How to find and treat abdominal trigger points - how to self treat trigger point pains

In this instructional video, we show you how to find and treat abdominal trigger points. For more detailed instructions, go to goo.gl/mKMkws
Trigger points are some of the most common causes of muscle pain. A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. Abdominal trigger points cause a surprising amount of back pain. It's no wonder we often overlook this muscle when we have back pain.
To watch all the videos related to trigger points, go to our playlist at • Trigger points
In this video, I describe a technique i've used with my patients to make sure you find and treat all your abdominal muscle knots. If you miss one, the pain may not fully decrease. Thats why its important to be thorough with your examination. That's why its important to know how to self treat trigger point pains. You can easily do it at home, using just your hands!
Here are some key points to remember when looking for these muscle knots:
Make sure that you press into each spot for a few seconds. The goal is not only to feel tenderness, but also to see if the pressure is recreating any pain that you feeling. Does the muscle spot recreate your low back pain? If so, hold that pressure for anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.
Don't overtreat your trigger points. It's better to spend time going over all your spots, rather than focusing on just one spot. The tendency is to try to do too much. This can often leave you sore and bruised.
If you have low back pain and want to know how to find and treat your trigger points, our website has comprehensive instructional articles and videos to help you get muscle pain relief. Visit us at goo.gl/mKMkws
Also make sure you subscribe to our KZbin channel!
After finding the muscle knots and stretching the appropriate muscles, it's time to strengthen the low back. Watch the video at • Low back strengthening...

[@djcluetv]

I was literally just in pain and followed this and it worked but that's why you are the WIZARD!

[@anamikapaul3588]

It helped me immediately. Thank you so much.

[@sabrynahcares2897]

Omg this is sooo helpful. Im really worried cos its really painful! 🥺😭 I am better now thanks to you sir 😊

[@mayumitalento8314]

Thank you so muchhhhhhh😭😭 so helpful

[@babitarani3501]

Omg thank you so much!!! I was about to start crying as my upper right stomach hurt when I tried to twist to the left (like how you crack your back) but I don’t feel it anymore. I think I twisted too hard when I was walking but I can move freely now!

[@97877753]

God bless you!! That was so helpful! 🙏

[@hinamori8133]

I am experiencing lower abdominal pain this helps a little bit thankyouu

[@Creative_Sanjay7]

It really works suffering from last week and not cured after taking many medicines,thanks sir

[@furrfurr]

Awesome info!

[@booyah7115]

Thanks you sir for awesome information 🙂

[@user-o765]

Very good information sir god bless you 👍

[@mahdimasoomirad1812]

Great.I have no pain anymore. God bless you.

[@sevgi6026]

Pleass reader read ans help me! I did abs exercice trying to burn fat and not build muscle. Now i look fatter than i was before, and my stomach is hard. How do i get ride of this hardnest to my stomach?? Plz help! 😢 And i realised i was building muscles rather than burning fat when my stomach hurted after excercices when normaley it doesnt

[@xlantboi]

U are jesus

[@joshua3027]

Permanently?

[@ejisloco1051]

1:06 every time I do the finger pressure underneath the rib cage, inch by inch as I lower the pressure I end up touching and stroking my muscle that gets pulled a lot. I have avoided my stomach cramps and released a ton of tension at the same time. Thanks so much.

[@ConsoleCrusader1]

This was a lot a help thank u

[@readwithsagar]

Thank you Sir, this short video was super informative when my wife was having stomach cramp, and we were about to call Doctor as her pain was unbearable, after applying pressure points at correct spot, the pain disappeared as it was not there in the first place. A big thank you!!😊

[@alsleymata7237]

Im experiencing abdominal pain after doing jump rope and ab excercise it so painful

[@michellechuck8394]

M tm

[@damjanavativec210]

Yes they can mislead you tottaly And there are four of them and each fibers are going in opositive direction. If you have the pain close to uper ribs the problem is completly somewhere else

[@ChibiKeruchan]

I'm having a neck and shoulder pain for a month and a half already and is right now under physical therapy suddenly when I wake up I feel bloated and feels like my stomach or what even inside that belly feels like loosen or all around the place. I couldn't eat much... just a few spoon full and I'm already feeling full. thanks to this somehow it helps and made an improvements.

[@loida8830]

Ohh my God thank you so much im in middle night im terrible pain thank you so much❤️❤️❤️❤️its really work

[@robloxroblox390]

Thank u so much it helped me so much

[@SrajFilms]

Thanks

[@tunosiwemulungu4217]

thank you really worked

[@dynominati1956]

It's gone thankyou man I am from India and God bless you 😊😊

[@anthonyventura9844]

Thank you

[@crystalmacbride2032]

That helped thank you i have pain in the middle sides of my stomach. I just poked at my stomach for abit and it seemed to settle it down.

