Torn Oblique Muscle; Recovery?

[M. G.]

Reading the post on Abdominal Cramps made me wonder if anybody's ever experienced a torn oblique muscle?

I occasionally get cramping feelings in my far right abdominal muscles, too early into my ab workout for it to be normal fatigue.
This happens only occasionally (though last one was this week).

A guy in my gym said it sounds like a torn oblique muscle; he suggested not doing any ab work for 4-6 weeks to let it recover.

I don't want to do that, but also don't want cramps on my 6th rep of crunches either.

Any suggestions out there? Has anybody else experienced anything like this?

[MiloMan]

Originally posted by M. G.
A guy in my gym said it sounds like a torn oblique muscle; he suggested not doing any ab work for 4-6 weeks to let it recover.

What are this guy's qualifications? What gives his opinion enough importance to merit your consideration?

[IPR]

I also get cramp in my oblique occasionally when I twist to pick up my notebook between sets when sitting on a bench. Nothing like the ab cramps, just a twinge. I'm sure I don't have a torn oblique though, so if its the same I wouldn't worry.

[M. G.]

Milo Man....the guy who told me it sounds like a torn oblique has no qualifications I know of; that's why I posted the question.

If it becomes excrutiating or interferes with normal activity I'll see a doctor. Still, it's frustrating that I get occasional cramping only on my right side early into an ab workout.

A few years ago I saw a neurologist with severe pain & weakness in my left shoulder, radiating down my arm. I had some nerve/spinal damage that forced me to use strict form, control, etc., and to balance weight between my left & right sides for any upper-body exercise. My left side became weaker than my right. That makes it especially frustrating to have this cramping in my right abdominal area (and not the left).

If nothing else.....it's hell getting old!

[Charger]

Originally posted by M. G.

If nothing else.....it's hell getting old!

I'll second that! MG, use this as a guide, all pain is your bodys way of telling you something. Like after a hard leg workout, two days later your bodys saying, what did you do to my legs? Ouch!
So really, if you tear something, your body is going to tell you, and you won't need to wonder, it will tell you real loud. Another words you will know. Chances are you are out of balance somewhere, you may consider seeing a Chiropractor.

[M. G.]

Thanks Charger; great advice. Next time I feel pain on my right side after doing 5 crunches, I'm heading to the chiropractor.

It may be nothing (hopefully!), but pain IS the body's way of telling us something.

Congratulations again on "300 Club" sir; I hope to join you one day. Best wishes for a healthy & prosperous 2003!

M.G.

[IPR]

MG, there does seem to be a correlation here between left shoulder/back and now right oblique. These are opposing locations and it may be that you are compensating as Charger suggested.

Many years ago I strained the ligaments on the inside of my right knee. I would get bad cramps in my calf after this which was me subconsciously tightening up whenever I went round a corner trying to avoid strain on the ligaments.

What I'm trying to say is, we don't always realise we are doing it.

[M. G.]

Thanks IPR. This makes sense; I never really connected the 2;
After I read your post, I did an experiment. I picked up 2 dumbells I have here at the house & did a few movements (seated & standing military press), concentrating on how my back & midsection moved as I picked up the weights. It was obvious I'm using my right abdominals more than my left - something that was never clear to me before!

I've been so focused on my left shoulder, neck & traps that I never noticed I'm overcompensating with my right lower back & abs.

I'll get this checked out. Thanks both of you (Charger & IPR) ;
I feel stupid I never noticed this before; hopefully it's nothing serious; still, I thought I was concentrating on good form the past 2 1/2 years & obviously haven't!

I really appreciate your pointing this out to me!

M.G.

I'm going to get this checked out.

[tomkloske]

Reading the post on Abdominal Cramps made me wonder if anybody's ever experienced a torn oblique muscle?

I occasionally get cramping feelings in my far right abdominal muscles, too early into my ab workout for it to be normal fatigue.
This happens only occasionally (though last one was this week).

A guy in my gym said it sounds like a torn oblique muscle; he suggested not doing any ab work for 4-6 weeks to let it recover.

I don't want to do that, but also don't want cramps on my 6th rep of crunches either.

Any suggestions out there? Has anybody else experienced anything like this?

Yes, I have. I even had "surgery" for this condition, it was very painful!

[Pauliepl]

Tom where did u do ur surgery? I live on Toronto Canada and been suffering with this injury for 2 years and counting now. They finally found on an ultrasound a small gr 1 intramuscular external oblique tear. Exrusiating pain Pls email me advice at navin_enterprises_ltd@hotmail.com
thx so much
nav

[Bando]

Wow, someone knows how to use the search function. Don't think it's gonna work out in this case though.