Visceral Manipulation for Gut Health & Back Pain in Colwood & Langford
Did you know your organs are anchored to your spine? When internal tissues restrict, they pull on your skeletal frame, causing chronic neck, hip, and back pain.
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle, specialized manual therapy that restores mobility to your internal organs and their connective tissues. By releasing deep internal restrictions, we address the root mechanical cause of persistent structural tension.
All Visceral Manipulation sessions at our clinic are performed by Daryl Stubbs, RMT, registered with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). Because this therapy is performed under Daryl's RMT registration, it is fully eligible for standard Registered Massage Therapy extended health insurance benefits and direct billing.
The "Missing Link" in Chronic Pain
Why Your Pain Isn't Where You Think It Is
Your organs are designed to slide and glide as you move. When inflammation, surgery, or repetitive strain causes these tissues to adhere, the nervous system protects the area by tightening the surrounding muscle layers. That is why standard massage therapy or deep tissue massage only provides temporary relief if the underlying visceral restriction is left unaddressed.
Because Visceral Manipulation is a rare, highly specialized manual therapy modality in British Columbia, patients regularly travel to our Colwood clinic from all over Greater Victoria—including Oak Bay, Saanich, Esquimalt, the West Shore, and up-island from Duncan. By combining visceral release with active rehabilitation principles from Athletic Therapy, we help you restore long-term mobility.
4 Common Connections We Treat
Liver & Right Shoulder
The Connection: The liver connects to the diaphragm, sharing the Phrenic Nerve which travels directly to the right shoulder.
The Symptom: Deep, aching tension on top of the right shoulder that feels like a "knot" but never releases with standard massage.
Intestines & Low Back
The Connection: The "Root of the Mesentery" (anchor for the small intestine) attaches directly to the front of your lumbar spine (L1-L5).
The Symptom: A nagging, deep low back ache that gets worse after eating or when bloated. It feels "stiff" and deep inside the spine.
Stomach & Left Shoulder
The Connection: Just like the liver on the right, the stomach sits under the left diaphragm. Tension here pulls on the left Phrenic Nerve.
The Symptom: Chronic left neck stiffness or "Trapezius" tightness that flares up with stress, acid reflux, or shallow breathing.
Gallbladder & Scapula
The Connection: The gallbladder refers pain via the Vagus nerve and spinal segments T4-T9, often bypassing the abdomen entirely.
The Symptom: A sharp, stabbing pain under the right shoulder blade (scapula) or tension running up the right side of the neck.
The Organ-Pain Connection Explained
RMT Daryl Stubbs demonstrates how internal organ restrictions transmit tension to your spine, shoulders, and hips.
Why Pain Returns (0:39)
How organ-fascial connections pull on your spine and hips.
Is Pain From Your Organs? (Short)
Nerve pathways that transfer organ stress to muscle pain.
Stomach Massage Demo (Short)
Proper clockwise colon path for relieving bloating.
Conditions We Treat
Visceral Manipulation addresses the root cause of these common issues.
Chronic Back Pain
Releasing deep tension pulling from the front.
Learn More →
Digestive Issues (IBS)
Reducing mechanical restriction in the gut.
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Sciatica Relief
Addressing pelvic organ pressure on nerves.
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C-Section/Surgery Scars
Mobilizing scar tissue adhesions.
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Hip Mobility
Restoring cecum/sigmoid colon motion.
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Chronic Acid Reflux
Releasing tension in the diaphragm/stomach.
Learn More →
What to Expect
Internal Listening
We use gentle palpation (listening hands) to find where your organs are restricted or pulling.
Precision Release
Using only 5 grams of pressure (the weight of a nickel), we encourage the organ to release its tension.
Integration
We re-check your spinal mobility. Often, a "stuck" back moves freely once the front is released.
Meet Daryl Stubbs, RMT
"I have pursued advanced training in Visceral Manipulation through the Barral Institute because I saw too many patients whose back or hip pain wasn't just a simple muscle knot. By treating the restrictions in the organ system under standard RMT care, we can often resolve chronic cases that have failed other treatment approaches. My credentials can be verified securely by name on the CCHPBC public registry."
Read Full Bio →Session Rates
Covered under Registered Massage Therapy benefits.
Initial Assessment & Treatment
Required for all new patients to identify internal restrictions.
- Full health history review
- Organ mobility screen
- Gentle visceral release
- Structural integration
- Direct Billing Available
Follow-Up Session
Continue restoring motion to the organ system.
- Focused visceral release
- Deep tension resolution
- Scar tissue mobilization
- Nervous system regulation
- Direct Billing Available
* Visceral Manipulation is a gentle therapy suitable for all ages.
What Locals Say
Kind Words from Our Patients
Recent 5-Star Reviews from your neighbors in Colwood & Langford.
