Navigating navel displacement with useful insights from Doctor Harish Grover

Dr Harish Grover is one of the leading edge experts in the field of physiotherapy with a cardiovascular specialization. He has a wealth of experience and a huge patient count to support his prowess in this field. Today we shall be discussing Navel Displacement with useful insights from Dr Grover himself. 

What is Navel Displacement?

 Navel displacement is also known as umbilical displacement or Nabhi Sankoch in Ayurveda. This condition is characterized by the displacement of the navel or nabhi from the normal position. This displacement can lead to several health issues and discomfort for the person experiencing it. There are a wide variety of causes, symptoms and treatment options that should be addressed while discussing Navel Displacement. 

Causes of Navel Displacement? 

Navel displacement can be elicited due to several reasons such as : 

• Congenital weakness: Several individuals are born with a certain congenital weakness in the abdominal wall which exposes them to the risk of acquiring hernias, with an umbilical hernia being one of them 
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure: Intra means within. So the increase of pressure in the abdomen can contribute significantly to the umbilical hernia and lots of factors may be responsible for it such as persistent coughing, straining during bowel etc. This increased pressure may project to a weak spot in the abdomen thus pushing the contents through this weak spot culminating in herniation 
• Age: With the advancement in age, the muscles lose their tone and tissues become more fragile thus exposing the person to the risk of acquiring a hernia 
• Previous surgery: Several abdominal surgeries such as bowel resection, adrenalectomy, laparotomy etc can contribute to navel displacement

Symptoms of Navel Displacement : 

There may be several symptoms associated with navel displacement which would also vary with the intensity and type of navel displacement but to explore a few : 

Prominent bulge: A very easily noticeable bulge or lump near the navel particularly while standing, coughing or straining 

Pain and discomfort: A shooting pain around the navel or nabhi is noticed. Again, this can be very prominent while lifting heavy objects or straining too much 

Nausea and vomiting: The hernia may consist of an obstruction if it has advanced and this may precipitate vomiting or nausea for some individuals 

Diagnosis : 

While there is no technical way of stating a diagnosis there are certain warning signs that may be indicative of Umbilical displacement. For example, the navel seems to be pointing towards a direction other than the centre. There is a prominent bulge on one side of the navel. In addition, it seems to be sunken or pulled inside. There may be an abnormal cleft between the rectus abdominis muscle. The navel is also raised above the surrounding skin. It is also surrounded by a hard lump and there may be a discharge or blessing from the navel. 

Lifestyle changes and related measures  : 

Avoid straining yourself: Try to avoid lifting heavy weights for it might exacerbate your condition, worsening it to the extent that you are left only with surgical intervention as a prospective option 

Diet: Avoid the consumption of high-fat foods, and processed junk foods because these can tip the metabolism in the wrong direction 

Exercise: Several exercises can be used to improve the condition of navel displacement. The top yoga poses for the same are bridge pose ( regulates blood pressure), cobra pose ( for stretching your abdomen, chest and shoulders ), boat pose ( for a positive effect on your thyroid gland ), fish pose and plough pose 

Treatment options and remedies : 

Watchful waiting: In many cases, small umbilical hernias may not require immediate treatment especially if they occur without any symptoms. But even then it is necessary to have it monitored by a healthcare provider to make sure that the hernia doesn’t worsen. 

Medication: Over-the-counter analgesics and pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help 

How can physiotherapy be instrumental in aiding the treatment of Navel displacement? 

Assessment and diagnosis: Physiotherapists are trained experts who conduct thorough assessments to evaluate the extent of navel Displacement and find out the root cause of the condition via several physical tests 

Exercises and movements: To cater to navel Displacement and treat it without surgery, it is better to rely on exercises that have the potential to strengthen core muscles. By improving the core stability and muscle strength, these exercises can help support the alignment of the navel and prevent further displacement. Some of the exercises here are as follows : 

Pelvic tilts 

Planks 

Bridge exercises 

Leg raises 

Abdominal crunches 

Postural correction: Physiotherapists address postural issues that may contribute to navel displacement by guiding proper body mechanics and ergonomics. They educate patients on maintaining good posture during various activities, such as sitting, standing, and lifting, to reduce strain on the abdominal muscles and promote optimal alignment of the navel.

In addition to addressing the immediate symptoms of navel displacement, physiotherapy focuses on functional rehabilitation to help patients regain optimal movement and function in their daily activities. Physiotherapists prescribe tailored exercise programs that mimic functional movements relevant to the individual's lifestyle and occupational demands, promoting long-term recovery and preventing the recurrence of navel displacement.

 So if you would like navel displacement or other musculoskeletal conditions to be catered to with precision and empathy, consult Dr Harish Grover