The Missing Piece

in Many Massage Sessions:

Learning to Work with the Viscera

Abdominal Massage: The Visceral Approach

Often overlooked in modern bodywork, yet the belly plays a central role in digestion, breathing, posture, and overall wellbeing. The foundational principles of this hands-on training are derived from Chi Nei Tsang, the ancient Taoist approach to working with the internal organs, integrating time-honored wisdom with modern therapeutic and clinical application.

Founder and Instructor

  • 10 years Clinical Abdominal & Visceral Bodywork

  • Over 90 Hours of Certified Training overseas with multiple Chi Nei Tsang Master Practitioners

  • #1 Clinical Massage Therapist in the US - 2024

  • Massage Hall of Fame Inductee

  • Internationally Trained, Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist, LMBT 15460

  • NCBTMB Continuing Education Provider #1002128

Heather Marie, LMBT

Upcoming Abdominal Classes

Friday - April 10, 2026

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Academy of Massage Therapy & Bodyworks
Pottstown, PA (near Philadelphia)

Register Here

Tuesday - September 15, 2026

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Topsail Island Massage
Surf City, NC

Register Here

Sunday - October 11, 2026

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

NC Massage School
Cornelius, NC (near Charlotte)

Register Here

Why This Work Matters

Digestive Dysfunction

Improving motility, circulation, and mobility of the digestive organs, supports more efficient digestion and relief from common gastrointestinal discomforts.

Breath Restrictions

Working in upper abdomen and rib attachments can support diaphragmatic movement, helping clients breathe fully and increase oxygenation and relaxation.

Nervous System Regulation

By stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, deep relaxation helps to shift the body our of chronic stress and other emotional holding patterns.

Postural Compensation

Restrictions within the abdominal cavity can influence spinal alignment and muscular balance, and releasing these can restore natural posture and movement.

Pelvic & Hip Imbalance

Many muscles influencing pelvic position attach through the abdomen and lumbar region. This work can help reduce compensatory strain in the hips and pelvis.

Fascial Restrictions

Addressing the abdominal fascia can positively influence fascial continuity through the chest, hips, and legs, improving overall mobility and fluid movement.

Scar Tissue Restrictions

Targeted techniques can soften adhesions and improve tissue glide, allowing surrounding structures to move more freely and reduce discomfort.

Chronic Back Pain

Releasing abdominal tension can reduce strain on the lumbar spine by restoring balance between the anterior and posterior structures of the core and body overall.

Core Stability

Improving mobility and awareness in the abdominal tissues can help clients reconnect with their core, supporting efficient stabilization and functional movement.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Therapists will gain knowledge & confidence of human organ location within the abdominal cavity, along with hands-on training in each quadrant of the belly using manual techniques to release physical blocks & create space for better overall health & wellbeing.

The course also references Gut-Brain Axis, Eastern & Western philosophies, benefits, contraindications, visual & palpative assessment. It includes a detailed manual with pictures and step by step guide for a 60 minute sequence. This can be a great add on to any massage or it’s own new menu item for your personal practice.

The purpose of the course is for therapists to leave with the ability to include abdominal work in their sessions immediately. They should feel comfortable and confident working within the viscera safely while keeping the client relaxed and in a parasympathetic state so they can feel safe and enjoy the therapy along with its benefits.

  • Comprehensive Training Manual

  • Full Abdominal Treatment Sequence

  • Hands-on Guided Practice

  • Learn how to safely observe and palpate the abdomen to assess tissue tone, structure, and areas of restriction. These assessment skills help guide treatment decisions and allow therapists to identify patterns that may influence digestion, posture, breathing, and overall function.

  • Therapists will develop a clear understanding of the anatomical layout of the abdominal cavity, including the location and relationships of the major organs. This foundation allows practitioners to approach abdominal work with confidence while recognizing how the viscera interact with surrounding fascial, respiratory, and musculoskeletal structures.

