Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't see the answers you are looking for here, please let me know and I'll be happy to provide the answer for you.
Does manual therapy really work for abdominal adhesions?
Without a doubt, it does. Adhesions regularly occur throughout the entire body and while releasing them is greatly influenced by your state of mind, your level of hydration, and several other factors, manual therapy is made for this work. You can expect good results.
Will the treatment last?
Yes. Once adhesion is released, it takes very few sessions to maintain the change. However, if the area is re-injured, if you are a true-blue couch potato, or if you have to undergo another surgical procedure, there is a much greater liklihood that the adhesion will reform. Even in those cases, though, it rarely readheres to the same degree.
How will I know if it's working?
Decreased pain and increased mobility are the strongest indicators that treatment is working. However, it can take some time for you to feel the results. Often, if you are not feeling better, that doesn't mean you aren't getting better. Your therapist will be able to tell you whether the tissue is beginning to change or not. If you are not experiencing at least moderate change by your fifth or sixth session, that specific therapy or that specific therapist is probably not for you. As I mentioned on the treatment page, there are a number of therapists in different modalities working in this field, so don't give up.
How long will it take to start working?
Usually treatment starts to have a significant effect around the fifth or sixth session at the latest. Some people feel a huge difference after one or two treatments, for some it takes more. Treatment time is always influenced by how long you have been suffering from the adhesions, how much medication you are taking, your level of hydration and activity, frequency of treatment, and many other things.
What if I have already had one or more surgeries?
Surgery almost always complicates treatment a little bit, but that doesn't disqualify you in any way! Whether you have had no surgery or seven surgeries, it is worth receiving this type of care.
Does the treatment hurt?
While treatment is not usually painful, it is sometimes uncomfortable for short periods of time during the session. Resolving adhesions is a lot like removing a bandaid. The two surfaces are stuck together and have to be worked apart - that can be uncomfortable. However, most people feel that the relief which follows the session far outweighs the temporary discomfort of the work. It is important to note that treatment should not be excruciatingly painful. If it is, either this type of work or the person you are working with is not the right fit.
What do I do if the treatment doesn't work?
Don't give up! If five or six sessions doesn't provide any kind of relief, you should consult another professional. Each variety of abdominal massage is a bit different and one may succeed where the other does not. Also, a good practitioner should be able to refer you to other excellent resources in your community, including acupuncturists, chiropractors, and other manual therapists.
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