Persistent pain in the right shoulder may be linked to tension or congestion in the liver, transmitted by the large nerve connecting the diaphragm to the neck. An osteopathic visceral assessment to release this area could potentially relieve the shoulder.

noli's read

The anatomical link described truly exists: tension in the breathing muscle (the diaphragm), located just above the liver, can project sensitivity into the right shoulder via a common neural pathway. This referred pain phenomenon is well-documented in anatomical and clinical observational studies (such as Kehr's sign). It is fascinating to see how interconnected our body areas are, showing that digestive discomfort can resonate elsewhere. However, the idea that a slightly 'congested' or 'tense' liver in daily life (barring a major health issue) triggers this signal remains an unproven scientific hypothesis. Furthermore, the efficacy of manual abdominal manipulations (visceral osteopathy) to stimulate organs or relieve shoulder pain lacks validation. A systematic review of research (Guillaud et al., 2018) indeed indicates that rigorous evidence is lacking to support the clinical effects of these visceral techniques.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.