adhesions in abdomen

Click here to download the free ebook,  Chapters Two and Three: How Adhesions Form in the Body’s Structure from “Miracle Moms.” (http://www.clearpassage.com/resources/ebook.php)

“Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain” by Larry and Belinda Wurn with Richard King, MD is available now at amazon.com (Med-Art Press). Foreword by New York Times best-selling author Christiane Northrup, MD and endorsed by physicians from Harvard, Columbia, Northwestern, and other fine professionals.

Dr. Leslie Mendoza Temple, Family Medicine Instructor, Northwestern University Medical School, and Medical Director, Integrative Medicine NorthShore University HealthSystem says, “I am excited to see that you have studied and perfected a technique to treat adhesions, with years of experience, scientific ‘backup’ and case studies to prove it. This technique makes sense: to put ‘hands on’ the problem and nurture the body’s innate desire to heal from pelvic pain, hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, infertility, and related dysfunction. Read this book if you suffer from pelvic or digestive disorders, or if you are a doctor who sees patients with these problems.” Read more reviews from top physicians, authors, and other respected professionals.

Submitted by Rosalind Joffe as part of the summer educational article series*

1.  For most people, health, like the weather, is relatively unpredictable and there’s an element of luck.  But living with chronic illness means that I face unpredictable health daily. It can change as quickly as the weather, often without warning. I find this difficult, constantly challenging and even demoralizing. But, I try very hard not to let this prevent me from delivering my best.

2.  When I have to “slow down” or not show up because of chronic illness  symptoms, it can mean that others have to pick up the pieces to keep things going.  I appreciate that this can be frustrating for you.  It is for me, also.  Let’s just make sure we discuss what I can do to prevent my illness from becoming a burden to anyone.

3.  I’m not looking for your pity or even your sympathy.  I don’t feel sorry for myself and I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, either.  But I do welcome empathy, such as, “I understand this is tough”.  And once in a while, it’s really great to hear your encouragement, such as, “You do a great job with this” (but only if you mean it.)

4.  I know it doesn’t seem to make sense, but I can feel terrible and look fine.  When most people have the flu or even just a cold, they look sick.  My symptoms, sometimes disabling, are usually invisible.  I know it’s hard for others to understand this, especially when I look the same through it all. That’s why I’m often nervous about what others believe about my health and think about me.  It might sound odd but when I hear, “You look so good!” I wonder if you think I’m exaggerating my experience.

5.  You probably think you’re being helpful when you tell me what I could do to get better.  Your Aunt Gertrude, who went into remission with that special diet or your friend, Phil, who got better when he stopped working – they’re not me.  I promise you, if I want advice, I will ask for it.  Just because I’m not healthy, it doesn’t mean I’m incapable of managing my life.  

6.  When I mention my chronic illness, please don’t “skip” over it and look away.  When you avoid the subject, it doesn’t feel polite or respectful. Instead, it feels as if you’re avoiding the topic.  The fact is, I appreciate questions that show genuine interest in my experience, such as, “What does this mean for you?”  And, I’ll try my best to be respectful of you by not overly focusing on the subject.

7.  Have you ever noticed how often people pass you in the office halls with, “How ya’ doing?” and they keep walking?  I know it’s just a greeting but when I don’t feel well, I don’t have a quick answer.  I’m still responding to the question five minutes later — -  in my head.  In fact, there are times when it’s difficult to carry on simple, normal, office banter when I don’t feel “normal” and my life doesn’t fit into a sound bite.  So if you ask, be prepared for more than you might have bargained.

8.  Healthy people can work (or play) too hard but they can catch up after pushing their bodies too far without too much wear and tear.  Part of the problem with this chronic illness, however, is that my limits can vary greatly. I can’t ever be sure how hard I can push without hurting myself. Some days, walking upstairs to the water cooler feels like I’m running the marathon. Sometimes it can take days or even weeks to feel “normal” after working a few late nights and weekends. And, yet, at other times, I can do any of this without a problem. Go figure.

9.  People in the office (particularly management) will tell me, “Take care of yourself, that’s most important”.  But how should I interpret this message when working 10 hour days/6 days a week is considered a virtue?  I want to have high standards for my performance and be respected for what I do, just like everyone else.  But, the crazy schedule that we work doesn’t allow time for doctors’ appointments or time to recoup.  I find that there’s a bit of a contradiction here.

10.  Please don’t assume that because I live with a chronic illness, I can’t do my job or take on new responsibilities.  If I say I can do something, I will.  I don’t want to be protected from work demands and I want to be held to the same high standards as everyone else.  I might have to ask for help at times.  But, that’s my responsibility.  Please don’t discount me without checking with me first.

