build on the knowledge of the thorax region as learned in VM4.
• Review the myofascial structures of the thorax.
• Explore the hyoid suspensory apparatus, thyroid, tonsils and pharynx.
• Learn more precise techniques for the esophagus, pleura, heart and pericardium.
• Classify retropharangeal space.
• Discover treatment techniques to enhance the breathing mechanism.

Prerequisite: VM4 (Thorax).
Required Advance Reading: The Thorax by Jean-Pierre Barral, RPT, DO.

Course Length: 3 Days
18 CE's

Synopsis: The workshop will present specific and advanced techniques that work with the nervous system of the abdomen.

Course Highlights:

• Discover locations in the body where the nervous system of the abdomen can be influenced directly or via trigger points.
• Evaluate and manipulate the nervous system in relation to the skin of the abdominal region.
• Explore the nervous system structures within the abdominal cavity, focusing on the hiatus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen, small intestine and large intestine.
• Participate in supervised, hands-on sessions that guide you through specific techniques for locating and evaluating very precise structural points related to the abdominal organs to facilitate optimal release of restricted tissues.

Prerequisite: VM2 (Abdomen 2)
Required Advance Reading: None

Course Length: 2 1/2 days
CE's

Synopsis: Explore human anatomy with a visceral manipulation focus.

Course Highlights:

• Develop increased anatomical knowledge through hands-on dissection, palpation, exploration and discovery of specific individual organs, the systems they function within and the structural integrity of the entire body.
• Observe dissection of the abdomen and pelvis, and dissection into the thorax.
• Observe dissection of the cranium with a Visceral Manipulation focus.
• Discover the detailed functional anatomy of abdomen, pelvis, thorax and cranium.
• Learn topographical discernment of organs in relationship to the musculoskeletal system.
• Break-out sessions with specific organs (liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lungs).
• Study the disposition of the various organs/structures to discern pathological conditions.
• Explore the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes and ligaments.

Prerequisite: VM1 (Abdomen 1) or VMIA (Visceral Manipulation IA).
Required Advance Reading: None

Course Length: 1 day
CE's

Synopsis: Enjoy this exceptional opportunity to witness Jean-Pierre Barral -- the developer of Visceral Manipulation and Neural Manipulation -- as he demonstrates his skills on pre-selected cases and audience volunteers (time permitting). Observe hands-on presentations in particular areas, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, low-back pain or fibromyalgia. Then spend the afternoon with Jean-Pierre Barral as he discusses these and other cases from a Visceral Manipulation viewpoint. It's a rare opportunity to gain insight and expertise from one of the world's leading authorities in complementary care.

Course Highlights:

• Receive detailed explanations as the instructor proceeds through each case.
• Closely observe the nuances of Barral's distinctive treatment style.
• Gain valuable information from other VM practitioners - the cases they're working on, areas they need advice in, patient successes.

Prerequisite: Any healthcare practitioner may attend; only alumni of VM2 (Abdomen 2) or higher-level courses may participate in question-and-answer sessions.
Required Advance Reading: None