Abdominal Muscle Strain Abdominal Muscle Strain What is an

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Abdominal Muscle Strain Abdominal Muscle Strain What is an Powered By Docstoc
					                     Abdominal Muscle Strain
What is an abdominal muscle strain?

How does it occur?
become strained.

What are the symptoms?
You have pain over the abdominal muscles.

At times these muscles may be torn. A tear all the way through the muscles and the covering of
the abdomen (called the fascia) may result in an abdominal wall hernia. In a hernia, some of the
contents of the belly (intestines and connective tissue) protrude through the tear and cause a
bulge in the abdominal wall.

How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will examine your abdomen. He or she will ask you to do an exercise
such as a sit-up or abdominal "crunch," and this will reproduce some of your symptoms. If you

How is it treated?
After your initial injury, you should apply ice to the strained muscle for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to
anti-inflammatory medication. If you have an abdominal hernia you may need surgery to correct
this problem.

When can I return to my sport or activity?
Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your activity will be determined by how
soon your abdominal muscles recover, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your
it will take to get better.

You may return to your activity when you can bend at the waist to touch your toes and straighten
back up without pain. You should be able to do a sit-up or abdominal crunch without pain. If you
have a hernia, be cautious about doing strenuous abdominal activities and talk to your health
care provider about having it repaired.
How can I prevent abdominal muscle strains?
Abdominal muscle strains are best prevented by having well toned abdominal muscles prior to
vigorous activities. You can accomplish this by doing sit-ups or abdominal crunches or by using
one of the popular abdominal exercise machines. It is important not to overdo it when beginning
your exercise program. When lifting heavy objects it is important to lift correctly, with knees bent
and your back and abdomen straight.

Published by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.

evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Written by Pierre Rouzier, M.D., for McKesson Health Solutions LLC.

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