Nervous System First: Why Visceral Restrictions May Be Holding You Back in Strength, Performance, and Pain Relief

By Dr. Meghan Helwig, PT | Primal Strength Physical Therapy – Fort Collins, CO

If you’ve been foam rolling, stretching, and strengthening but still feel like your strength or mobility just isn’t translating the way it should… it’s time to look deeper. Literally.

As a physical therapist who specializes in a nervous system-first approach, I work with athletes, active adults, and golfers in Fort Collins, CO who are dealing with pain that doesn’t make sense — and performance plateaus that shouldn’t be there.

In many of these cases, the problem isn’t in the muscles or joints. It’s in the organs — and the way your nervous system is responding to them.

What Is a “Nervous System First” Approach to PT?

Most traditional orthopedic physical therapy focuses on joints, muscles, and movement patterns. That’s important — but often incomplete.

After nearly 15 years of practicing in New Jersey and San Diego, I began to shift how I treated the body. I realized many chronic issues didn’t fully resolve until we addressed the nervous system’s protective patterns — patterns that can be driven by things like:

  • Visceral restrictions (organ mobility & fascial tension)
  • Scar tissue from old surgeries or injuries
  • Breathing and pressure system dysfunction
  • Emotional and nervous system imprints

Now based in Fort Collins, Colorado, I work with clients using a nervous system-first lens — clearing the hidden blocks so the brain no longer needs to guard or inhibit movement. When that happens, true strength and mobility can return.

Visceral Restrictions: The Missing Link in Chronic Pain and Poor Performance

Your organs — liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs — are suspended and supported by connective tissue called visceral fascia. These tissues are supposed to glide freely as you move and breathe.

But things like:

  • Digestive issues
  • Past surgeries (C-sections, hernia repairs, laparoscopies, breast augmentation)
  • Chronic stress or trauma
  • Poor posture or sedentary habits

…can create restrictions in this tissue. When that happens, your brain senses a potential threat and may down-regulate nearby muscles to protect the area. This can cause what’s known as viscerosomatic inhibition — a quiet but powerful nervous system response that limits strength and alters movement.

Common signs of visceral inhibition:

  • A strong side vs. a weak side — without any injury
  • Glutes or core that “won’t activate,” even when trained
  • Shoulder or low back tightness that keeps coming back
  • Rotational limitations in golf, throwing, or even yoga
  • Pain that jumps or doesn’t follow a classic orthopedic pattern

As Seen in Golfers: A Real-World Example

Dr. Martin Zandveld recently wrote an excellent article on how this exact phenomenon shows up in golfers. He explains:

“The nervous system may inhibit surrounding musculature to protect a distressed visceral organ, impairing performance and increasing injury risk.”

I see this often in my work with golfers — powerful, well-trained athletes who:

  • Can’t rotate like they used to
  • Lose power in their swing
  • Feel like their core strength doesn’t show up when it matters

Once we address visceral mobility and the nervous system’s hierarchy, movement cleans up. Power comes back. And persistent pain finally resolves.

How I Work with Clients at Primal Strength PT – Fort Collins

I take a whole-body, root-cause-driven approach to physical therapy. That means:

  • A thorough assessment of your nervous system, scars, breath mechanics, and visceral mobility
  • Hands-on treatment to restore movement where your body has been protecting
  • Education, movement integration, and tools to keep it from coming back

Whether you’re a CrossFit athlete, weekend golfer, outdoor enthusiast, or just want to feel strong in your body again — this work is for you.

Curious if Visceral Work Could Help You?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • ✅ Do you have old abdominal surgeries, GI issues, or chronic bloating?
  • ✅ Is one side of your body always tighter or weaker?
  • ✅ Have you hit a plateau in strength or rehab that you can’t explain?
  • ✅ Do you feel “disconnected” from your core, hips, or shoulders?

If yes, your nervous system may be holding the brake — not your muscles.

Ready to Get to the Root Cause?

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, stuck performance, or you’re just tired of chasing symptoms — I’d love to help.

I’m now accepting new clients in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado for one-on-one, holistic physical therapy with a nervous system-first approach.

Sessions are hands-on, individualized, and focused on getting to the root of the issue — not just managing symptoms.

You don’t need more strength. You need to remove the interference so your strength can finally show up.

—

Dr. Meghan Helwig, PT
Founder, Primal Strength Physical Therapy
📍 Fort Collins, CO
🔗 primalstrengthpt.com
📧 [email protected]
📲 @primalstrengthdoc on Instagram

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