“Hands-on” physical therapy that feels like a deep massage shows promise for preventing life-threatening bowel obstructions.
February 28, 2017 – Over one hundred thousand Americans have surgery, and thousands die each year due to small bowel obstructions (SBO). In this condition, internal scars called adhesions can block the passage of food through the intestines. The condition can quickly escalate to a life-threatening status, requiring emergency surgery to save the patient’s life.
That fear has become greatly reduced for many patients thanks to a new non-surgical therapy now offered in conjunction with the St. Louis-based group Specialists in Gastroenterology (SIG). The treatment, which is described as feeling like a deep massage, has shown success at reducing or eliminating recurring bowel obstructions – and is now available in The Gateway City.
“Abdominal adhesions from a prior surgery, trauma, or infection can slow or stop the natural movement of food through the digestive tract,” said SIG President Leonard Weinstock, MD. “By addressing the adhesions non-surgically, this manual physical therapy has achieved significant improvements for many patients who live in fear of another obstruction or have problems such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).”
The fact that the surgery that saves patients’ lives often causes more adhesions – and more obstructions – has been an ongoing challenge for the medical community. Patients can find themselves in a recurring cycle of adhesions-obstruction-surgery, with no end in sight.
Until now, physicians have had no conservative options to prevent future obstructions or frequent pain from adhesions. Patients report being afraid to travel far from their medical team or to eat a normal diet, for fear of having another obstruction.
The all-natural therapy, called the Clear Passage® ApproachSM, is supported by published studies. It has been cited in over a dozen peer-reviewed medical journals, available via PubMed and the National Library of Medicine.
In St. Louis, the therapy is provided by Sharon Hepburn, PT, who has 20 years of manual therapy experience. “It’s an honor to work with SIG, a renowned group of gastrointestinal experts, to help our patients regain quality of life.”
Clear Passage® Physical Therapy has focused on reducing adhesions without surgery for over 25 years. The therapy, which can be completed in as little as five days, is available at locations in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
“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.”