[@roshanjoshi8459]

Hey

[@TheCuratorIsHere]

0:50 oh I’m sure it did 😂

[@realazzrealgets]

ive been on pain meds and therapy for three months. it was bad back pain, then moved to my kneck and shoulder blades. well i started noticing i have these points in my back, and stomach. i get mri soon.. but ty so much for info im going to let dr know now

[@AR-ht4xe]

me all it all over my body there is no part of body which have muscle and doesn't pain

[@PeeweeMee]

And here I am watching while having stomach ache. After massaging my stomach points, i just farted! Hahaha. This totally works!! I just maybe bloated!

[@tristaneveritt6519]

Lmao

[@nonh8nsk8r]

You probably hit your ileocecal valve or your pyloric valve. These are junctions in the GI tract that help move food (and gas) from one section to the next.

[@alphyskj2075]

😂😂 ulllgh thats what I neeeeed

[@melisafejzullau2061]

@@sevgi6026 hi im a lil bit late,what did you do abt it

[@sevgi6026]

@@melisafejzullau2061 oh, actually it turned out i was just really bloated. Now i know that i do have bloating issues, and all i do about it is doing more exercice, and eating less, chewing more :)

[@lost_musician]

we don't talk anymore like we used to do i just heard that find wanna you've been looking you're looking so good 👍

[@SG-hi2lq]

Thank you so much it helps my pain is gone now👍

[@joshua3027]

Has it permanently stopped?

[@SG-hi2lq]

@@joshua3027 yes

[@lost_musician]

thnkyou somuch

[@tabonejohann]

I was at the gym and few years ago I used to do lots of workouts. Today I decided to hit the gym after 5 years not going . I did all the exercises and abdominal crunch machine got me cramps and pain too on my lower abdo. Is it normal sometimes?

[@LauraBannana]

might've went too hard w the core workouts last night. Woke up feeling like there's a spoon stuck in my left lower rib and overwhelming abdominal pain for a sec. like right below my chest. nice to see the other comments came from an ab workout too 😩

[@lutaayayusufu9615]

God bless you 🙏

[@lutaayayusufu9615]

I have to much pain stomach and hip pain

[@peacefulbliss1]

You mean well Sir, but what does the trigger point feel like? When I push down all over my abdomen, it all feels the same. I don't notice any part different than the next. If I did notice a particular sore spot, why am I to do with it? Have had digestive issues with a ton of burping for years, trying to release tension in my abdomen. Also, can tight pelvic floor cause digestive issues? Thank you

[@alsleymata7237]

Im experiencing abdominal pain after doing jump rope and ab excercise so painful

[@aryanmakwana3038]

Yesterday I started taking 50 push ups N 100 squat after few hours I started muscle strain in my left side lower rib cage ,neck,etc

[@ankurjnp5602]

I m facing same problem n tell how you treated

[@TH-xo2gk]

Me too

[@ant7222]

@@ankurjnp5602 same, did you also feel bloated and gassy afterwards,

[@ankurjnp5602]

@@ant7222 no bloating, when I do hardwork then only I feel pain

[@factguy2579]

@@ant7222 Same here man ...bloating .. don't know why..

[@madisonfax9903]

I hope you Joy this topic

[@debfreeman8506]

I have tender points in top right stomach, no stomach pain just tender to touch, can this be from lifting or strain?Hurts to move certain ways

[@tyrone1son]

Man that’s exactly how I’m experiencing pain. It’s gone from lower back to left side hip and ab muscle pain. Left leg too.

[@johnathansilva2823]

I have the same problem, left side. I get a hot burning pain in the groin and testes, which feels like I'm releasing my bowels, when I try to release the lower left quadrant. Could be inguinal canal problems.....

[@el_gabriel805]

After I did my ab workout one part of my upper ab I started to have this type of pain like if I was getting pinched every time I gently touch is what could it be?

[@c_72_shirsathvarad60]

Same here dude can you suggest what you did

[@el_gabriel805]

@@c_72_shirsathvarad60 so I figured out I was over doing my ab workout and basically I just worked out less on my abs and haven’t had that pain

[@roronoazoro4301]

I did 100 push ups,100 squats,100 situps and 20 kilometer run for 3 years *EVERY SINGLE DAY* and It's CURED

[@khalifa147258]

1 punch man lol

[@allielucie8753]

And I have had this 3 times already

[@lvega5606]

Thanks for these videos. Have you ever heard of trigger points just not releasing? It seems like no amount of applied pressure to a trigger point is doing anything to help release them. In this instance does the person get trigger point injections?

