Chronic abdominal pain is responsible for 10% of outpatient medical visits and is four times more common in females. Abdominal pain can be very ambiguous and many of the patients seen in Physical Therapy have had CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds with no positive findings.
Causes of Abdominal Pain
Organs can cause abdominal pain which is called visceral pain. This type of pain is common with problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn’s disease. Organ issues are typically related to inflammation. We now know that inflammation can cause adhesions or scar tissue. Scar tissue can occur in small amounts or large amounts (as in a “puckered” scar).
Large amounts of scar tissue are frequently responsible for abdominal pain. This typically occurs after surgery. Normal scar mobility after surgery is of utmost importance! This scar tissue can cause pain, constipation or diarrhea, bloating, cramping, nausea, etc. Scars mature for up to one year. Scars should look like a thin white line that moves easily in all directions. Any pain from a scar should be gone by 6 months. Nerves can get trapped in scars causing ongoing pain.
Scar Care
Important facts your doctor may not tell you about scar care:
- One week after surgery, keep the scar moist with something as simple as petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage. The old wives’ tale of drying out a wound is not correct!
- Two weeks after surgery, begin application of a silicone scar sheet (found at places like Walgreens and CVS).
- Always avoid sun exposure to the scar. Sun darkens scars.
- Scar massage should begin at least 3 weeks after surgery as long as the incision is closed. Manipulate around the scar in circles, up/down, side to side. At least 5 minutes a day for 2-6+ months.
Do not hesitate to give 1st Choice Physical Therapy a call if you have symptoms of abdominal pain, especially pain after surgery. We are here to help improve scar, tissue and organ mobility and stop your pain.
