Abdominal Pain -

What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal adhesion pain refers to discomfort or chronic pain caused by internal scar tissue (adhesions) that forms within and between abdominal organs or tissues after surgery, infection, inflammation, trauma, or radiation therapy.

Common Related Conditions

Bowel Obstruction or Partial Bowel Obstruction

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Post-Surgical Pain

Endometriosis

Infertility or Subfertility

Dyspareunia

Dysmenorrhea

Causes of abdominal pain

Abdominal and pelvic adhesions form when the body creates scar tissue as part of the healing process after injury, surgery, or inflammation. The most common cause is abdominal or pelvic surgery, including procedures such as C-section, hysterectomy, appendectomy, or laparoscopic surgery, where living tissue is damaged. While adhesions form fibrous bands to surround and isolate the affected tissue as the first step in healing, the adhesions create glue-like bonds that can last a lifetime wherever they form.

Adhesions may also develop as a result of infection or inflammatory conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), appendicitis, or peritonitis, as well as chronic conditions like endometriosis that cause repeated inflammation. Trauma to the abdomen or pelvis, internal bleeding, radiation therapy, or the presence of foreign materials used during surgery can further increase the risk of forming adhesions. As adhesive bonds thicken over time, they can cause ongoing inflammation or require additional surgery, exacerbating the initial problems of glue-like bonds, causing pain or dysfunction in the abdomen, pelvis, and beyond. Over time, abdominal adhesions can thicken and spread, leading to increased restriction and symptoms.

Symptoms of adhesion-related abdominal pain

Symptoms of adhesion-related abdominal pain may include:

‘Unexplained’ chronic or recurring abdominal pain
Cramping or pulling sensations in the abdomen
Pain that worsens with movement, stretching, or exercise
Bloating or abdominal distension
Digestive discomfort or irregular bowel movements
Nausea or occasional vomiting
Pain during or after eating
Episodes of partial or total bowel obstruction

Treatment for adhesion-related abdominal pain

Adhesions form anywhere in the body, including the abdomen and pelvis – the area between the ribs and the pubic bone. Like those that form elsewhere in the body, abdominal adhesions can act like an internal glue or a straitjacket, binding organs to other structures that should be able to move freely around each other. Adhesions can also constrict parts of organs or entire organs, decreasing function and sometimes causing pain.

Adhesions can slow or stop the movement of food through our digestive tract, creating a life-threatening condition called small bowel obstruction (SBO). Adhesions can trap excess bacteria sometimes found within the intestine – (SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) – eliminating or greatly decreasing the effectiveness of medications.

SBO treatment: When published studies showed we could open fallopian tubes blocked by adhesions, we began developing therapy to clear the adhesions from the larger tubes, the intestines. We have had remarkable success preventing bowel obstructions in studies authored by surgeons at highly respected medical schools. These studies are available on both our Published Studies page and our Bowel Obstruction website page.

SIBO treatment: We found we could help SIBO when physician experts in the condition came to us, asking for our help. They said, “We can treat the excess bacteria with effective medications, but if there are adhesions in the intestines, the SIBO just returns. When you decrease the adhesions while we are giving medications, the treated bacteria can finally exit the body.” They began referring patients with SIBO, and the results have generally been excellent. The combination of clearing bowel adhesions along with pharmaceutical and/or natural ingredients to stop the overgrowth turns out to be ‘just what the doctor ordered’ for many patients with chronic SIBO.

Experience – We have been treating adhesions in the body since 1987. We hand-pick each therapist based on their years of manual therapy experience, the courses each attended before we train them, their palpation, treatment, and listening skills, their focus, and compassion. Before we certify them to treat our patients, we train each extensively in the therapy we have researched and developed over the course of nearly four decades.

Safety – We have developed and tested our treatment over nearly 40 years with two goals: safety and effectiveness. Before accepting a patient into our program, we screen each applicant for contraindications to therapy. We have treated several thousand complex cases, often with concurrent overlying medical conditions. We often consult with physicians and scientists throughout the treatment process to ensure positive outcomes. Our procedures have been documented as safe and effective, tailored to each patient’s needs.

Risks – Our hands-on therapy avoids the major risks that can occur with surgery, including anesthesia, inadvertent enterotomy (unintentionally cutting into nearby organs), and the nearly inevitable risk of post-surgical adhesion formation. Initially, we avoid risks due to our thorough screening process. Beyond that, the years of training and significant palpation skills of our therapists have yielded no adverse events since we began treating patients in 1987. While some people report temporary soreness, the major side effects of therapy are generally positive, including increased function, increased range of motion, and decreased pain.

Condition Specific Disclaimer:

Clear Passage® Therapy provides a non-surgical, manual physical therapy approach intended to address restrictions and mobility limitations associated with adhesions and scar tissue. The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or a guarantee of results. Individual outcomes vary, and therapy may not be appropriate for all conditions or patients. We do not diagnose medical conditions; our work is not intended to replace evaluation or care by your physician. We are glad to work with you and your doctor to develop a plan for you that is safe and has the greatest chance for success.

Testimonials:

To read Clear Passage® Therapy patient success stories, please visit our Testimonials page.

Abdominal Pain