Abdominal Pain as an Unusual Referral to Physical Therapy: A Case Report

Details
Title
Abdominal Pain as an Unusual Referral to Physical Therapy: A Case Report
Type
Thesis
Created
2018-04-01T00:00:00Z
Abstract
Background and Purpose: While gastrointestinal origins are the most common cause of moderate abdominal pain, it is estimated that 20% of cases may be caused by dysfunction in structures of the abdominal walls as opposed to being from visceral-related causes. Physical therapists are trained to address musculoskeletal and neural dysfunction, as well as to screen for more systemic causes, that may warrant patient referral back to the physician. Increasing clinical awareness of these musculoskeletal origins, that may be treated by conservative physical therapy, may help patients receive non-invasive treatment with minimal pharmaceutical intake. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the efficiency of non-invasive physical therapy interventions to improve functional movements and decrease pain and other symptoms in a 35-year-old female with complaints of abdominal pain. Case Description: The patient was a 35-year-old female complaining of abdominal pain of unknown origin. After evaluating the patient, conservative physical therapy techniques were utilized, including thoracic spine joint mobilizations, neural mobilization, therapeutic exercises and addressing the neurophysiology and neurobiology of chronic pain with the patient. Outcomes: The Oswestry disability index was administered to the patient to track her progress throughout her treatment. Sitting times were recorded throughout sessions, and subjective reports were taken regarding the ability of the patient to carry out functional activities. By the end of treatment, the patient was able to participate in her work activities and perform all functional activities with minimum to no onset of abdominal symptoms, despite not having a significant change in the outcome measure results. Discussion: Given the array of differential diagnoses for abdominal and thoracic pain coming from neural and musculoskeletal origins, it is imperative that clinical awareness of these musculoskeletal origins be made to clinicians. This case report suggests that patients with abdominal symptoms that have been cleared of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular origins should be considered for physical therapy referrals.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1961/muislandora:3998
Usage & Reproduction Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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