[@WizardofhealthNetResource]

hi lisa, thanks for the comment. You're right, there are times a trigger point won't release. Here's a few things to take into consideration. Also, let me know what you specifically mean by 'not releasing' so I can see if my answer actually answers your question: 1. First thing to see is if it actually IS a trigger point. Although trigger points are quite common and overlooked as a cause of pain, they can also be quickly labelled as your cause of pain when they might not be. For example, does the spot recreate the pain? Do you feel a referral of pain spreading out from that spot? And does it go down steadily in pain as you press into it for a few seconds to a minute? If so, then you have a trigger point. If not, its most likely not a trigger point. I've had patients that have 'tender' muscles in their shoulders, but I didn't get these responses. So we went into strengthening and over time that helped. I know a lot of trainers that don't care about trigger points and believe strengthening fixes everything. They are partially right. There are times when strengthening (which a lot of people, including me say you should not do before you treat the trigger point!) is the best option. 2. If you're convinced that it's a trigger point, getting it verified with an experienced professional may be the second best option. 3. Trigger points don't really 'go away'. That's why there are 2 kinds, 'latent' and 'active'. An active trigger point will be causing you the problems when you aren't pressing on them. For example, you may have regular headaches coming from trigger points. Latent trigger points will only recreate the problem when you press on them. Otherwise, you are probably not experiencing any headaches. Majority of the time, an active trigger point becomes a latent one, and doesn't necessarily disappear. 4. If you're question of 'not releasing' means that no matter how much you press, you get no relief, you may be pressing too hard, starting off with the wrong trigger point (search around it for other spots) or its not a trigger point. Again, a second opinion is best before you decide to take the route of an injection or even dry needling. Hope that helps!

[@lvega5606]

Thanks for replying! They seem to be trigger points - many, many of them - and the worst spot is all of my glute muscles. I've had several rounds of trigger point injections before, and there was usually a twitch response when injected. Problem is, my doctor I'd get them from basically quit medicine, so I've been trying to manually release them. I've tried this so many times by both pressing and also sitting on a ball or rolling the ball against the wall. Absolutely no release from what I can tell. So, it's looking like maybe some trigger points are just so knotted up that they need the needle, unfortunately. I've been to 7 other doctors in the Chicago area and none of them know how to do a real trigger point injection, even though they said they could do them. Most of them just put the needle in a random place in the muscle - not the TrP. They thought it was the Marcaine solution that releases the "tight muscles." If you happen to know of any really skilled trigger point doctors, I'm considering travelling out of state at this point to see someone who knows what they're doing. Chicago area even better, though.

[@WizardofhealthNetResource]

hi Lisa, thanks for the reply. It's good to see that you did get relief from trigger point release through injections. That helps go a long way in understanding that trigger points may be responsible. You said you can't find a good doctor that does injections in Chicago. Have you tried asking the doctor that quit on whether he knows of someone else? I would assume there would be a lot of qualified doctors in Chicago that are competent in what they are doing. Also, have you tried dry needling? It appears that conservative self treatments don't help, but dry needling may be another option.

[@lvega5606]

Wizard of Health Yeah, I tracked my old doctor down at the new place he works (doesn't work with outpatients) and left messages, but he never returned my call. I think something may have gone wrong to make him leave pain medicine and move out of state and maybe he doesn't want to talk to any old patients (or maybe he's not allowed to, I don't know). But he was so great at those injections. I did try dry needling, and the PT who did it stabbed me in a nerve and it took a couple of months to recover from. I did just make an appointment at yet another doctor, so hope he's better than the other 7 lousy physicians, but I'm not holding out much hope. But I guess all I can do is keep trying till I find another good one. I wish I could get a good recommendation from someone, but it seems like others have not had good luck either.

[@cjknbx5590]

Its helpful 100%

[@decimal_five]

Is it safe to do this with suspected ACNES or would it aggrevate the nerve?

[@xlantboi]

I don't know

[@lost_musician]

wow 👏

[@annaempire474]

Should I can it stomach muscle pull , was sitting down and all of a sudden I can’t lie down or bend …

[@allielucie8753]

What do I do because the pain is only on the front in the middle

[@Randomretros]

The abdominal muscles extend to your back?

