Can physical therapy cause abdominal pain/cramping?!


Question: I am receiving physical therapy for weak abdominal muscles, which causes pain to run down my right leg and also my right hip is higher than my left.

The past two times my physical therapist was pushing into my muscle in my upper right abdominal which felt like it caused my to have more frequent urges to have a bowel movement and also felt like I was sore or had cramping I all over my abdomen, but mostly in the lower area. Is this normal? Has this ever happened to anyone?

I'm 27, and have had two kids via c-section!


Answers: I am receiving physical therapy for weak abdominal muscles, which causes pain to run down my right leg and also my right hip is higher than my left.

The past two times my physical therapist was pushing into my muscle in my upper right abdominal which felt like it caused my to have more frequent urges to have a bowel movement and also felt like I was sore or had cramping I all over my abdomen, but mostly in the lower area. Is this normal? Has this ever happened to anyone?

I'm 27, and have had two kids via c-section!

First, weak abdominals has nothing to do with radiating symptoms down the leg. This is an old misconception that has no anatomical basis.

The technique he/she was doing is called an iliopsoas release technique which is supposed to help one of your hip flexors relax. In someone your age, I would find no reason to do this technique ulness you spend all day sitting in a wheelchair. However, since the technique causes one to push past the intestinal track, it can cause excitation of the bowels.

I'm not going to outright disagree with your PT...but lets just say that if you are not getting any relief, find another PT...preferrably one who is credentialed in mechanical diagnosis and therapy: http://www.mckenziemdt.org ...they won't be pushing on your abdomen at all!

As for the cramping, I would expect it to calm down in the next day or two...and please tell your therapist...he/she may need to lay off briefly.





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