Protruding Lower Ab Area

[JennP]

In the past few months, I've noticed that my lower abdomen seems to have gone from completely flat (where you could even see the veins that run from my upper thigh to the groin area) to protruding (appears bloated to me). I saw two of my doctors last week and they both think it's a result of my lower ab and hip flexor muscles being too tight, which is forcing my stomach to stick out. Is this really possible? (My upper ab area is very flat and toned).

I have been working with a personal trainer one day a week for about 10 weeks now, and most of the time we do legs and abs. I also tend to favor reverse crunches. This makes me think they could be right, but I still think it's bloating (however, my diet hasn't changed in about 4 years).

What can I do to try to change the appearance of my lower ab area? I'm disgusted by the way it looks.

[catbaloous]

Jenn, I will take a shot at this. I know it sounds weird but have you been irregular? I get that when I am a little backed up.

[JennP]

Hi,

Thanks for your response. I started a daily dietary fiber supplement and also tried taking water pills, neither of which has made any significant difference in my appearance. Has, however, helped with other issues!

[catbaloous]

Jenn,

Another thing that helps with bloating is Fennel Tea. It doesn't taste very well because it tastes like black licorice. But it helps with bloating and gas. I got mine from http://www.helpforibs.com/teas/fennel.asp There's also some literature on there about it as well.

[JennP]

Thanks again for your response and suggestion. I will give it a try and see how I do.

[Maddyg]

I have the exact same thing happening.

I'm incredibly lean and vascular everywhere, and USED to be on my lower abdominal area.... but like you, lately, it's been 'bloated'... I've also been doing weighted sittups for the first time lately, and I blame it on the muscles inside popping out, making my stomach potrude a bit. Especially considering my diet hasn't changed, I still am regular with cardio..... drinking the same...etcetcetc.... I blame it on the weighted sittups.

As for irregularity... I don't know how much that would have to do with it. I haven't had my period in months.

[Evanak]

Jenn, I'm a male but I've had the same thing happen i think. It is a result of lodrosis in your spine. But don't panic it is very correctable with yoga type streching and cyropractor adjustments. I would highly recommend seeing a cyropractor as they specialize in these types of problems where as doctors would assess the situation and probably put you into physical therapy with no adjustments. But what your doctor is saying about the hip flexors sounds correct to me as my cyropractor told me similar things.

Notice in the pictures how the abdominals are protrudeing and the buttocks is more prominent. Lodrosis WILL cause the abdominals to protrude because of hip/back muscles being to tight not flexabile enough and not strong enough. Remember the back muscles and the abdominals are connected as the back supports the abdominals.Lodrosis can come about from different things such as bad posture or puting bad stress on the back area. I'm having very good results with the stretches Take alook at this


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003278.htm

http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...rticle215.html

[onebratt08]

I wouldn't ever trust a chiropractor with my back - that's personal opinion, but they don't go to med school, unless something's changed in the past few years. Depending on my problems, I will either see a sports med doc (an M.D.) or a massage therapist. Both can work out tight muscles to release tension on the back, legs etc. I've had my back jarred so many times from auto racing accidents and either of the 2 work for me each time.

Speaking of massage, if you think the problem is an internal blockage (i.e. constipation), massage is great for releasing toxins. It may help you relax and release that blockage!

[JennP]

You guys are giving me a lot to think about -- thank you!

Evan, is Lodrosis something that one can develop later in life or can only be born with? Since I'm only starting to notice a problem -- and have been working out about 4 years and maintaining a strict diet equally as long -- I think it's more along the lines of what Maddyg said. I guess I'll start by not doing as many lower ab exercises and stretching the hip flexors and back more. Perhaps I'll try yoga, but every time I go to a yoga class, I get frustrated. I guess I enjoy hitting my body hard with weight training and yoga just seems like a waste of time to me, which I know is so incorrect!

If it is a matter of my ab muscles being overdeveloped and forcing my stomach outward, I wonder how long it will take to correct. I'm getting tired of looking like I'm pregnant.