[@nancyvanderheijden7572]

Could this also be the cause when you dont have pain but a feeling of thightness in the diafram and pressure on the chest lot of burping? Hart was checked nothing wrong

[@kol_malupitin]

Heartburn or acid reflux? I have same symtoms like 3 days now

[@nancyvanderheijden7572]

@@kol_malupitin for me i think stress was the cause

[@psfgtech]

My belly button and left in a square, it’s a tear. 3 weeks old now, ice every day. Pain meds and liquor helps

[@hooryasunder2872]

Do you get every day pain

[@benkeitz5852]

I feel a pain when I poke my ab muscles, it's specifically the second row from the top, left side. I was doing some very intense ab workouts during the week, and then found out this hurting muscle. I would feel so much better if someone could put me at ease and say it's not hernia. I really do not want to have this problem. I don't feel any lump, just a very mild pain when pusing it.

[@jaycodm1692]

Same with me to

[@benkeitz5852]

@@jaycodm1692 Hey! In my case, the pain just stopped after 2-3 weeks. Feeling normal now.

[@jaycodm1692]

Even after doing these I didn't get the results I think I takes time It's been 3 4 weeks to me having this pain and can't able to do workout of abs

[@benkeitz5852]

@@jaycodm1692 I don't recall doing these at all. I just took a break from abs workout for maybe a month even. After that I went back to them, but started slowly to work up the strenght, even if it meant just doing one set at first.

[@blydhealthfitness5683]

Ben how are you doing now? Currently going through this health anxiety as well, no lump but I do notice my belly button seems different, very small still, if it could be an Umbilical hernia it would be very minor but still some soreness after lifting, not sure if it’s my anxiety making me freak out about the whole thing or not, I could imagine a real hernia might be so much more painful but I just don’t know. It is scary

[@donkiko6708]

I get really bad abdominal pain when I’m driving the longer I drive the more the pain becomes and I start to feel my arms tingle

[@kapoof2]

should I be hearing a "crunching" sound when the trigger point releases?

[@stellajolie5972]

I’m 13 and I have ha$ stomach pain for a while now hope this helps

[@sukhvirsingh8768]

Damn magic happens

[@ladouceura]

i have hourglass syndrome and im trying to fix it however i can but idk how

[@jackyd123_8]

When im running i get this crippling pain in the right side of my abs (not a side stitch) any ideas ? Thanks

[@DamienDollah]

I used to get that but I just kept running and it went away after I conditioned more

[@Folkintherye]

I have some minor bloating, kind of a burning sensation when I press down the mid left side of abs (it you can picture a 6 pack well the pain from top to bottom packs 3 &4 . I did help dead weight patients up the day after i had done 100 sits up. Not sure if thats a hernia or pulled muscle. Also pelvic area feels tense or weak sometimes. Any ideas? Thanks

[@Folkintherye]

@@FuzzyBlueLights yeah, it was a bad abdominal strain or something . Im 38 now so maybe i need to stretch and warm up haha

[@tasnubarahman2920]

What are the other symptoms would you please share?

[@amithdasu8028]

I get muscle cramp when I do leg raise and crunches 🥺 it hurts so much how to get rid of it

[@prophecy4270]

I’m not sure what mine is but whenever I touch the skin above my stomach below chest it feels unncomfortable. Barely touching it makes me feel uncomfortable tbh. Even when my shirt barley touches it it feels uncomfortable so idk what this is. When ever I barely rub it it with my fingers feels weird and I’ve had it for a year or so.

[@B_Bodziak]

Sounds like ACNES !

[@prophecy4270]

@@B_Bodziak nah. There is like a blackish skin that’s shaped almost like a hole. Uncomfortable when I touch it

[@factguy2579]

@@prophecy4270 Same problem for me too .. gets worse when Im laying down..

[@andreisonso1538]

Go see a doctor. The heck is wrong with u people

[@jhleerph]

I have abdominal, back, shoulder and neck tightness. Been suffering for last 1.5 yrs. How do you know which is the chicken or egg? Not sure what to treat?

[@magicminutes340]

You may had vit d deficiency .. becoz i am experiencing all this ... And I've huge vitamin d deficiency .. btw how are you now ?

[@jhleerph]

@@magicminutes340 thanks for the reply. Vit D levels were low but not "deficient" by definition of clinical numbers. I am taking (and have been taking ) Rx Vitamin D. I would also suggest looking into diaphragm deficiencies/dysfunction. There is a strong link between poor breathing mechanics and chronic pain. I have been doing diaphragm exercises for a very short period of time and I do feel more relaxed (hope it's for the long haul).

[@magicminutes340]

@@jhleerph i just pray for your health.. i do understand how you are feeling now .. bcoz feeling sick for one day .. makes our day worse and here have to deal this everyday thinking next morning would be better.. all i can say have hope for best .. just think i can deal with all .. by doing your brain will not produce negative thoughts that can make your health even worse. 💕💕

[@jhleerph]

​ @Crafty candy i truly appreciate your concerns/comments/prayers. Feeling sick for months/years is doing terrible things for my mental health too. I hope you are on the road to recovery or successfully navigated it.

