How do You Recognize Adhesions in Your Body?
By Jackie
Adhesions can be extremely difficult for a doctor to diagnose because adhesions are frequently microscopic and within organs and tissues – meaning they do not show-up on diagnostic tests. Doctors commonly need to directly visualize adhesions during surgery to make a definitive diagnosis. However, surgery itself can cause more adhesions to form.
Is there a way to recognize adhesions without going through risky procedures? Based on 20 years of clinical experience, CPT physical therapists say yes. Through years of training, CPT therapists can recognize adhesions by feeling and examining a patient’s body. They know what proper organ and tissue structure and mobility feel like and can quickly ascertain if adhesions are present. CPT therapists can also examine a patient’s posture to see if any imbalances or chronic poor posture patterns exist that commonly signal adhesion formation. Once adhesive patterns are found, CPT therapists work slowly and meticulously to break-apart the adhesions.
How can you recognize adhesions if you do not have the opportunity to be examined by a CPT therapist? Below are some clues that adhesions have formed in your body:
- Pain. If you experience any chronic or recurring pain, it is a sign that adhesions have formed. This includes back pain after a car accident or severe menstrual cramps.
- Dysfunction. If your body isn’t functioning as it once did, it is a sign that adhesions may have formed. Are you currently experiencing female infertility? Do you regularly experience incontinence? Or maybe you suddenly have more digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea? Many of these dysfunctions are commonly attributed to “aging,” but are actually due to adhesions.
- Tension. Areas of tension or tightness in your body signal that adhesions have formed. Adhesions can anchor previously mobile tissues and structures, creating an uncomfortable pulling sensation.
- Imbalance. Try looking at your shoulders in the mirror. Is one shoulder higher than the other? Or how about your hips? When you lie down, does one foot extend farther than the other? Imbalances in the body can be signs that adhesions have formed and are pulling on one part of the body.
- Previous Adhesion-Forming Events. The following common events frequently lead to adhesion formation:
- Chronic Poor Postures (sitting at a computer with a hunched back)
- Infection (Yeast, bladder, etc.)
- Inflammation (Endometriosis, PID, etc.)
- Radiation Therapy
- Surgery
- Trauma (Abuse, car accident, etc.)
If you suspect you have adhesions and would like to learn more about our treatment, please visit our adhesions page.
Tags: adhesions
