Coronavirus Update

COVID-19 and Your Safety

  • Our office is open and accepting appointments to provide essential care to patients. Our clinic is in complete compliance with current CDC protocols.
  • We are screening all patients for possible exposure to COVID-19.
  • Special attention and precautions are given to those over age 65 and those with other conditions that may put them at higher risk.
  • Our staff and patients are wearing masks, gloves when appropriate and washing hands frequently.
  • Commonly accessed areas are cleaned and sanitized frequently.
  • Free phone consultations are available to all patients and those individuals who may call in with questions.
  • Please let us know how we may be of service to you.

FAQ About COVID-19

Visceral Manipulation

APTOW is now offering Visceral Manipulation

Visceral Manipulation is a gentle manual therapy that aids your body's ability to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain and dysfunction. Visceral Manipulation, or VM, does not focus solely on the site of pain or dysfunction, but evaluates the entire body to find the source of the problem.

"Viscera" relates to the internal organs of the body, such as the liver, kidneys and intestines. The VM therapist feels for altered or decreased motion within the viscera, as well as restrictive patterns throughout the body and then applies VM techniques. VM therapy re-establishes the body's ability to adapt and restore itself to health.

How do Organs Contribute to Pain and Dysfunction?

Your body is made up of many interrelated components such as bones, muscles, nerves, a thin connective tissue called fascia, as well as the internal organs (viscera). Your organs are in perpetual motion. This movement of organs is transmitted through fascia to other structures of the body. When you are healthy, all the structures move with an interconnected fluidity. Optimum health relies on a harmonious relationship between the motions of the organs and other structures of the body.

Underneath the pain or diagnosis is a compensatory pattern created in the body with the initial source of the dysfunction often being far from where the pain is felt. Because of this, the VM practitioner searches for this pattern and the source, and treats the related tissues. The treatment is a gentle compression, mobilization and elongation of the soft tissues. As the source of the problem is released, the symptoms will start to decrease as the body returns to greater health.

APTOW Therapist Trained in Visceral Manipulation

Chantal Wilton, owner and head P.T. at Advanced Physical Therapy of Watertown (APTOW) has been trained in VM by the Barral Institute. The classes were taught by the man that developed Visceral Manipulation, world-renowned French Osteopath and Physical Therapist Jean-Pierre Barral, head of the Barral Institute. Time Magazine, citing his development of Visceral Manipulation (VM), named Jean-Pierre Barral, DO one of the Top Healing Innovators to watch in the new millennium.

"Comparative studies have found that VM is beneficial for treating pain, acute, digestive and musculoskeletal disorders, emotional and pediatric issues, as well as issues related to men's and women's health," said Ms. Wilton. "After my extensive training in Visceral Manipulation with the Barral Institute, I'm ready to offer VM to our patients at APTOW."

Please call (315) 782-0002 to find out more about the benefits of Visceral Manipulation or to schedule an appointment with Chantal.

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