If the tear is from overuse, the symptoms may take weeks to get to the point where you finally seek medical attention. If the strain or tear is acute and serious –usually brought on by an accident, slipping, falling, colliding into something, or lifting something heavy, you may be forced to seek immediate treatment.
How do you treat a torn muscle in your stomach?
Treatment. Avoiding exercise to allow the injured muscle to heal is important. Activities that cause pain or spasm of the abdominal muscles should also be avoided. Gentle stretching is helpful, but it should not be painful. Stretching excessively can be harmful, and even slow the healing process.
What should I do if I have an abdominal muscle spasm?
Avoiding exercise to allow the injured muscle to heal is important. Activities that cause pain or spasm of the abdominal muscles should also be avoided. Gentle stretching is helpful, but it should not be painful. Stretching excessively can be harmful, and even slow the healing process.
When to seek medical attention for a pulled abdominal muscle?
If you were to get what feels like a pulled abdominal muscle, but notice other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, you should seek medical attention without delay. Treatment for pulled abdominal muscle ranges from rest, to medical interventions.
How to treat abdominal muscle pain?
Applying a cold pack for 15-20 minutes two to three times a day to the abdominal muscles. Pain medications in the form of ibuprofen or Tylenol are quite effective in calming down the pain and inflammation.
How do you know if your stomach muscles are torn?
What are the symptoms of an abdominal muscle strain (pulled stomach muscle)? Abdominal pain and musculoskeletal pain are the main signs of an abdominal strain. You may experience this pain when: Coughing, sneezing or laughing.
Can a torn abdominal muscle heal on its own?
Tip. Torn abdominal muscles can heal with rest and rehabilitation exercises, and they may require surgery.
Do you need to go to the hospital for a torn muscle?
When you strain your muscle, it's likely your movement will be restricted within the muscle group that is affected. If your strain is mild or moderate, you should be able to treat it at home using ice, heat and anti-inflammatory medication; however, more severe strains (or tears) typically need medical attention.
Do you need surgery for a torn abdominal muscle?
Grade 2 – Some tearing of fibers in a muscle or tendon. Grade 3 – Ruptured muscle or tendon; severe cases, in which a portion of the bowel may be protruding into the abdominal wall, require surgery to repair. Abdominal wall strain is usually caused by overuse or by an incident that results in injury.
What do you do for a torn stomach muscle?
TreatmentAvoid 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.
Will an MRI show a torn abdominal muscle?
Conclusion: MRI can delineate the sheets of musculature that make up the lateral abdominal wall. Side strain injury is caused by tearing of the internal oblique muscle from the undersurface of one of the lower four ribs or costal cartilages.
How do doctors tell if you tore a muscle?
Symptoms of Torn Muscles Expect pain and soreness, as well as spasms and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all. You may note swelling as well as bruising and discoloration accompanied by a “knotted up” feeling or stiffness.
When should I go to the doctor for muscle pain?
Get immediate medical care if you have muscle pain with: Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness. A high fever and stiff neck.
Should I go to the ER for muscle pain?
MUSCLES, TENDONS AND BONES Go to a hospital emergency room immediately if there is severe, constant (intractable) pain associated with moving or bearing weight and there is a large bump or other physical deformity.
How do I know if I need muscle repair?
If the musculature of your abdominal wall has been compromised, such as through diastasis, or by having a weak abdominal wall leading to other medical conditions such as a hernia, then you will need muscle repair.
How long does abdominal tear take to heal?
Abdominal Strain Recovery Time For a mild abdominal strain, recovery time is typically two to ten days. A severe abdominal strain might need up to ten weeks of recovery time.
How to treat an abdominal muscle injury?
That said, the most important step after you sustain an abdominal muscle strain is to allow the muscle to cool down so that the inflammation can subside. Avoiding exercise to allow the injured muscle ...
What is pulled abdominal muscle?
An abdominal muscle strain, also called a pulled abdominal muscle, is an injury to one of the muscles of the abdominal wall. A muscle strain occurs when the muscle is stretched too far. When this occurs the muscle fibers are torn. Most commonly, a strain causes microscopic tears within the muscle. Occasionally, in severe injuries, ...
How to heal a muscle after a sprain?
Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase (the first 48 hours after injury), and then after activities. Before activities, gentle heat can help to loosen the muscle. One the injury is fully healed, you can avoid reoccurrence by practicing some common-sense preventive tips.
Which muscle gives you a six pack appearance?
Rectus abdominis: The muscle over the front of the belly that gives you a "six-pack" appearance when it's well developed. Internal and external obliques : Wrap around the sides of the body and help you bend. Abdominal muscle strains usually cause immediate pain in the area of the injured muscle.
Why is it so hard to flex a muscle?
It can be hard to flex the muscle because of this pain. The other common symptom is muscle spasm of the injured muscle. Less commonly, swelling and bruising can result from a muscle injury. 1 .
Overview
An abdominal muscle strain occurs when you tear or overly stretch muscles in the stomach. An abdominal muscle strain and pulled stomach muscle are the same condition.
Symptoms and Causes
A pulled stomach muscle is often an overuse injury. Repetitive movements, usually in sports or other physical activity, cause the muscle to stretch or tear.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your healthcare provider can diagnose a pulled stomach muscle based on symptoms and a physical exam. Depending on the cause of the injury and your symptoms, you may get:
Management and Treatment
Abdominal muscle strains get better over time with rest. These steps can help:
Prevention
Giving your abdominal muscles a rest from certain activities can lower your chances of pulling a stomach muscle. You can also:
How long does it take for a pulled muscle in the abdomen to heal?
Treatment for pulled abdominal muscle ranges from rest, to medical interventions. If you pull a muscle in your abdomen and it doesn’t heal within a few days, you should see a doctor to make sure you have not sustained a serious injury.
How to help a swollen abdominal area?
Stretching – A week or two after the injury, some people find that light stretching exercises help strengthen the abdominal area and reduce stiffness. Pain medications, muscle relaxants, and gels are sometimes suggested in cases where pain and inflammation is unbearable.
What are the symptoms of a pulled abdominal muscle?
The following are typical symptoms of pulled abdominal muscles: Spasm, bruising, swelling —spasm can occur in cases where the muscle is strained following injury. In situations where there is a sizeable tear or rupture, bruising and swelling can happen.
What does it mean when your abdominal muscles are pulled?
When your body is weak or your abdomen is injured, you can experience a pulled abdominal muscle. It will either be a mild or severe tear or pain. When the problem recurs, it could be a sign of muscle fiber strain or a severe tear. Abdominal muscles are what we call core muscles.
Why do I have a pulled muscle in my abdomen?
A pulled abdominal muscle can also be caused by overuse of the muscles. When people fail to warm up before taking part in strenuous exercises, they can pull muscles in their abdomen. In some cases, even coughing can cause a pulled muscle. While it may sound trivial, if the injury is severe, the abdominal muscle can rupture.
How to help a muscle relax?
Rest – Some rest can help the muscle relax and repair. Some people find bandages or wraps help control muscle movements during the rest phase. Those who generally twist, turn, or lift on the job may have to take some time off work to rest the abdominal area.
Where are pulled abdominal muscles located?
They are situated on the front side of the body, between the pelvis and the ribs. They provide support to our trunk, hold organs in place, and play an important role in bodily movement. Thankfully, pulled abdominal muscles can be easily diagnosed from symptoms and usually don’t require special tests.
How to prevent abdominal muscle tear?
Pelvic Tilt Exercise to Help Prevent Abdominal Muscle Tear: This exercise is designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles and prevent abdominal muscle tear and strain. To do this exercise, lie on the back with the knees bent and the feet flat on the ground.
How to heal a muscle tear in the abdomen?
A combination of yoga and conventional exercise routines are quite useful in Abdominal Muscle Tear or Strain. These exercises should be performed only after the abdominal muscle tear has healed completely so as to strengthen the abdominal muscle and prevent future tears and strains.
What is the third degree tear of the abdominal muscle?
Third degree Tear or Strain of Abdominal Muscle: This is the most complicated form of a muscle strain in which there is complete rupture of the muscle and may require surgical correction to restore normalcy of the muscle. Advertisement.
What is it called when your muscles pull away from each other?
In majority of the cases, the strains or tears are very minute and may lead to some kind of discomfort in the affected area but in some cases there is a complete tear where the muscles pull away from each other then it that case it is called as a muscle rupture, in this case the Abdominal Muscle Rupture .