Author: Rosalind Joffe, The Chronic Illness Career Coach, rosalind@cicoach.com  t: 617 · 969 ·1930

http://cicoach.com and blog: http://WorkingWithChronicIllness.com  

©cicoach.com llc 2009  all rights reserved

*This post was submitted by a third party as part of a summer educational article series. The comments expressed here in this post are the personal opinions of the original author, and do not necessarily state the views or opinions of Clear Passage Therapies, Inc. 

Information contained on this blog is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information on this blog for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters regarding your health, and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

By Jackie

Long before Clear Passage Therapies existed, Belinda and Larry Wurn opened a physical therapy clinic to help people with chronic pain. The Wurns helped so many patients that their clinic grew to five clinics across the state of Florida. The Wurns eventually sold their clinics and opened Clear Passage Therapies to address infertility and chronic pain.

Chronic pain remains near and dear to the hearts of the Wurns and they continue to treat patients in debilitating pain. An entire section of their upcoming book, Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain, is devoted to pain, including chapters about chronic pain, post-surgical pain, endometriosis pain, and menstrual pain.

In the chronic pain chapter, the Wurns begin the chapter with an explanation of what lead them to treat chronic pain and their initial success in this area. They also explain the foundation of their treatment: adhesions. They then share two patient stories that illustrate the importance of adhesions and treating the body as in interconnected puzzle, instead of separate parts (see An Unexpected Cause of Chronic Headaches). The Wurns then dive into specific conditions, explaining how the Wurn Technique can help. The conditions include:

• Abdominal Pain, including Rae’s story of unexplained abdominal pain. For more information about abdominal pain, you can also see Study Examines the Role Between Adhesions and Chronic Abdominal Pain
  
• Back Pain, including feedback from patients who came for treatment for infertility and surprising found their back pain was also reduced. Also see Your Mother Was Right: Stand up Straight!
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches, along with a story about Barbara who experienced severe headaches after a car accident. Also see An Unexpected Cause of Chronic Headaches.
• Myofascial Pain syndrome
• Pelvic Organ Pain, including a story by Marcella who experienced pelvic pain after a c-section
• TMJ pain
• Tailbone pain

To learn more about our upcoming book, visit our book page here. You can also sign-up for our newsletters that feature stories by former patients and share free e-chapters from the book. To learn more about our treatment for chronic pain, you can visit our chronic pain page.

By Jackie

In Western medicine today, trained medical professionals are given incredible amounts of authority. With extensive knowledge and medical training, doctors have certainly earned the right to diagnosis and treat numerous medical conditions. However, this does not give them the right to exclude you from the health care team. Countless times, we have heard men and women complain that their doctors did not care about their input or did not truly listen to them before making a diagnosis.

Just as doctors have a responsibility to create an open relationship with their patients, patients also have a responsibility to play an active role in the health care team. Larry Wurn, clinical director of Clear Passage Therapies (CPT), explains, “Sadly, patients often take their bodies to the doctor just as they would take their car to a car mechanic.” Patients quietly sit as the doctor finds what is wrong, prescribes a treatment, and sends them away “fixed.” Larry and the CPT staff feel that this unfortunate circumstance is why we see so many chronic pain patients at CPT. The cause of the pain cannot be found because doctors and patients often do not work together.

At CPT, our patients play an active role in treatment. It is not something CPT therapists do to be polite; they do it because the input of a patient is fundamental to finding the cause of pain and dysfunction and creating a successful treatment protocol.

During the initial evaluation of a patient, our therapists ask about past events and experiences known to cause adhesion formation. This information is crucial because it helps therapists understand what adhesive patterns have formed in the patient. Therapists use this information to develop an effective treatment protocol.

When a therapist begins examining the patient’s body, answers to key questions help to further shape the treatment plan. Questions such as, “Do you always stand with your right foot turned slightly inward?” or “What level of discomfort do you feel when I stretch this area?” help a therapist determine the extent of adhesion formation and how long it has been present.

Then, while treating a patient’s body, the therapists ask for feedback about what a patient feels. Often, the therapist and patient find connections in distant parts of the body. For example, a patient might experience pain in the left hip when the therapist stretches the right shoulder. This kind of information is crucial for unraveling the adhesions and tight spots that cause a patient’s “unexplained” pain.

Throughout treatment, the therapist continues to actively involve the patient by educating them about their body so that they understand and mentally partake in the healing process.