[@magicminutes340]

@@jhleerph yess.. i have to be fine and i will be fine .. and its compulsory.. 🥺🥺🥺🥺 And you have to too 😒😌

[@zechnascloud861]

I have pain in my lower left side of abdominal it been a month and it comes and go I did ultrasound and test my blood stool and pee but everything is normal I don't seem to know what to do

[@zechnascloud861]

It still hurts until today it been maybe 1 and 2 weeks

[@maryeam3222]

How abt now??? Did they say anything?

[@raspberry765]

Is it possible to have it only on one side

[@WoaWhat]

Yes, that is possible.

[@joshslayy3985]

WoaWhat I pulled my abdominal muscle like a month ago it still hasn’t healed I asked the doctor they said just rest but do you know what else I can do

[@isaiah784]

In the middle of my ribs I have a bump on it and it hurts any answers?

[@itsgems3029]

Maybe a hernia.

[@daliab.6521]

Did you ever find out what it was? 😭

[@user-ti5rz8td3c]

I have abdominal pain in my abs and it hurt like 6secs and its gone always like that

[@burges7777]

Same

[@Dacite6]

my abdominal muscles are so sore

[@amo_res9266]

I have miscle pain in my Stomach Area, it hurts so much when i get up when i'm lying and when i bend

[@Woke365]

Jeff Domingo massages your stomach it can help.

[@_mason_3962]

The Dominus I'm having that right now

[@amo_res9266]

Yexter 01 get well

[@alanc9525]

OMG SAAAAMMEE

[@vishnuambroz345]

same

[@murtazasyed2221]

I had back spasm for 7 years (i am 31 now) and eventually i decided perform back physiotherapy at home (i watched ton of YT videos for guidance) and it was going well for 7 months for an hour atleast regularly but suddenly while i was stretching i felt pain (its not severe but i tried to stretch again but felt a lot of pressure) in my top part of my abdomen and its been 2 months and just cant get rid of it, i hv not been able to continue with my therapy sessions i can feel pressure while i walk, sit or bend. Any idea wjat i should do? Heating abdomen will do? And should i continue stretching my back? If Anyone could help?

[@Ibrahim-qz5oo]

How are you now?

[@murtazasyed2221]

@@Ibrahim-qz5oobarely anything has changed. Besides, pain was never severe, i hv been living with it for 6 years now but i fear with age it might get worse as the time passes

[@frhnli21]

@@murtazasyed2221 find a chiropractor. He would be able to help. Try EFT too....may work....

[@barath_21]

I started doing first time semi crunches Im feeling immense pain for the past 2-3 weeks .Though the pain is reduced but i still feel the pain .during laughing, sneezing coughing ... plz some one tell me..

[@julianmora4019]

Not trying to scared you bro but might be a hernia

[@barath_21]

@@julianmora4019 thanks for reply after doing the process after above video I feel completely ok

[@neerajdwivedi1816]

when i start gym then my stomach pain and then my digestive system ie weak plz helpp

[@ELON_MUSK26]

Gym is cure for umbilical disorder

[@abisheks2769]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@tenzinlama6864]

🎉👍

[@lost_musician]

good night

[@rebeccavalen7960]

Went to the doctors think I have a hernia or ab strain. Had all the symptoms of a hernia but no lump…. They never told me what I have all they were worried about was one of my infected body piercings 🙄. Doctors aren’t helpful now a days. I always have to tell doctors what I have and they’ll tell me I’m wrong but will send any tests to another lab and then I end up being right… every time.

[@gokulkrishnan6684]

How u do now?

[@lost_musician]

happy valenstine day

[@ll-Ghozt-ll]

Mine hurts when I cough,laugh and under my bellybutton

[@Ty-ry3wh]

Mine to

[@choo9996]

Same

[@sevgi6026]

Pleass reader read ans help me! I did abs exercice trying to burn fat and not build muscle. Now i look fatter than i was before, and my stomach is hard. How do i get ride of this hardnest to my stomach?? Plz help! 😢

[@noahmcmurtry1994]

Building abdominal muscles won't make you look fat. Doing ab exercises won't burn fat, you have to be in a calorie deficit.

[@slayers2397]

Am I the only one still dying

[@peppermintwoman2049]

I would be scared this would increase or start an actual charlie horse/ spasm....no thanks

[@jimhall9103]

why can't you just say what food it is ?????? Thats annoying !!!!