What is a tear in the abdomen?
What is Abdominal Muscle Tear? An Abdominal Muscle Tear Which is also known as Abdominal Muscle Strain is a pathological condition in which there is an injury or damage to the internal structures of the muscles of the abdomen. A strain can be described as a partial or complete tear of a muscle.
What does it mean when your abdominal muscles are swollen?
Pain with attempts at stretching the abdominal muscles. Tenderness in the abdominal area along with muscle spasms. In severe cases of Abdominal Muscle Tear there may be swelling of the abdominal muscles.
How long does it take to recover from a muscle tear?
In cases of a first degree tear or strain of the abdominal muscle, the recovery time is usually three weeks before returning to normal activity. In cases of a second degree tear or strain of the abdominal muscle the recovery period is normally six to seven weeks before returning to normal activity. For the more severe third degree tear ...
What to do if you have a muscle tear in your abdomen?
Typically this involves rest, ice and compression, meant to protect the muscle from further injury and reduce pain and swelling.
How to treat a swollen abdominal muscle?
Ice: Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time every hour or four to eight times per day . Ice reduces blood flow to the injury site to control swelling and pain.
How long does it take for a torn abdominal muscle to heal?
Torn abdominal muscles take at least two months to heal. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages. Severe muscle strains in which the abdominal muscles tear — either partially or completely — are no laughing matter.
Why does my abdominal muscle tear?
Abdominal muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers become overstretched, sometimes to the point of tearing. Typically, the cause is an acute injury, such as a sudden twisting movement, picking up a heavy item or exercising too intensely.
Why are my abdominal tears stubborn?
Abdominal tears can be stubborn because of their location. Your abdominals are part of your core — the center of your body — and they are active in everything you do. Modify your movements and ask for help when you need to carry or move something.
What is the best exercise to do to get rid of a torso?
Isometric exercises are a good place to start because they do not require any movement of the torso. One such exercise is the abdominal drawing-in maneuver. To do this exercise:
Can a grade 1 strain be treated at home?
Grade I strains can usually be treated at home and do not require medical attention. Grade II strains are moderate, affecting more muscle fibers that may be overstretched or partially torn. They will cause more pain, tenderness and swelling, and they may also cause muscle weakness.
What is the best treatment for a sprained limb?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint.
How to wrap a swollen heart?
Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.
What to look for in a physical exam for a ruptured tendon?
Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury.
How to stop swelling in a swollen ear?
Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
How to stop stomach spasms?
A loss of electrolytes due to dehydration can cause stomach spasms. Making sure you stay hydrated, therefore, can help reduce spasms. Changing your diet may help prevent stomach spasms caused by gas, gastritis, IBS, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Why does my stomach feel full?
A buildup of gas in your stomach can cause your intestinal muscles to spasm as your body tries to release the gas. If you have gas, you might also have: distended stomach or bloating. sharp stomach pain. a feeling of fullness.
What does it feel like to have a spasm in your stomach?
Depending on which part of your body is spasming and how badly, it might feel like either a slight muscle twitch or stomach cramps.
What causes bowel spasms?
4. Inflammatory bowel disease. These diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory conditions. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while UC only affects the colon. In both conditions, inflammation can cause bowel spasms.
Why does my stomach feel gasy during pregnancy?
This is because the progesterone your body produces to support the pregnancy also relaxes your muscles, including the muscles of your intestine. That slows down your digestion and allows gas to build up.
Is a stomach spasm a symptom of a disease?
In most cases, stomach spasms themselves are harmless, but they could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about potential causes of stomach spasms and when to call your doctor.
Can you get stomach spasms while pregnant?
Stomach spasms are a common occurrence in pregnancy. Most causes of stomach spasms during pregnancy are harmless, but you should see a doctor if you have pain, or constant or recurring spasms.
How to tell if you tore your stomach muscle?
Identify the severity of a torn abdominal muscle 1. When an individual is injured in a sports-related activity, pain is often immediate. Lack of movement, cramping and muscle spasms and shooting pain are all associated with a torn abdominal muscle 1. In addition to these symptoms, there can also be apparent swelling and bruising shortly after the injury. Once an individual has a torn stomach muscle, it is hard to flex or stretch it out because it might appear at first to be a severe muscle cramp.
