Common Causes and Symptoms of a Pulled Stomach Muscle

A pulled stomach muscle is an uncomfortable and oftentimes painful injury. Despite the fact that it typically heals on its own within a week to 10 days, it doesn’t make this time any easier to deal with.

Understanding the most common causes of a pulled stomach muscle can help prevent trouble. Protect against the following:

• Incorrect technique during exercise, such as lifting free weights

• Improper warming up and cooling down before activity

• Incorrect lifting of heavy objects, such as at your place of employment

• Sudden twisting or turning

If you think you’ve pulled a stomach muscle, there’s a good chance you’re right. But just to be sure, here are the most common symptoms:

• Tenderness

• Soreness

• Bruising

• Swelling

• Pain when touching the area

• Muscle spasm

• Pain when moving

While time alone is typically enough to heal this injury, you can speed up the process by wrapping the area in ice two to three times per day, for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

After pinpointing what caused your pulled stomach muscle, take steps in the future to prevent a similar situation. You’ll be glad that you did, as no one wants to continually deal with this injury.

Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.