Abdominal pain is one of the common experiences, which people face regardless of age or gender. As a result, many people are wondering what methods can effectively alleviate this type of ailment. In the social consciousness, a common pattern of behavior has taken root: „if something hurts, just take a pill”. Nevertheless, this approach often does not eliminate the cause of pain neither does not get to the root of the problem.
What if we said that there is a effective and sustainable pain management abdomen, which does not require the use of any drugs?
Naturally, the results of such treatment depend on the specific case, but it often happens that the results of tests ordered by the doctor, such as blood count, ultrasound or gastroscopy, do not show any pathology or structural disease. In such a situation A physiotherapist and the therapy he or she uses can be of help visceral.
What are the causes of abdominal pain?
The causes of abdominal pain can be varied. This prompts many people to ask themselves questions like „What is on the left side of the abdomen down there?” or „What is on the right side of the abdomen?”. While such knowledge of the body's anatomy is valuable, diagnosing the sources of abdominal pain should be carried out by a specialist.
Potential causes include food poisoning, viral gastroenteritis, acute cholecystitis, kidney disease, severe stress or cardiovascular problems.
Abdominal pain may be underlying Gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiac, gynecological (in women) or psychogenic. It is worth noting that the location, intensity and nature of the complaints are of great importance in the diagnosis process.
How to fight abdominal pain?
In the treatment of abdominal pain, it may be necessary to use the following different methods, such as pharmacotherapy (e.g., painkillers, anti-inflammatory or diastolic drugs), change in eating habits, use of herbal infusions (e.g., from chamomile), undergoing surgery (e.g., in cases of appendicitis) or use of psychological assistance (Especially if the abdominal pain is related to the patient's psyche).
The doctor's role is to put proper diagnosis. If the history and examinations performed by the doctor (such as blood and urine analysis, abdominal ultrasound, gastroscopy, colonoscopy) do not show any problems or structural changes, then visit to a physiotherapist and undertaking visceral therapy may be the best answer.
Visceral therapy in a physiotherapy office
Visceral therapy, performed in a physiotherapist's office, is sometimes referred to as „abdominal massage,” but such a classification is too superficial and does not reflect the true essence of this form of therapy, which in many cases effectively and permanently eliminates abdominal pain. To more fully understand its mechanism of action, it is worth taking a closer look at visceral structures in the human body.
The abdominal cavity contains a number of structures that surround the internal organs. One of these structures is hepatoduodenal ligament, through which various elements pass, such as the common bile duct, portal vein, hepatic artery proper, numerous lymphatic vessels and the sympathetic plexus, the nerve plexus innervating most of the human body. In patients complaining of abdominal pain, tension is often seen in this very hepato-duodenal ligament. This is just an example of one structure that can affect pain complaints.
In therapy, it is always important to treat the internal organs and the fascia surrounding them as one.
An interesting aspect is that complaints resulting from a strained structure can also occur after consuming fatty foods. The compression of the hepatoduodenal ligament results in the closure of the bile duct, which connects the gallbladder to the duodenum, responsible for digesting fats. Therefore, abdominal pain after eating fatty food is not always the result of indigestion, but may be the result of strained internal structures of the body.
During visceral therapy, the physical therapist, by relaxing the hepatoduodenal ligament, not only frees the bile duct and improves the digestive process, but also unblocks the diaphragm, improves chest movement, and even increases the inspiratory capacity of the lungs. Thus, the relaxation of one structure brings global therapeutic effect, involving not only the digestive system, but also the respiratory system.
Visceral therapy has applications in relaxing tense internal structures of the abdominal cavity. Its scope is wide, helping to treat abdominal pain, Menstruation-related complaints and gallbladder problems. In addition, it supports liver function, regulates metabolism, intestinal peristalsis, and supports the proper functioning of the digestive system and internal organs.
Importantly, the global impact of visceral therapy also manifests itself in dealing with lymphatic stasis and improving venous blood outflow, which translates into beneficial effects on the health of the entire body.
How does a physiotherapist treat abdominal pain?
Some patients who come to our office on the recommendation of other specialists are amazed fact Physiotherapist can help relieve abdominal pain. However, it is worthwhile to understand precisely the scope of our activities: we do not interfere with internal organs, or rather focus on the structures surrounding them. Therefore, if we can help improve the mobility of the ligaments in the knee, why wouldn't we be just as effective in loosening the hepato-duodenal ligament or other visceral structures?
W Profizjoclinic we always carry out comprehensive diagnostics, using any available imaging studies provided by the patient. During the first visit, we conduct thorough interview and analyze the results of the study. A detailed examination and identification of the complaint are key to precisely localizing the source of abdominal pain. To this end, we use palpation, a diagnostic technique that involves touching and tapping specific internal structures.
Through palpation, we can locate the patient's stomach and its pyloric region, and then move toward the duodenum and liver to look for a strained structure, such as the hepatoduodenal ligament. If the patient feels discomfort when the fingers are pressed, the physiotherapist proceeds to visceral therapy, in order to relax the tense structure. If there is no abdominal discomfort, the physiotherapist continues the examination, looking for the source of the pain, such as in the tight spinal muscles in the area innervating the viscera.
Why does a physiotherapist perform abdominal palpation?
Each of our organs is adjacent to many structures. An example is the hepatoduodenal ligament. This is one of many ligaments in the abdominal cavity, where the human viscera are suspended from various ligaments, but the source of pain may be in another area as well. The task of the physiotherapist is precisely locate and diagnose problem, followed by selection and adjustment appropriate manual techniques. There are many different techniques, but solving a problem always requires global and comprehensive An approach that includes a variety of methods. The final decision always depends on the physiotherapist after diagnosis.
Patient should not self-diagnose based on information found on the Internet, but take the help of experienced professionals.
As a result, if the physiotherapist identifies the source of the pain and loosens the strained ligament, the therapeutic effect should be permanent, and the internal structure should not tighten again, which will bring relief to the patient.
It is worth noting that in each patient the internal organs are slightly differently arranged. In addition, they undergo constant and subtle movements known as motility. For example, everyone's stomach gently rotates to the right and returns to its place, and the kidneys move up and down. Visceral structures are therefore on the move, which makes visceral therapy should be preceded by a palpation examination, to accurately and correctly locate strained structures and restore physiological tension if dysfunction is detected.
At Profizjoclinic, each palpation examination begins with a pulse measurement at the radial artery and iliac fossa. This is referred to as safety test, which is crucial: if the heart rate is regular, the work of the physiotherapist is safe. On the other hand, an irregular pulse or pulsation may indicate an arterial disorder, which may indicate an aneurysm. In the case of abdominal aortic aneurysm, visceral therapy is a an absolute contraindication, and it is necessary to immediately remove it surgically to protect health and life.
Get rid of abdominal pain without drugs and regain a peaceful life!
The basis of effective treatment any ailments is accurate identification Their source. This is the only way to elimination of the root cause i return to a life without pain. We understand the difficulties faced by people experiencing intractable and intense abdominal pain. Accordingly, every patient who comes to the our physiotherapy office in Wroclaw, receives comprehensive and complete assistance and professional care From experienced specialists. We are people who fully understand the challenges posed by our patients, taking every possible measure to restore their satisfaction, improve quality of life and provide comfort. Visceral therapy is one of the tools that effectively supports our assistance. We invite you to learn more about the full range of skills of our physiotherapists. Learn more about physiotherapy at Profizjoclinic!