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, or tiny, tears within the muscle. Occasionally, in severe injuries, the muscle can rupture or break from its attachment.
Here’s a closer look at the symptoms of an abdominal muscle strain, along with tips for preventing and treating this type of injury.
Symptoms
Symptoms of abdominal muscle strains include:
Rectus abdominis: The muscle over the front of the belly that gives you a “six-pack” appearance when it’s well developedInternal and external obliques: Wrap around the sides of the body and help you bend
Immediate pain in the area of the injured muscleDifficulty flexing the muscle because of this painMuscle spasm of the injured muscleSwelling and bruising
Severity
Abdominal muscle strains are graded according to the severity of the injury:
Grade I (mild): Mild discomfort, which usually does not limit activityGrade II (moderate): Moderate discomfort, which may limit the ability to perform activities such as bending or twisting movementsGrade III (severe): Severe injury that can cause pain with normal activities, often with muscle spasm and bruising
When to See a Doctor
Physicians and physical therapists can recommend treatments that may speed your recovery. You should be evaluated by a doctor if:
You have symptoms of a severe abdominal strainYour injury is interfering with daily activities like walking, sitting, or sleepingYou are not sure if you have an abdominal strain or another conditionYour symptoms do not get better quickly
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:
Avoid exercise to allow the injured muscle to heal. Avoid activities that cause pain or spasm of the abdominal muscles. Practice gentle stretching. It should not be painful or excessive, as this may slow the healing process. Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase, or during the first 48 hours after injury. It’s also helpful to apply ice after activities. Apply heat before activities to loosen the muscle.
How to Prevent Reinjury
One the injury is fully healed, you can avoid another strain by practicing some common-sense preventive tips.
Never overexert yourself while exercising. Avoid exercises with explosive, “jerking” movements. Focus on isometric resistance exercises, which strengthen your core muscles with steady and controlled movements. Avoid hyperextending your back (bending too far backwards) when lifting weights. Tighten your core muscles if you have to cough or sneeze.
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 first place.
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.
