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This is an excerpt from Clinical Guide to Surface Palpation 2nd Edition With HKPropel Online Video, A by Michael Masaracchio & Chana Frommer.
Zone IV: Pelvic Viscera
Urinary Bladder
Positions
- Patient: supine, with the knees bent
- Clinician: standing on either side, facing the head of the table
Instructions
- Palpate the pubic tubercle (see chapter 10) with the index finger and thumb.
- Move the fingers slightly superior to the pubic tubercle.
- Firmly, but gently, begin to sink the thumb and index fingers posteriorly.
- Depending on the fullness of the bladder, it may be located deeper.
Note
- Palpation of the bladder is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- Pregnancy
- Use of intrauterine device (IUD)
- Presence of tumors
- Presence of infection or stones
Clinical Pearl
- Restrictions in urinary bladder mobility can lead to dysfunction at T11 to L2 and at the sacroiliac and sacrococcygeal joints.
- Lower trunk rotation, unilateral heel slides, and single-leg hip external and internal rotation can all be used during visceral mobilization with movement.
