Childhood Surgery and Trauma

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What is childhood surgery and trauma?

Surgery can create problems for children and young adults as the body attempts to grow around tissues that become adhered as a result of early surgery. Untreated, these problems can persist or become worse in adulthood, affecting the body for a lifetime. Severe trauma and/or surgical repair can cause scarring and adhesions to form in children, leading to pain and limiting their quality of life.

Common Related Conditions (not all will be clickable)

Chronic Abdominal Pain

Post-Surgical Adhesions

Scar Tissue–Related Pain or Restriction

Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse)

Dysmenorrhea (Painful Menstruation)

Endometriosis-Related Pain

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)–Like Symptoms

Small Bowel Obstruction (Adhesion-Related)

Chronic Pain Syndromes

Causes of childhood surgery and trauma

It is not uncommon for infants and children to undergo surgery as a result of the repair of a congenital disorder, trauma, or disease. As the body recovers from the surgery, it creates internal scars and adhesions as part of the healing process.

Ideally, the scar will grow and expand with the rest of the body as the child grows, but this does not always happen. When tightly-bound scars or adhesions persist and fail to expand fully as the body around it grows, they can create problems that can last a lifetime.

A childhood surgery can cause severe scarring and adhesions in delicate tissues. We have treated this condition in the intestines when digestion becomes compromised or life-threatening in the case of bowel obstructions. We have also treated adhered joints that were causing pain or that showed decreased range of motion. Our therapy has been quite successful in cases of adhesions after partial or total removal of organs and in cases of severe trauma. In all of these cases, adhesions tend to bind the structures in straitjackets with a strength of nearly 2,000 pounds per square inch (140 kilograms per square centimeter), restricting their mobility and function and often causing pain.

Symptoms of childhood surgery and trauma

Chronic or recurring pain (abdominal, pelvic, back, or musculoskeletal)
Pain, pulling, or tightness near old surgical or injury sites
Restricted movement or stiffness in muscles or joints
Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, abdominal discomfort)
Pelvic pain or pressure
Painful menstruation or changes in menstrual flow
Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
Urinary symptoms (urgency, frequency, discomfort)
Fatigue related to ongoing discomfort
Numbness, tingling, or altered sensation near scars
Hypersensitivity around scars or affected areas
Radiating or referred pain
Tight, immobile, or sensitive scars
Internal adhesions causing tension or restriction
Pain with stretching, exercise, or physical activity
Poor posture or compensatory movement patterns
Heightened stress response or increased pain sensitivity
Anxiety or emotional distress related to pain or medical experiences
Sleep disturbances
Symptoms that appear or worsen years after the original surgery or trauma

Treatment for childhood surgery and trauma

Clear Passage® Therapists have been treating the adhesions that form in infants and children for over three decades. In our focus on adhesions, we have treated several thousand patients since that time.

We use our hands to slowly peel apart adhered tissues, always working within the patient’s comfort and tolerance levels. We gently break apart the hundreds of tiny strands that comprise adhesions – powerful bonds in the complex network of the patient’s body – that are causing pain, tightness, or dysfunction. Most of our post-surgical patients find that our therapy restores mobility that has not existed in their bodies for years – or ever, in the case of early surgery.

We also understand the need to treat children and adults in a ‘safe place’. We provide an atmosphere with the utmost emphasis on dignity and sensitivity. While our work is physical, we also understand the psychological issues that can naturally accompany pain, dysfunction, or simply the idea that the patient feels different from everyone else. We are happy to consult and work with a patient’s physician or counselor before, during, or after therapy.

Other Treatment Options (Surgery, Drugs):

Pain medication can be useful to reduce the severity of symptoms; however, it is a temporary fix as the medication is a mask for the symptoms; it doesn’t address the cause of the problem.
Physicians generally envision surgery as a last option. Surgery poses the risk of additional formation of adhesions, creating more pain and more dysfunction for the patient in future years.
If your pain is severe and will not go away, or if you have any of the symptoms below, consult your primary care physician as quickly as possible.

Bloody stools
Painful urination
Blood in the urine
Severe pain that lasts several days
Heartburn that doesn’t get better with OTC drugs

Condition Specific Disclaimer:

Clear Passage® Therapy® is a non-surgical, manual physical therapy approach designed to help reduce restrictions in soft tissue and improve mobility. It is not a medical procedure and does not diagnose or cure disease. Results vary from person to person, and not all individuals will experience the same outcomes. Clear Passage® Therapy is not intended to replace medical care, surgery, or treatments recommended by a licensed physician. Individuals with pain or problems related to childhood surgery or trauma should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate course of care. Any information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Testimonials:

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