Symptoms of Trigger Points in the Abdominal Muscles

Symptoms of Trigger Points in the Abdominal Muscles

There are numerous symptoms caused by trigger points in the abdominal muscles.  Many of these symptoms can be quite disconcerting and sometimes frightening to someone because they are felt in the viscera, reproductive organs, and other muscles (such as the back).  They also create symptoms of illness.

Travell and Simons list the symptoms below.

Abdominal Trigger Points can cause symptoms of:

  • Heartburn
  • Menstrual pain
  • False appendicitis
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Food intolerance
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Backaches
  • Colic in babies
  • Stomachaches
  • Bed wetting in older children and adults
Trigger Points you may find in your abdomen.

Pain and false symptoms can be created in the :

  • Esophagus
  • Kidneys
  • Bladder
  • Colon
  • Other internal organs, including false heart attacks.

Pain can be felt in:

  • The groin
  • Rectum
  • Ovaries
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
  • Penis
  • Testes
  • Prostate symptoms & impotence in males
  • Painful intercourse for both sexes

These are long and varied lists, and rarely do we find trigger points in other muscles causing such visceral-somatic symptoms. 

Perhaps, you have experienced some of these symptoms and could not find the reason. The reason might be abdominal trigger points. 

It might be worthwhile to examine your abdomen for trigger points.

Our course about Abdominal Trigger Point Self Care helps you find your trigger points and release them.

Dr. Kirsten Kern, PhD, LMTI, co-founded Texas Healing Arts Institute School of Massage (THAI) in 1997. Dr. Kern, known by her nickname “Stan,” is a Clinical Massage Therapy Instructor and was trained and certified as an Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy® Practitioner and Certified Arvigo® Therapy Instructor. She has joined a collective of Abdominal Therapy practitioners and educators: Abdominal Therapy Collective. Clients seek her bodywork for its unique blend of science-based knowledge, intuition, compassion, and humor. She has taught at The University of Texas at Austin, Southwestern University, and Rutgers University. During college, Dr. Kern studied biological sciences and worked with marine mammals in Newfoundland and Alaska. As a member of community theater, she has studied movement and bodywork for over 20 years and is passionate about moving bodies out of pain. She designed the first Clinical Massage Therapy Program in Texas. She also teaches continuing education workshops in advanced clinical techniques and Abdominal Therapy. She is an interminable student, educator, and gardener. Lately, she has taken up painting and working with Play’s the Thing, a group of folks performing Shakespeare with children at Dell Children’s Hospital. She lives part time in Austin, Texas and part time in St. John, USVI.