[Evanak]

I guess its just a matter of opinion, if you do go to a chiropractor which i recommend make sure they are reputable.

[Evanak]

Jenn, if your doctors told you its your hip flexors and abs being to tight, they are correct. I have the same issue. lodrosis is something you can develop later and life most people do. I started to notice it just like you. It can come about from doing exercises that are bad for the back, puting bad stress on the back, and haveing bad posture.

Lodrosis is very correctable with streches in most cases and it sounds like in your case it will. Like i said find a reputable chiropractor, and they should adjust you, and then start giveing you streches. Mine gave me first 1 easy set then i came back and got a harder one and finaly he gave me one with like 15 streches. Im working on them now. I have been seeing good results.
By the way when you said your tired of looking pregnant thats kind of a tip off that it is lodrosis becuase the stomach protrudes in a way to look pregnant on both men and women.

This site has some good information on the spine in general and i think they touch on lodrosis and hip flexors to.

http://www.consultingorthopedists.co...hab#Importance

[JennP]

Thanks, Evan.

Do you think you can explain some of the stretches that you think have been most helpful to you?

I recently pulled my lower back at the gym and a friend gave me the name of a chiropractor that she loves. I wasn't able to see him then, but I think I'll make an appointment.

[Evanak]

That sounds good! In terms of the streches the first set i was given included a side strech, pelvic tilt or rocks i think, and there was one other to strech the thigh i cant remember it i would have to dig up the paper, but to be honest i personaly found that one to be the least effective. I really like the plow pose i think that one is very benifical. I am just starting the most difficult set which is 18 streches! so i couldent tell you which is the best but again plow pose varients seem to be great for the back. I think this is "kundalini" yoga that i have been doing. Dont get me wrong streching alone will help alot. But i find that the adjustments seem to help alot to. I think its kind of a combination thing. By the way you may need more then one adjustment atleast i did the hip flexor kept retightening up. Its just one of those things you have to get adjusted a few times and they might even put you on this machine which you lay on that rolls from your toes all the way to your neck which helps keep your body lose. By the way i may be able to scan the streches and send them to you. But i would see what the chiropractor you see gives you.

[JennP]

Thanks again. I made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. Wish me luck!

[Evanak]

great! i hope it goes well!

[OhLea]

I agree with the back muscles being weak and having that pooch look on your stomach. Ive started working onmy lower back for the first time and Ive noticed a large difference in the way my stomach looks (more flat)

[BBjunkie]

I agree with the back muscles being weak and having that pooch look on your stomach. Ive started working onmy lower back for the first time and Ive noticed a large difference in the way my stomach looks (more flat)

I agree totally.
I started doing back hyperextensions and saw an amazing difference in my abs, it also gave me more stamina to do low ab workouts, like v ups.
Also, I started doing just Hiit cardio the last few weeks so that I don't have muscle loss for a competition coming up. I noticed a great deal of difference in the lower abs and butt. (not as much as I want but still a difference.)
Good luck

[JennP]

Thanks for your responses.

I saw a chiropractor today, and he pretty much confirmed to me that the reason my abdominal area bulges out is that I overdeveloped the muscles in that area. He was also able to adjust my lower back to fix the fact that one leg was 1/4 inch shorter than the other! Imagine.

So, I will lay off the reverse crunches for a while, add in a few back extensions, core exercises and stretches and hopefully it won't take long for me to be happy with that area again.

You guys are great. Thanks again for your advice and support!

[MissKristi]

As for irregularity... I don't know how much that would have to do with it. I haven't had my period in months.

uhhh....i think she meant #2

[Maddyg]

uhhh....i think she meant #2

Hahaha, well isn't my face red. :P

Whoopsie.
:P
Sorry for the info then!

[MissKristi]

Hahaha, well isn't my face red. :P

Whoopsie.
:P
Sorry for the info then!

lol i only know because i have the same problem