Hernia Awareness Month

June iѕ Nаtiоnаl Hernia Awаrеnеѕѕ Month. A hernia occurs when part of an organ is pushed through a tear in the tissue that protects it. Hernias are most common in the area between a patient’s abdomen and groin and can cause a great deal of pain in children and adults alike. If you are suffering from hernia pain, our team at Movement Concepts Physical Therapy in Garden City is here to help.

Cаuѕеѕ Of a Hernia

A hernia is the result of excess pressure on the abdomen. This pressure can cause the abdomen to create a small tear in the muscle that can become larger if the pressure persists. This pressure can build as a result of childbirth, the repeated lifting of heavy objects, or even repeated sneezing and coughing. Other factors that can play a role by weakening muscle groups are:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• A non-nutritional diet

Sуmрtоmѕ Of A Hernia

The most common symptom of a hernia is the presence of an unsightly lump in the affected area.

Other common symptoms of a hernia include:

• Mild to severe pain in the affected area, especially while bending over, coughing, or lifting heavy objects
• Feelings of weakness or increased pressure in the surrounding muscles
• A burning sensation at the site of the exposed organ

They have also been known to cause acid reflux, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing in some cases. That being said, there have also been cases in which hernias present with no symptoms at all– you may not even know you have one until you show up for your next physical. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above and are unsure of what to do next, Movement Concepts Physical Therapy in Garden City can give you our expert analysis and provide you with treatment options.

How a physical therapist can help

Stretching– our physical therapists will recommend doing a variety of stretching exercises designed to get your damaged muscles back in pre-hernia shape. They will primarily be geared towards your hip, groin, and lower back regions.

Manual therapy– Our physical therapists can perform joint manipulation, soft-tissue therapy, massage therapy, and more to help reduce pain and improve mobilization within your muscles and joints.

Muscle retraining– Our physical therapists will focus on retraining the muscles affected by your hernia through a combination of manual and hands-off therapeutic techniques. This will help to strengthen the muscles and improve their functionality for the future.

With June being National Hernia Awareness Month, our team at Movement Concepts Physical Therapy in Garden City want to urge all those suffering from hernia pain to contact us today for the help they need.