Another reader has submitted a question that we wanted to share with everyone. Read on to learn about diagnosing abdominal adhesions.
Q: I am experiencing a significant amount of abdominal pain, and I think it is due to adhesions that formed after a surgery. How can I find out if I have adhesions? Do abdominal adhesions show on an MRI scan? – Edward
A: Hi Edward, this is an excellent question as adhesions can be difficult to diagnose through conventional means, often confounding both patient and physician. They do not appear on diagnostic tests such as MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan. As a result, when adhesions are suspected to be the cause of a patient’s pain or dysfunction, exploratory surgery is often used.
The surgery performed is typically a laparotomy or laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a procedure in which a camera is placed in the abdomen via a tube; this is the less invasive of the two surgical types. In an exploratory laparotomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen in order to examine the organs. The size and location of the incision vary depending on the specific concern. A surgeon will generally opt to perform a laparoscopy instead of a laparotomy when possible.
Our therapists use a different approach for identifying adhesions. The first step is always a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history, with a particular emphasis on surgeries. This information gives the therapist a significant amount of insight into potential areas of adhesion formation. Once treatment begins, the therapist palpates the body and regularly seeks the patient’s feedback about the specific areas that are tender or painful. Throughout this process, the therapist uses manual therapy techniques to decrease the bonds between adhesions and reduce their pull on pain-sensitive structures.
Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is a world leader in the non-surgical treatment of abdominal adhesions. Experience relief from invisible yet debilitating abdominal adhesions with Clear Passage® Physical Therapy’s Free Consult and Request Info – discover how their unique, non-surgical manual therapy can detect and treat adhesions that don’t show on MRI scans, potentially saving you from unnecessary exploratory surgery and providing long-lasting pain relief. To learn more, visit our Apply to Therapy page.
“If the information in this article sounds like it may relate to what you’re experiencing, the team at Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is here to help. Many people living with this condition simply want to know if there is a natural treatment option without drugs or surgery that could work for them. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. You can request more information to speak with a knowledgeable team member who will review your situation and help you understand whether this specialized therapy may be a good fit. If you’re ready to move forward, you can also apply for therapy so the clinical staff can carefully review your health history and determine the best path toward relief. Taking a few minutes to reach out could be the first step toward getting answers—and possibly getting your life back.”