  • Special emphasis is placed on developing refined palpation skills and a sensitive therapeutic touch. Therapists will learn how to work respectfully with the abdomen while recognizing subtle tissue responses and maintaining a calm, safe environment for the client.

  • Therapists will learn a structured sequence of abdominal techniques designed to address each quadrant of the belly. Participants will practice hands-on methods that encourage mobility, circulation, and space within the abdominal cavity while remaining adaptable to individual client needs.

  • Students will develop the ability to think critically about when and how abdominal techniques should be incorporated into a session. Emphasis is placed on understanding indications, contraindications, and how visceral work can complement other therapeutic approaches.

  • Working with the abdomen requires clear communication and client trust. Therapists will learn how to introduce abdominal work professionally, explain its benefits, obtain informed consent, and maintain client comfort throughout the session.

  • Explore how abdominal techniques may influence digestion, respiration, circulation, and nervous system regulation. Therapists will also learn how to evaluate treatment outcomes and recognize changes that may occur during and after session.

Therapist Testimonials

  • “This course completely changed the way I approach the abdomen.”

    I used to avoid abdomianl work because I wasn’t confident in what I was feeling. After this class, I now incude it in many of my sessions and my clients immediately notice the difference in breath and posture.

  • "Clients are requesting this work specifically."

    Once I started offering abdominal sessions, clients began asking for it. So much so that it has become a unique service that sets my practice apart from those in my area.

  • "My clients with digestive issues are finally getting relief."

    Within the first few weeks of using these techniques, several of my clients reported improved digestion and relief from constipation, gas, bloating and general abdominal discomfort.

  • "Amazing what only ONE session will do!"

    An elderly client came in with chronic leg pain and limited mobility. After incorporating the lower abdominal techniques I learned from this course to open the path to the lower extremities, his movement improved immediately. He walked out saying he hadn’t felt that good in years.

  • "Clients frequently feel leaving both physically and emotionally lighter."

    The belly holds so much protective tension. Since taking this class, I’ve noticed that when the abdomen softens, clients often experience a profound sense of relief in many different areas of the body and also a sense of relaxation that goes beyond the muscular release.

  • "These techniques are gentle but incredibly powerful."

    "These techniques are gentle but incredibly powerful."

    What surprised me most is how subtle the work can be while still creating profound changes in the body. It’s amazing how relaxed the client is while sinking into restrictions. They leave feeling lighter, more relaxed, and breathing easier.

Meet Your Instructor

Heather Marie, LMBT, has spent over a decade studying and practicing abdominal and visceral bodywork. Her approach has been shaped by years of hands-on clinical experience and advanced study with master practitioners in the Chi Nei Tsang lineage overseas, allowing her to blend traditional visceral techniques with modern therapeutic application.

Since 2016, Heather has owned and operated a successful massage and bodywork clinic in the Charlotte area, Organic Touch Inc, where she has trained and mentored numerous therapists while helping thousands of clients improve their health and mobility. Through this work, she has seen firsthand how powerful abdominal therapy can be in supporting digestion, restoring postural balance, improving breathing patterns, and helping clients reconnect with their bodies.

Heather is also widely recognized for her dedication to excellence within the massage profession. Her commitment to refining technique and advancing clinical bodywork led her to earn multiple awards in massage championships, including being named #1 Overall American Massage Champion in 2024. These experiences have further strengthened her passion for innovation, precision, and raising the standard of therapeutic and clinical massage.

As an educator, Heather is deeply passionate about sharing knowledge in a way that empowers therapists. Her teaching style emphasizes clear anatomy, thoughtful assessment, and practical techniques that can be integrated immediately into practice. Her goal is not only to teach techniques, but to help therapists develop greater confidence, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how the body functions as an integrated system.

Through her courses, Heather strives to support fellow therapists in expanding their clinical skills, elevating their practice, and ultimately helping more people experience the benefits of thoughtful, high-quality bodywork.