From the Research
Yes, abdominal muscle tension and guarding can be symptoms of chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This physical manifestation occurs because PTSD involves chronic hyperarousal of the autonomic nervous system, particularly the sympathetic "fight-or-flight" response. When the body remains in this heightened state of alertness, muscles throughout the body, including those in the abdomen, can remain chronically tense as the body prepares to defend itself against perceived threats. This tension often manifests as abdominal guarding, where the muscles remain contracted to protect vital organs. Many PTSD patients report persistent stomach tightness, digestive issues, and abdominal pain related to this muscle tension.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment approaches that can help include:
- Trauma-focused psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or EMDR)
- Body-based interventions like progressive muscle relaxation, trauma-sensitive yoga, and somatic experiencing
- Physical therapy specifically targeting these muscle groups
- Medications that address the underlying hyperarousal, such as SSRIs (like sertraline 50-200mg daily or paroxetine 20-60mg daily), can indirectly help reduce muscle tension by decreasing overall PTSD symptom severity, as supported by a recent study 1.
Relationship Between PTSD and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
A recent study found that veterans with PTSD reported gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal/belly pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating/gas, and that greater PTSD severity was associated with worse constipation, diarrhea, and gas/bloating 2. Another study found that individuals with complex PTSD typically have sustained or multiple exposures to trauma, and that the disorder has a significant population prevalence 3.
Key Findings
Key findings from recent studies include:
- The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with symptomatic PTSD 2
- The relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms, PTSD severity, depression severity, and number of prior traumatic events reported 2
- The effectiveness of SSRIs in improving PTSD symptoms, with moderate-certainty evidence 1
- The potential benefits of multicomponent therapies, including self-regulatory strategies and trauma-focused interventions, in treating complex PTSD 3