Manual Therapy for the Abdominal Wall

Tina Allen, PT, PRPC has been a physical therapist since 1993 and has specialized exclusively in pelvic health in all genders and throughout the patient's life span for the past 28 years. She works at the University of Washington Medical Center in a multidisciplinary Pelvic Health Clinic where she collaborates with physicians to optimize patient recovery.

Manual Therapy for the Abdominal Wall instructs participants on manual myofascial techniques that can be utilized to assist with the treatment of abdominal scars, endometriosis, IC/PBS, and abdominal wall restrictions that impact pelvic girdle dysfunction. The abdominal wall plays an intricate role in our general movement, digestion, continence, and support.

Scar tissue limits range of motion and can perpetuate pain and dysfunctional movement. Myofascial techniques can loosen and break up scar tissue to restore normal function. This manual therapy should be performed in a slow and precise manner that can stimulate the nervous system and can be used to effectively treat several conditions including trauma, inflammatory responses, post-surgical procedures, and postural conditions.

The abdominal wall needs to allow for mobility of our organs and stability of our trunk. The superficial and deep fascial of the abdominal wall have direct connections to the pelvic floor fascia. They contribute to supportive dysfunction and myofascial restriction of the perineum with pelvic pain. Lumbar nerves travel through the abdominal wall, have sensory innervation in the perineum, and can be a source of testicular, labial, clitoral and scrotal pain. By addressing the abdominal wall with manual therapy techniques, we can further our patients' recovery.

In the upcoming 5-hour short format remote course, Manual Therapy for the Abdominal Wall, we will discuss: general myofascial interventions, the anatomy of the abdominal wall (including fascial and nerve connections with the pelvic floor), evaluation/assessment techniques of the abdominal wall, and via video and discussion we will cover techniques utilized in treating the abdominal wall myofascial tissues. Further discussion will include case studies and how we can apply these same techniques to the perineum.