Why is it so hard to stretch out a torn stomach muscle?
Once an individual has a torn stomach muscle, it is hard to flex or stretch it out because it might appear at first to be a severe muscle cramp.
What are the different grades of abdominal strains?
Abdominal strains--or tears--are categorized into grades. There are three general grades, each of which describes the degree of tearing with the injury . Grade I is slight discomfort, to the point where an individual could carry on and continue an activity for a short time. The pain may not begin until after the activity has stopped. Grade II describes moderate discomfort, where the individual can no longer continue with activities that involve the abdomen and the abdomen is sore to touch. Finally, grade III is severe discomfort, where even the normal, day-to-day activities are virtually impossible to do until healing is complete. In grade III, the swelling or cramping usually accompanies the torn muscle pain. Grades II and III may also develop bruising; grade I does not.
Why is it important to avoid exercise when you have a torn abdominal muscle?
Because it is impossible to stop any movement of the abdomen muscles, reducing excess activity is necessary to heal. Time is the only way to heal a torn abdomen muscle and it is important to avoid exercise until the tear is healed.
How to warm up abdominal muscles?
Before going to do any sport or physical activity, it is important to stretch the muscles in order to warm them up and be more flexible. Stretch thoroughly with side twists to warm up abdominal muscles and bend from side to side to warm up internal and external oblique muscles.
How to prevent sprains and tears?
Avoid adding excess strain to any muscle in order to prevent tears or even sprains 1. Stretch before an activity. Stretch thoroughly with side twists to warm up abdominal muscles and bend from side to side to warm up internal and external oblique muscles. 00:00.
What happens when you are not stretched out?
Sports-related injuries often happen when an individual is not completely stretched out prior to activity or puts too much strain on a particular muscle 1. Abdominal muscle tears can be quite painful, and require a period of rest to heal 1. There are also different symptoms of a torn abdominal muscle depending on the severity of the injury 1.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of abdominal muscle strains include:1 1. Immediate pain in the area of the injured muscle 2. Difficulty flexing the muscle because of this pain 3. Muscle spasm of the injured muscle 4. Swelling and bruising
Severity
- Abdominal muscle strains are graded according to the severity of the injury: 1. Grade I (mild): Mild discomfort, which usually does not limit activity 2. Grade II (moderate): Moderate discomfort, which may limit the ability to perform activities such as bending or twisting movements 3. Grade III (severe): Severe injury that can cause pain with normal activities, often with muscle spasm an…
When to See A Doctor
- Physicians and physical therapistscan recommend treatments that may speed your recovery. You should be evaluated by a doctor if: 1. You have symptoms of a severe abdominal strain 2. Your injury is interfering with daily activities like walking, sitting, or sleeping 3. You are not sure if you have an abdominal strain or another condition 4. Your sym...
Treatment
- Treatment of an abdominal muscle injury is difficult. There's no way to splint the abdomen and it's nearly impossible to fully rest these muscles. That said, the most important step after you sustain an abdominal muscle strain is to allow the muscle to relax so that the inflammation can subside. The following can help: 1. Avoid exercise to allow the injured muscle to heal. 2. Avoid activities t…
How to Prevent Reinjury
- One the injury is fully healed, you can avoid another strain by practicing some common-sense preventive tips. 1. Never overexert yourself while exercising. 2. Avoid exercises with explosive, "jerking" movements. 3. Focus on isometric resistance exercises, which strengthen your core muscles with steady and controlled movements. 4. Avoid hyperextendingyour back (bending to…
Summary
- An abdominal muscle strain, or pulled abdominal muscle, can cause pain that ranges from mild discomfort to muscle spasms and bruising. Since you can't splint the muscles, the best treatment is rest, gentle stretching, icing after activities, and heating prior to activities. In addition, using some common-sense strategies during exercising can help prevent the abdominal strain in the fi…
A Word from Verywell
- Recovering from an abdominal muscle strain may take time but it is possible. Some people find treatments such as ultrasound, therapeutic massage, and specific exercises particularly helpful. You should see your physician to determine if these would be appropriate for your condition.