3 doctors agreed: Muscle spasm: This could be a muscle spasm. I have heard this description many times before. Hernias do not occur in the upper abdomen by the rib cage. They do occur in the middle. The muscle spasm can cause severe pain, and ball up, mimicking a hernia.
Generally, working part time is considered working anything less than what your employer considers full time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines part-time status as working on average between one and 34 hours per week. In the end, it is up to the employer to decide how many hours is part time and how many would make the job a full-time position. The Department of Labor does not differentiate between the two statuses.
Federal Law. On the federal level, the United States Department of Labor identifies part-time workers as employees who work 1 to 34 hours per week. To be identified as full-time, you must work at least 35 hours per week. Although there is a conflict between Texas and federal definitions, Texas law would be followed because it is more favorable to the employee if the matter came up in court.