Exercise with any injury can be a painful experience -- including a torn oblique. Failure to stretch before exercising, exercise itself or participation in sports can all lead to torn obliques -- or abdominal muscles. If you suspect you have a torn oblique, contact your physician. Exercise only at the discretion of your doctor.
Oblique Tear
Your oblique muscles are the muscles that run down the sides of your abdomen. They can become torn if you fail to stretch or turn or twist suddenly during sports or participation in exercise. You will likely experience pain as soon as your injury occurs. You may experience limited movements, muscle spasms, muscle cramps and shooting pains along the sides of your abdomen. Bruising and swelling may occur. Moving your abdominal muscle will likely be difficult. Oblique tears can range from mild to severe. Rest is the common treatment for abdominal tears. You can also apply ice to your injury for 20 minutes at a time every couple of hours for the first three days after your injury. If your oblique muscle has torn completely, surgery may be required.
Low-impact Exercises
With permission from your doctor, you may participate in low-impact exercises. Low-impact exercises provide you with a complete workout with placing stress on your body. Low-impact exercises can include swimming, an elliptical machine, cycling or walking on a treadmill. Participate in low-impact exercises as tolerated. Start out slow and work your way to 30 minutes of physical activity per day, the National Academy of Sports Medicine recommends.
Exercises to Avoid
As a general rule of thumb, never complete an exercise if it causes you any pain. You are going to want to avoid exercises that require the use of your abdominal muscles -- including pushups, planks, situps and weight lifting. Avoid high-impact exercises, which are strenuous and can take a toll on your body. High-impact exercises include sports participation, running and some aerobics. Wait to perform these exercises until you are pain free.
Prevention
Torn oblique muscles can be prevented. Stretch before participating in exercise or sports. Warming your muscles up can help make them more flexible and prevent of overuse injuries. Perform side twists and side bends before participating in any activity. Complete one set of 20 repetitions for each exercise. When performing exercises, make sure you are using proper form to avoid injury. If you experience pain while exercising, discontinue the exercise.
References
- "Essentials of Personal Fitness Training"; National Academy of Sports Medicine; Scott Lucett; 2008
- Royal Netherlands Lawn Tennis Association: Abdominal Muscle Strain
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