Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 3/15/2009

Question
Victor,I am not sure if this is a chiro question but I cant find an expert to answer this.
I am 50, no health issues except for slightly elevated blood pressure.
I eat light and exercise a lor but cant lose the distended abdomen-not fat just bloated.
My message therapist suggested doing stomach vacuums-sucking it in and holding, as well as laying stomach down on a swiss ball.
This seems to help a bit as I have been able to cinch my belt in a notch, however,
my stomach muscles and or my insides feel very sore when I do this. Its almost like the feeling you get when you sprain a muscle then try to stretch it.
Why is this? Has my stomach actually been strained or stretched for all these years and is now complaining when I try to push it back to normal?
The only other thing I can find that causes this symptom is an inflammed gall bladder which I dont have,
Thanks!


Answer
Hello Bud,

This is not really a Chiropractic question, but as long as you hold me harmless, and we just have a conversation,,,,, why not?

Activity level? have you ALWAYS worked out, exercised?  Are you just starting to work out after a 5, 10, 20 year layoff?

You are 50y/o.  Male? I assume so.  Height/ weight?= overweight??

"....no health issues except for slightly elevated blood pressure...",
so you DO have health problems.

"....cant lose the distended abdomen-not fat just bloated...."
What is your height / weight?  ...  be honest:  http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm


"....my stomach muscles and or my insides feel very sore when I do this. Its almost like the feeling you get when you sprain a muscle then try to stretch it......"- in all likelihood--- your abdominal muscles.  MUSCLES and fat tissue.  not likely to be your stomach ORGAN.

"....Why is this? Has my stomach actually been strained or stretched for all these years and is now complaining when I try to push it back to normal?...." ,
has the stomach-- the organ stomach been stretched?- no, not likely.-  has 'the stomach'--- the abdomen expanded with subcutaneous fat tissue,,,, sadly-- most probably true.

".... push it back to normal?....",
'push' WHAT back to normal?
If you eat light, and your stomach organ is empty-- it takes no space,, it is like a deflated balloon.  Where are you going to push a deflated balloon?

Distended abdomen?= Liver problem = health problems, = need for blood tests, liver enzyme levels, abdominal ultrasound.

Heavy around the middle,?,,,,,, sad to say, the North American sedentary lifestyle, with the SAD- standard american diet- processed foods that BUILD the middle and do not build the muscle.

It is amazing,,, but a 500 pound man's stomach organ is not much bigger then a 200 pound man's stomach organ.  The 500 pounder just has more subcutaneous fat.

Even healthy middleaged people--- unless they have ALWAYS worked at it their whole life, have fat deposits--- men around the waist, women around the thighs.

Please do not 'kill the messenger'.

Find a certified fitness trainer, or a sports oriented chiropractor, and/or a nutritionist,,,,,,,, and unfortunately it will take time and effort to shrink that middle.

Just some observations from a chubby 52 year old (6'0, 200#) Doctor of Chiropractic himself.

I hope this answers some of the question. If you need further, do not hesitate to REcontact me at
AllExperts.com
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC.htm .



I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally,


Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email newsletter)