Overview
Adhesions are bands of internal scar tissue that form when the body heals after surgery, injury, infection, or inflammation. These fibrous tissues can cause normally separate organs or tissues to stick together, limiting their natural movement and function. Adhesions may develop anywhere in the body, but are most common in the abdomen and pelvis. While some adhesions cause no symptoms, others can lead to chronic pain, restricted mobility, digestive or reproductive problems, and organ dysfunction.
Adhesions form as part of the body’s natural healing response to tissue damage, inflammation, or irritation. When the protective lining of organs is disrupted, fibrous scar tissue can develop and bind tissues together.
Common causes include:
- Surgery (especially abdominal or pelvic surgery such as C-sections, hysterectomy, myomectomy, or bowel surgery)
- Infection (pelvic inflammatory disease, appendicitis, peritonitis)
- Inflammation (endometriosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Trauma or injury to internal tissues
- Radiation therapy
- Internal bleeding following surgery or injury
Adhesions can develop weeks, months, or even years after the original event and may progress over time. Not all adhesions cause symptoms, but when they restrict organ movement or involve nerves, they can lead to pain and functional problems.
Why Choose Clear Passage®
We know adhesions well. We faced this situation 30 years ago when the director of Clear Passage®, physical therapist Belinda Wurn, developed severe adhesions after pelvic surgery and radiation therapy to her abdomen. Unable to work due to the pain, and having seen the devastating and debilitating effects of adhesions in her own patients, she was determined to find a non-surgical way to decrease or eliminate adhesions.
Common Symptoms
- Chronic or recurring abdominal or pelvic pain
- Cramping or pressure in the abdomen or pelvis
- Pain that worsens with movement, stretching, or activity
- Restricted tissue or organ mobility
- Bloating or abdominal distension
- Digestive changes, such as constipation or diarrhea
- Painful bowel movements
- Menstrual abnormalities (light periods, absent periods, or increased pain)
- Pelvic discomfort during menstruation
- Pain during or after intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Pregnancy complications or recurrent miscarriage (more specific to Asherman’s syndrome)
- Fatigue associated with chronic pain
- Blocked fallopian tubes/Hydrosalpinx
Symptoms vary by individual, and not all people with these conditions experience noticeable symptoms. Evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
