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Abdominal Adhensions

Abdominal Pain & Dysfunction

Abdominal adhesions have been implicated as causing infertility, intestinal obstruction, and chronic abdominopelvic pain. Data suggests that 67% to 93% of patients will develop abdominal adhesions following open abdominal surgery.

Formation of abdominal adhesions occurs after trauma to the tissues, and is caused by an inflammatory response due to tissue damage. As the body's tissues heal and abdominal adhesions are formed, the tissues begin to shrink, resulting in restricted movement of the area. This in turn creates more mechanical irritation, perpetuating the cycle of abdominal adhesion formation. Abdominal adhesions tend to persist long after the original trauma has healed. They may attach to organs, nerves, muscles, and other neighboring structures, causing pain and/or decreasing function. Abdominal adhesions usually form after surgery, inflammation, trauma or radiation therapy treatment.

Many people experience decreased function or increased tightness after an injury, surgery, or infection. Like scars that form on the skin, abdominal adhesions create “internal scars.” These may become painful or inhibit proper function by adhering tissues and organs that are designed to move freely. When abdominal adhesions form near the intestines or digestive tract, digestive problems, constipation, or abdominal pain may result. Abdominal adhesions can contribute to irritable bowel syndrome, or cause total blockage of the intestines. Since the patient cannot eat or eliminate food, this is considered a life-threatening condition.

Surgeries are a major cause of abdominal adhesions and scarring. Some surgeries that may cause abdominal adhesions or scars to form in and around organs include:

Abdominal adhesions may cause problems near sites of former surgery, inflammation, or trauma.

Abdominal adhesions may cause problems
near sites of former surgery, inflammation, or trauma.

Inflammation or infections often cause abdominal adhesions. Some that may cause abdominal adhesions include:

Adhesion-causing traumas include falls, accidents, or physical or sexual abuse. Radiation therapy can cause significant abdominal adhesions to form at or near the sites of cancer treatment. Inflammation following trauma or radiation therapy may cause abdominal adhesions to spread to neighboring organs unless they are removed or diminished by a surgeon, or a therapist trained to treat them. Symptoms sometimes appear far from the site of the original trauma.

We have helped many people who suffer from abdominal adhesions and pain. Our directors spent years studying techniques and developing protocols to restore patients' bodies to a state of balance, harmony, and increased function. Our treatment sessions are individualized and last approximately one hour based on individual needs. Treatment is one-on-one, and is in private treatment rooms. From your first visit, we use a "hands-on" approach to treat your symptoms. For more detailed information on treatment, visit our “ what treatment is like ” webpage.