How to Treat a Pulled Stomach Muscle

Straining an abdominal muscle can come from a variety of activities including exercising or coughing. The strained muscle will have a dull ache nearly all the time, which becomes more pronounced upon moving. Since the abdominal muscles are also the core muscles for balance as well as most movement, a stomach pull can be very painful. Activities as simple as laughing or rolling over can cause pain.

Treating a Pulled Stomach Muscle

Sit down as soon as possible with your feet up, in a reclining position. As with all pulled muscles, it is important to begin treatment as soon as possible. If you feel a sudden pain or pull in your abdomen while exercising or doing heavy lifting, immediately stop the task.

Place an ice pack on the affected area. If no ice pack is available, a bag of frozen peas works nicely to conform to the contours of the stomach. Apply the ice pack to the affected area for at least 20 minutes, but not more than 30 minutes.

Take ibuprofen to help relieve the pain, too. Follow the dosing directions on the label, or ask your health care provider for instructions as he may want to increase the dose to help relieve both pain and swelling.

Repeat the icing again in three hours and repeat four times a day for at least two days. Continue taking ibuprofen as needed or as directed by your physician. Some people find relief in heat, but it should never be used for an acute injury. If, after 48 hours it is still too painful to move much, heat can be helpful in loosening the muscles before any activity. Do not apply heat for longer than 20 minutes prior to an activity (such as taking a short walk), and be sure to apply ice after the activity.

Rest your abdominal area as much as possible, by following the cues your body gives you. It can take several weeks for a minor strain to heal completely and several months for a major strain to feel better. Give your body time to heal and try not to re-injure the area.