2 months ago
Daryl takes a holistic approach to treatment and takes the time to understand what is going on in the whole body. After treatment I felt lighter and had less tension in my hips and lower back. Would highly recommend!
3 months ago
My experience at Sync Massage Therapy was outstanding! RMT Daryl was very careful to discuss my specific physical issues and medical conditions with me before we even began; he discussed various methods of treatment and their benefits with me before we even began, and made sure that my preferences and needs were incorporated into my treatment plan. I've been to many other RMT's who just treated me according to their standard routine, but Daryl made sure that our session was going to be centered around my specific health needs. He patiently answered all of my questions about various treatment styles, and didn't try to impose a plan on me. He checked in with me throughout the massage to make sure everything was comfortable and effective, and suggested other steps that we might incorporate into a long-term treatment plan. Daryl truly has my best interests at heart, and I'm glad that he is so knowledgable and intuitive in making a health-care plan for me!
4 months ago
Daryl is the best RMT Massage therapist you could find! He takes the time to understand your conditions, training and goals. His clinic is well situated if you're in the Langford/ Colwood or View Royale area. Skilled with his hands and gets to the root of the problem with great knowledge and techniques. Athletes looking for excellent training insight and athletic therapy, he is your guy!
2 months ago
Daryl takes a holistic approach to treatment and takes the time to understand what is going on in the whole body. After treatment I felt lighter and had less tension in my hips and lower back. Would highly recommend!
3 months ago
My experience at Sync Massage Therapy was outstanding! RMT Daryl was very careful to discuss my specific physical issues and medical conditions with me before we even began; he discussed various methods of treatment and their benefits with me before we even began, and made sure that my preferences and needs were incorporated into my treatment plan. I've been to many other RMT's who just treated me according to their standard routine, but Daryl made sure that our session was going to be centered around my specific health needs. He patiently answered all of my questions about various treatment styles, and didn't try to impose a plan on me. He checked in with me throughout the massage to make sure everything was comfortable and effective, and suggested other steps that we might incorporate into a long-term treatment plan. Daryl truly has my best interests at heart, and I'm glad that he is so knowledgable and intuitive in making a health-care plan for me!
4 months ago
Daryl is the best RMT Massage therapist you could find! He takes the time to understand your conditions, training and goals. His clinic is well situated if you're in the Langford/ Colwood or View Royale area. Skilled with his hands and gets to the root of the problem with great knowledge and techniques. Athletes looking for excellent training insight and athletic therapy, he is your guy!
4 months ago
I have really enjoyed the rmt style and techniques used with his massage practice. I originally was curious what visceral massage was as I had watched a reel and then instantly wanted to try it. I have not been disappointed and have felt the results building overtime. I always leave the session feeling lighter and relieved. Through the following week I still have benefits on going. In addition, he has also provided homework and other things I can try and given me knowledge about what might be happening. This has also seen improvements overall. I would definitely recommend anyone to seek massage and sports therapy from him.
5 months ago
I had such a great experience yesterday. He was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain what was going on with my body instead of just treating the symptoms. I really appreciated that he also gave me specific exercises and stretches to do at home so I can continue improving between appointments. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping his clients feel better. Highly recommend!
4 months ago
I have really enjoyed the rmt style and techniques used with his massage practice. I originally was curious what visceral massage was as I had watched a reel and then instantly wanted to try it. I have not been disappointed and have felt the results building overtime. I always leave the session feeling lighter and relieved. Through the following week I still have benefits on going. In addition, he has also provided homework and other things I can try and given me knowledge about what might be happening. This has also seen improvements overall. I would definitely recommend anyone to seek massage and sports therapy from him.
5 months ago
I had such a great experience yesterday. He was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain what was going on with my body instead of just treating the symptoms. I really appreciated that he also gave me specific exercises and stretches to do at home so I can continue improving between appointments. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping his clients feel better. Highly recommend!
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about Visceral Manipulation.
Is this painful?
No. Visceral Manipulation is extremely gentle. We use about 5 grams of pressure (the weight of a nickel) to encourage the organ to release. It is not a 'deep tissue' abdominal massage.
Does this help bloating/IBS?
Yes. By releasing restrictions around the intestines and sigmoid colon, we can improve motility (movement) and reduce the sensation of bloating.
Can I do this after surgery?
Yes, it is excellent for C-section or abdominal surgery recovery. However, we typically wait 6-8 weeks post-surgery for the incision to heal before beginning treatment.
Solve the Root Cause
Where is Sync Massage Therapy Located
Sync Massage Therapy
Sync Massage Therapy is located inside the Coastal Offices at the end of the Holiday Inn parking lot. Serving Colwood, Langford, and the West Shore community.
- Monday9:00am - 5:00pm
- Tue - Thu8:00am - 8:00pm
- Friday9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sat - SunClosed
Free parking available on site.