Your abdominal muscles have many important functions, from holding organs in place to supporting your body during movement. There are five main muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominus, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis.
What does a strained abdominal muscle feel like?
A pulled abdominal muscle can make the abdomen feel sore and tender, especially during movement. If people have pulled a muscle, they may notice the following symptoms in and around the abdomen: soreness or tenderness. pain or discomfort when touching the abdomen.
How long does it take a strained abdominal muscle to heal?
A mild strain may heal within a few weeks. A more severe strain may take 6 weeks or longer.
How do you treat a pulled abdominal muscle?
Treatment
- Avoid exercise to allow the injured muscle to heal.
- Avoid activities that cause pain or spasm of the abdominal muscles.
- Practice gentle stretching. …
- Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase, or during the first 48 hours after injury. …
- Apply heat before activities to loosen the muscle.
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?
If you experience any of the following symptoms with stomach pain, see a doctor because these may be a sign of a more serious condition:
- Pain is severe and lasts more than an hour or comes and goes for more than 24 hours.
- Pain starts suddenly.
- Bloody bowel movements.
- Black, tarry stool.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
How do you know if stomach pain is internal or muscular?
Frequently, a localized, tender trigger point can be identified, although the pain may radiate over a diffuse area of the abdomen. If tenderness is unchanged or increased when abdominal muscles are tensed (positive Carnett’s sign), the abdominal wall is the likely origin of pain.
When should I go to the doctor for abdominal pain?
If your abdominal pain is severe or if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible: Nausea, fever, or the inability to keep food down for several days. Bloody stools. Difficulty breathing.
What are the four types of abdominal pain?
There are four types of abdominal pain: upper, lower, right-sided and left-sided.