A former patient who suffered from unexplained chronic abdominal pain told us, “Every step of the way I found caring, smiling, people who listened to me and encouraged me while the therapists worked; rather WE worked together – I had to be actively involved, mind and body.” It was only through the patient and therapist working together that this patient was finally able to be free from her chronic pain.

To learn more about our treatment philosophy or treatment for chronic pain, please visit our website.

By Jackie

Whose mother hasn’t told them to stand up straight? Most mothers remind their children of proper posture so that they stand taller, breathe deeper, look stronger, and because, well, their mothers told them to do it too.

Mom’s advice does far more than make you look good; it’s pivotal to good health. Improper posture can lead to numerous problems including:

• Decreased lung capacity
• Neck pain
• Ligament stress
• Back pain
• Shoulder tightness
• Abnormal joint wear
• Increased muscle fatigue
• Constricted blood flow
• Adhesion Formation
• Chronic pain throughout the body

How does all of this happen just from poor posture? First, poor posture happens a lot more than you think. Improper posture can occur while seated at a computer, eating lunch, driving a car, walking, or even leisurely sitting. A person can go through an entire day with improper posture.

Improper posture puts unnecessary stress on ligaments and muscles in the body. This eventually leads to fatigue, soreness, pain, and inflammation. When inflammation occurs, cross-links begin to form within the muscles. These cross-links can continue to build, causing tightness, pain, and adhesions.

When your body isn’t in its natural alignment, blood vessels and nerves can become constricted – leading to decreased blood flow and fatigue. Improper posture also puts unnecessary pressure on joints and organs that weren’t designed to experience that pressure day after day.

What can you do if you experience symptoms due to improper posture? First step: change your posture! To learn how to sit properly at your computer, read our article on Seven Tips to Limit Back and Neck Pain. Second, understand that your body may not be able to naturally return to its proper alignment. Chronic poor posture can lead to adhesive patterns that prevent the ligaments and muscles from relaxing to their natural position. Clear Passage Therapists frequently see this in patients who come to the clinic for chronic neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and headaches. To learn more about our treatment for these conditions, please visit our chronic pain page.

A tailbone pushed forward can pull on the spinal cord, causing tension at the base of the skull

By Jackie

If you experience chronic headaches and are currently sitting, the answer to your problem may be directly underneath you – your tailbone.

Although you may never have thought of your tailbone and skull as connected, they are in fact united by the dura. The dura is the thick collagenous covering of the spinal cord that runs from the base of the skull all the way down to the tailbone. When a person experiences a serious trauma (such as a car accident or fall), the tailbone can be pushed forward or to one side. When it is out of its correct position, the tailbone can pull on the dura, creating tightness at the base of the skull and recurrent headaches.

Years ago, Belinda and Larry Wurn treated a patient, Michael, who was in a serious construction accident. When Michael came for treatment, he experienced chronic pain throughout his body, walked with a severe limp, and had minimal function of his hands. The Wurns enabled Michael to walk properly, regain full use of his hands, and break free from the constant pain throughout his body. However, Michael still experienced severe headaches daily.

Determined to help, the Wurns paid special attention to the tissues around Michael’s head. While tractioning his head, Larry noticed an “anchoring sensation.” Larry explained, “It felt like the tissues of his neck and at the base of his skull were anchored much further down.” After discussing his findings with Belinda, they decided to treat Michael’s tailbone. After treatment, Michael never experienced headaches again.

If you would like to learn more about how adhesions may be causing your chronic headaches, please visit our headaches page. To learn more about treatment for tailbone pain or dysfunction, please visit our tailbone page.

By Jackie

A study published in the Journal of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists examined the role of adhesions in chronic abdominal pain. 30 women who suffered from chronic pain (age 26-49) agreed to undergo laparoscopic surgery while still awake. The surgeons then palpated any adhesions they found and watched the patients to determine the degree of pain. The study found that adhesions located between two structures (such as the ovaries and the uterus) elicited the greatest amount of the pain if the adhesions still allowed minor movement between the structures. Adhesions that prevented any movement had the lowest pain scores. They also found that adhesions attached to the peritoneum elicited great amounts of pain.

This study helps explain why some women may experience intestinal and abdominal pain. If adhesions are between the intestines and still allow movement, they can elicit great pain as waste moves through. The same is true of women who experience painful menstruation. As the uterus expands, it can pull on adhesions that attach to nearby structures, causing great pain.

Please visit our chronic pain page to read more about the connection between adhesions and chronic pain.