Abdominal strains are the most common cause of stomach muscle pain, though other injuries or conditions can cause pain in the stomach region. Overuse commonly causes pain in the stomach muscles as well, and people who do not use the muscles frequently may feel pain when those muscles are suddenly used more than normal. Muscle fatigue is common, especially in athletes who may use those muscles to the point of exhaustion. Strain from coughing or sneezing frequently can lead to pain in the abdomen. Sometimes stomach muscle pain is not muscle pain at all, but a pain in the abdominal region that feels similar to muscle pain.
Muscle strains occur when the small fibers that make up the muscle tissue begin to tear. This tearing can cause pain in the affected muscle, and when tearing occurs in the abdomen, stomach muscle pain will result. Such injuries often heal on their own if treated properly; the RICE treatment should be used to treat these injuries. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps allow the muscle fibers to repair themselves naturally while helping prevent swelling, bruising, or bleeding. A muscle strain may or may not prevent the injured person from moving normally; minor strains may not affect the person much, but a more severe injury can lead to significant pain or tenderness.
A muscle rupture in the abdomen can lead to stomach muscle pain as well, and this injury will require a doctor visit immediately. A rupture occurs when a muscle tears completely, and it breaks away from itself or the tendon that attaches it to bone. Ruptures can be quite painful, and they are often accompanied by swelling, bruising, and a raised bump where the muscle has bunched up. Surgery may be required to fix this problem, so one should seek a doctor's help immediately upon injury.
Sometimes muscle fatigue due to overuse can lead to soreness, tenderness, or stiffness. This condition usually goes away after sufficient rest or light stretching. When muscles tire, they tend to tighten up, causing stiffness or tenderness in the affected areas. When stomach muscle pain occurs, the muscles may simply be tight, or they may have excess build-up of lactic acid, which is a by-product of burned glycogen. The body uses glycogen as its primary energy source during physical activity, and as it burns, lactic acid builds up in muscles, causing an aching or burning sensation in the affected muscles.