However, there are several factors that can help distinguish a hernia from a pulled abdominal muscle, including the mechanism of injury, appearance, location and nature of the pain, and other symptoms. An abdominal hernia describes an opening in the abdominal wall that allows abdominal organs to protrude through the wall. Family Physician for 10 years; Hospital Medical Director for 10 years. Slight sweling, and tenderness yes, but a very tight 'full' feeling if that makes sense. Pressing on a small hernia bulge often causes it to disappear when the abdominal contents are pushed back into the abdominal cavity. Also known as an abdominal muscle strain, this type of injury ranges from mild … Pain in your abdomen can be caused by many things, including a pulled muscle or hernia. Emergency Medicine and Family Practice for over 26 years, Medical Degree, Former Assistant Professor at School of Medicine at Yale University. It is usually when I am sitting and then stand up. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Doctor can run tests like urine, blood analysis, ultrasound after clinical examination. I am a 41 year old female. Hernias commonly cause a distinct bulge on the surface of the abdomen without associated swelling or bruising. Clinical Guide to Sports Injuries; Roald Bahr and Sverre Mæhlum. Other common sites include the area around the belly button, or umbilicus, and sites of previous surgical incisions or other penetrating abdominal wounds. Having pain/discomfort in my, Phil, you've been very helpful with me in the past, and I, I'm 65, male, resonably good health with a small lump near, To start off I have kind of a lot of issues but I constantly, I have a similar problem except that I think I caused the, I've had a random throbbing and very dull pain on the left, Every few months i get a stabbing pain in my left abdomen, This week I have begun having a some-what sharp pain in my, Last Sunday I woke up with a dull pain that seemed like it, I am having left abdominal pain from about an inch away from, I woke up fine this morning ,then i got in my car and, I have a dull pain in my lower abdominal area on the right, If i cough or pull myself up using stomache muscles i get. A pulled abdominal muscle involves a mild to severe tear of one of the abdominal wall muscles. Other common sites include the area around the belly button, or umbilicus, and sites of previous surgical incisions or other penetrating abdominal wounds. A pulled abdominal muscle involves a mild to severe tear of one of the abdominal wall muscles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy and Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University at Buffalo, as well as a post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy from Utica College. I also occasionally feel like I have some pain in my upper abdomen area. When there is swelling & tenderness, I would advise to take an examination by doctor asap. Signs and symptoms of a serious abdominal muscle tear include: -- immediate, severe pain -- nausea and vomiting -- pale skin, cold sweats, dizziness or fainting, Hernias can cause serious complications, including bowel obstruction or death of a portion of the bowel that gets trapped in the hernia sac and loses its blood supply --a condition known as a strangulated hernia. Sudden tenderness in a hernia bulge requires immediate medical evaluation. Abdominal muscle strains occur in a variety of locations and can involve any of the muscles of the abdominal wall. last couple weeks, I have had a very intense dull pain about 2 inches to right of my belly button. A pulled abdominal muscle involves a mild to severe tear of one of the abdominal wall muscles. Aubrey Bailey has been writing health-related articles since 2009. The pain is typically localized to the specific site of the muscle injury, which is often tender if pressed on. A mild to moderate pulled abdominal muscle will usually heal with rest, followed by physical therapy. Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. These injuries, known as abdominal muscle strains, typically occur suddenly during high-energy sports movements, such as batting, throwing, serving a tennis ball or spiking a volleyball. The pain is typically localized to the specific site of the muscle injury, which is often tender if pressed on. I have a leg cramp that won't go away, now I'm worried it is DVT. Tears most often occur at the ends of muscles, where they attach to connective tissues. Mild to moderate abdominal muscle strains typically cause no noticeable changes to the appearance of the abdomen. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Signs & Symptoms of a Pulled Abdominal Muscle, University of Tennessee, Graduate School of Medicine: The Abdominal Wall and Hernias, Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal: Clinical Practice Guide for Muscular Injuries -- Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine: Rectus Abdominis Muscle Injuries in Elite Handball Players -- Management and Rehabilitation, British Journal of Sports Medicine: Rectus Abdominis Muscle Strains in Tennis Players, Merck Manual Professional Version: Hernias of the Abdominal Wall, American Family Physician: Inguinal Hernias: Diagnosis and Management, American Family Physician: The Abdominal Wall: An Overlooked Source of Pain.