There’s a whole new world inside
Post Graduate Training
We offer post graduate training to healthcare professionals. Our training is open to all practitioners that have knowledge of anatomy and previous hands on experience – these include physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, medical doctors, nurses, naturopaths, acupuncturists and massage therapists
Visceral Manipulation
near you
You can find a practitioner near you using our online worldwide directory. If you are looking for a practitioner in the United Kingdom then we have an interactive map that will help you find them.
Register for
a Course
Our courses book up quickly so if you would like to attend then please reserve your space now by registering for a course. The link below will take you to our registration form so you can start your learning journey with us
Jean-Pierre Barral, developer of Visceral Manipulation.
About Barral Institute UK
Barral Institute UK is the United Kingdom branch of Barral Institute Inc. based in Florida USA. The Barral Institute is a health education, training and research organisation dedicated to the advancement of Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation and related Manual Therapies.
Classes in Visceral Manipulation have been taught since 1985. The Barral Institute has been named after the developer of visceral manipulation, French osteopath and physiotherapist, Jean-Pierre Barral. Find out more about starting your journey learning visceral manipulation here.
Scott Russell and Alison Harvey, BIUK directors.
Visceral Manipulation courses in the UK
Since 2008 we have been bringing the best possible training in visceral manipulation to the United Kingdom. Over the years the demand for this training has lead to a greater number of courses being offered in the UK. We are delighted to be one of the few places in the world that has run practically all of the courses developed by the Barral Institute. We aim to provide the best instructors (including the developers of the work, Jean-Pierre Barral and Alain Croibier) and training so that we can bring more skills to practitioners here whom ultimately help their patients benefit from these unique therapies.
Being a small family run business we enjoy getting to know the people who attend our classes and love watching a community of therapists develop. While the classes are to learn skills, there is also plenty of opportunity for exchange of ideas and networking. We usually have a class lunch and there are social events at various times of which we have many happy memories.
Our Courses
Visceral Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation (VM) was developed by world-renowned French Osteopath and Physical Therapist Jean-Pierre Barral. Barral's clinical work with the viscera led to his development of a form of manual therapy that focuses on the internal organs, their environment and their influence on many structural and physiological dysfunctions.
Visceral Manipulation is based on the specific placement of soft manual forces looking to encourage the normal mobility, tone and motion of the viscera and their connective tissues. These gentle manipulations may potentially improve the functioning of individual organs, the systems the organs function within, and the structural integrity of the entire body.
Neural Manipulation
French Osteopath Alain Croibier collaborated with Jean-Pierre Barral to develop Neural Manipulation. Neural Manipulation examines mechanical relationships between the cranium/spine hard frame to the dura and neural elements. It provides assessment and treatment approaches to work with restrictions of the dural and neural components not commonly focused on with musculoskeletal symptoms. Neural Manipulation’s main aim is to identify and release local nerve restrictions whilst at the same time examining the effect these local fixations have on the rest of the body.
Manual Articular Approach
The Manual Articular Approach (MAA) courses are based on clinical techniques personally developed by Jean-Pierre Barral combined with Alain Croibier's scientific information.
"Articular" refers to the joints of the body, which are critical points of interconnectivity between all other structures within the body. MAA is a manual therapy modality that applies a comprehensive approach to working with the joints. It integrates all aspects of the joint including the nerve, artery, bone, capsule, meniscus and ligaments, as well as visceral and emotional connections. The application of the gentle MAA techniques aims to improve the body’s ability to restore itself to optimal health.
Listening Techniques
Listening techniques are evaluation techniques that Jean-Pierre Barral has developed and are the key to the effectiveness of his work. They are skill enhancement classes, which are not only designed to teach new skills, but also to refine the application of the evaluation techniques.
Viscerovascular Manipulation
The circulatory system is a vital system in the body. This system, like all other body structures can hold tension that may affect not only itself but the body tissues in general. These classes introduce how to feel for and release restrictions in the blood vessels and their surroundings.
Brain Curriculum
The brain is the control centre for the whole body. It is possible to feel differences in cranial structures and brain tissue and how the brain reacts when it does specific tasks. If structures are restricted it may limit the person’s ability to function optimally. These classes introduce Jean-Pierre Barral’s innovative approach to supporting the healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system.
Advanced Courses
Once some of the core curriculum classes have been completed, there are many options for more specific study dependent on the interests of the practitioner. These classes include working with specific groups (children, women’s health etc) and also more advanced techniques on tissues already studied (e.g. advanced thorax, working with the spinal discs, neuroendocrine approach etc).
Keep your knowledge growing
Our Products
You can purchase books, e-books, DVDs, educational materials, merchandise and more. Visit our product page for available stock and contact us to make an order.
