2787 / POST-PARTUM SUPPORT

There are four muscles that combine to form the abdominal wall. They can be tensed to break the force of a blow and thus protect the abdominal organs. Individually these muscles are not particularly strong – each able to lift about only 20 pounds – but because of their structural layout, with their fibers running in four different directions, as a group they are very strong, able to lift about 150 pounds of weight. Abdominal strain refers to any tear, stretch or rupture of these muscles, usually caused by sudden twisting or fast movement, lifting heavy objects, or even laughing, coughing or sneezing. Abdominal strain can be treated with hot or cold therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and an abdominal binder, along with rest and exercise as directed by the physician.

A hernia is a protrusion of an abdominal organ through a natural body opening, which are the umbilicus or navel; the inguinal rings (right and left), located immediately above the groin; and the femoral rings, located in the upper thigh area of each leg. Causes of hernia can include chronic and/or violent coughing, traumatic injuries to the outside of the abdomen, excessive strain on lifting orany strenuous muscular activity that is not premeditated. Pregnancy can also be a cause. While the treatment of choice for a hernia is surgical repair, there are patients for whom surgery is contra-indicated. In these cases a well-fitted hernia support or truss becomes the accepted means of treatment.

The chief injuries to the ribs are contusions, fractures and dislocations. Contusions and fractures can be caused by direct or indirect violence. An example of direct violence would be a crushing injury, a blow or a fall. Indirect violence is produced by muscular action, and can be the result of excessive coughing or sneezing. One or more ribs can be fractured and multiple fractures can occur in a single rib. A piece of rib at the fracture site can be as sharp as a knife and produce any of the complications of an actual penetrating wound to the chest. Symptoms of rib fractures or contusions are pain the chest, difficulty in taking a deep breath and tenderness upon palpation. A rib fracture support – or rib belt – supplies compression to the rib cage. The conditions where a rib belt is of value are those where deep breathing, laughing, coughing or abdominal straining causes pain in the chest.