Abdominal Protection: What is it?

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The Abdominal Guard is a defense mechanism of the body that involves tensing the muscles found in the abdominal area. This tensioning action is a means of protecting the internal organs from any perceived threat of damage. The guarding process can occur as part of preparing the body for fight or flight when danger is considered imminent, as well as when the internal organs are inflamed in some way and need to be protected from external pressure.

The abdominal protective wall muscles are designed to respond quickly when there is a sense of danger to the midsection of the body. For example, this reflex action will automatically trigger if the individual believes they are about to receive a blow to the torso. The idea behind this type of abdominal protective action is to allow the muscles to absorb the shock of the blow, while leaving the vulnerable organs within the abdominal cavity relatively unaffected.

While abdominal protection often occurs as a means of protecting internal organs from injury in some way, this mechanism also serves to protect those same organs in the event that there is some type of infection or disease present in those organs. For example, the abdominal muscles would tense if the appendix is ​​inflamed and swollen, in an attempt to prevent an external movement or force from hastening the rupture of that organ. At the same time, the protection also helps minimize the chances of more pain developing, due to external pressures.

Doctors are well aware of the phenomenon of abdominal guard. When examining a patient experiencing midsection pain, he will be aware of tense and sometimes spasmodic activity of the abdominal muscles. Depending on the severity of the tension, medications may need to be given to help the muscles relax before the patient can be further examined. However, some patients find that the reality of being examined by a caregiver helps the mind to relax and, in turn, has a calming influence on the activity of the abdominal muscles as well.

It is important to note that all humans experience abdominal protection. While it may be more noticeable in someone with well-developed abdominal muscles, the action also plays out among people who are carrying extra weight around their core. Qualified doctors can easily identify the protecting abdominal pain on any body type, assess the degree of tension, and take appropriate measures to relax the muscles during the progress of the examination.

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