Chest Wall or Abdominal Pain

We are still learning about this type of pain, which accounts for a small percentage of patients with chronic abdominal pain. Among the common causes is a condition in which abdominal nerves become pinched or entrapped by muscles in the abdomen. In those instances, the pain tends to get worse when changing positions or tightening the abdominal muscles. The pain may feel like a dull or burning sensation in a specific area of your abdomen, usually on one side.

Diagnosis: Diagnosing abdominal wall pain can be tricky, as it can be confused with other problems. Among the diagnostic tools is a test to determine if the pain becomes worse with positional changes or increasing abdominal muscle tension. Ultrasound may also be used.