abdominal strain

i may have strained an abdominal muscle on my mid/upper left front abdominal wall, about 4 fingers down from my rib cage and three over from the center of my torso, while working out on a weighted crunch machine at the gym monday. i noticed soreness after my workout and then again this afternoon. it doesnt hurt all that bad but when i poke it, its still sore. with all the talk about sports hernias these days (and hernias in general, im 47) i was wondering what prognosis/advice the resident medical types could offer. ive never had a hernia and this pain seems a little high up to be one. should i lay off the ab work for a while or what?

 

When you lay flat on your back and try to raise up, like doing a sit up, does it hurt?

 

no

 

Just sore to the touch then? I think it's muscle, but Fred will know more than me. It doesn't sound like it could be in the area of a typical hernia, but there are atypical ones. Just keep an eye (finger) on it and if it gets worse see someone. Be aware of any fever, chills etc in case it isn't even related to your workout.....
I wouldn't work out for a few days, but I wouldn't work out anyway .

This is just my opinion, I really don't have any experience with this so don't listen to me too good.

 

thanks plu. you know how your mind makes things worse. i works abs every time i step in the gym but this particular machine i havent used before and i may have overdone it a bit. i aint as young as i used to be. :banginghe

 

You are welcome, really though, I would lay off the ab stuff for a day or two and see how it goes. Just remember, any other symptoms and you probably just need to run it by a doctor. Don't expect it to be gone in a day or two, wouldn't surprise me if you are sore for a week or more. Then again, it might be gone by the time I finish typing this.
And as for being old.... all things are as they should be. At least you work out and make the best of it, good for you!