Stomach aches are common. However, pain in abdominal muscles can be intense. It is also hard to identify whether you just pulled a muscle or tore it. That’s why it’s important to understand “What does a torn stomach muscle feel like?” Although it is a localized pain, it can be mistaken for a pulled muscle pain.
What Is a Torn Stomach Muscle?
When you injure a stomach muscle, you might feel sharp pain right away. It can be hard to move or stretch the muscle. You can experience cramping, muscle spasms, and sharp pain. Swelling and bruising might also appear soon after the injury.
Medical professionals grade abdominal muscle tears based on severity. Grade I is slight discomfort, Grade II is mild pain, and Grade III is severe pain that makes it hard to do any activity without medical treatment.
Torn Abdominal Muscle Pain
A torn stomach muscle usually causes a sharp and sudden pain in the stomach area. This pain is often focused on the spot where the muscle is torn. It can get worse with movements like coughing, laughing, or bending. The area can also feel sore, and there might be bruising or swelling.
When the injury happens, it often feels like a sharp pull or tear. The pain can vary from mild to very severe, depending on how bad the tear is. Activities that use the stomach muscles, like getting up from lying down or doing abdominal exercises, can make the pain worse.
Which Stomach Muscles Are Prone to Tearing?
Torn abdominal muscle injuries usually happen due to overuse. You are more likely to tear any of the following stomach muscles:
- Oblique Muscles: These run from your ribs to your pelvis and help you twist your torso left and right.
- Rectus Abdominus Muscles: These are the muscles in the middle of your abdomen, often known as a “six-pack” when well-defined. They help move your torso between your pelvis and ribs.
- Transversus Abdominus Muscles: These are the deepest stomach muscles. They help keep your core stable and protect your internal organs.
Treatment for Abdominal Strain
If you have an abdominal strain, it’s important to act quickly. Follow the P.R.I.C.E. principle: Protection, Rest, Icing, Compression, and Elevation. You can apply an ice pack for 20 minutes every two hours for the first couple of days. This will reduce swelling and prevent further damage. Avoid any activities, including sports, that cause more pain.
Wrap your abdomen with an elastic bandage to provide gentle pressure. This helps reduce swelling and inflammation. In the second week, you can start isometric exercises, which strengthen the muscles without moving the joints.
To do these exercises, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Push your lower back against the ground and tighten all your abdominal muscles. Hold for 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat this 10 times.
After healing, you can move on to more advanced exercises like curl-ups and diagonal curl-ups. In these, lie with your knees bent and feet flat, extend your arms at a 45-degree angle, and lift your head and shoulders off the floor without straining your neck. Hold each lift for 5 seconds and repeat 12 times. Additional treatments can include hydrotherapy, soft tissue work, and improving posture.
How long does it take for a Torn stomach muscle to heal?
A torn abdominal muscle usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks to heal. This depends on how bad the injury is. Milder strains heal faster, while more severe ones take longer. If the symptoms don’t improve after this time or get worse, it’s important to see a doctor.
A healthcare professional, like a primary care doctor, sports medicine specialist, or orthopedic doctor, can diagnose the issue and suggest further treatments. These include physical therapy or tests to check for complications like hernias or more serious tears.
Wrapping Up
When you know, “What does a torn stomach muscle feel like?” It might be tempting to let it heal on its own. However, you need to consult an orthopedic doctor to suggest the right medication and exercises. Doing them on your own can worsen the condition.
Visit our board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gombera at Mufaddal Gombera, MD. Our doctor specializes in sports medicine and mostly avoids invasive treatments for your quick recovery. Dial (713) 794-3457 for an appointment.
