This a fantastic and informative article, thank you. I have recently been diagnosed with this, I have spent the last 5 month in incredible discomfort and pain in my chest, throat and stomach. I have had numerous tests and pills to alleviate my symptoms via private health and it gave me little if zero relief. I then turned to my clinical massage therapist and it was he who noticed the unusual band of tightened muscle around my waist. I also had inflamed intercostal muscles on my left side. After one session of working on the fascia and abdominal work, I feel so much better. I have also worked a lot on my abdominal breathing. I used Ibuprofen gel and ice on my intercostal muscles, this eased after a week.
I realise I have a long road ahead of retraining my body but at least I can now feel things changing for the better.

I think i have been stomach gripping from the last 2 years. It has had devastating effects on my physical and mental health.
My symptoms include-
Feeling of a lot of tightness in upper abdominals near the diaphragm.
Feeling of dropping of lower abdo muscles. This feeling is so much that i have to put something around my lower abdominals to support them, so that i dont feel like they are falling .
When i am sitting, i feel alot of pressure/weight on my diaphragm as if the weight of my upper body is dropping on it. When this happens, my head gets heavy and i get a headache as well.
When i am standing, mostly i feel like my lower abdominals are falling and i feel a pressure kind of sensation in the middle part of my belly as if lower abdominal area hanging from that point.
I have breathing issues
I have very weak bladder. I have to go to toilet so many times a day. I cant stop my pee. As soon as i have the sensation, i have to go unless i cant control it. I feel too much pressure
My pelvic floor muscles have gone weak
My core has gone weak.
I am not able to live my life properly
I am under constant stress from the last 2 years.
My movements have gone slow in a way cause i just dont wanna move from a position as i dont wanna move my stomach.

Lastly, i dont think i stomach grip as much now as j have become conscious of it, but i feel the muscles imbalance has grown too much between my upper and lower abdominals which is causing me the issue and also i believe my brain is not sending the right signals to my upper abdominal muscles by keeping it on all the time.

Does anybody else has these symptoms. If yes, please tell me what has helped you. I will forever be grateful to you.

I swear this condition is killing me.!!!!!!!!

I am suffering from chronic back, hip and pelvis pain for the past 6 years. From last year it got severe and it affects my daily life in a extreme way but mri doesn't show anything even doctors said there is no problem and one physio said you might have muscle problem and another physio said that I have a psychological problem but no one is understanding my pain but now I realised that I have been a stomach gripper for more than 10 years and now I can feel the my upper abdomen muscle are stiff and painful if pressed. Maybe this is a reason for my pain. I gonna start taking your advice but my pain is severe so I need any other guidance... thanks

I feel I have been doing this since an abdominal surgery. And has worsened due to some digestive system disorders. I came online originally to figure out what a bunch of symptoms could be, and ended up here.. hmmmm. I'm grateful to this forum, I will talk to my Dr now. Thank you everyone for all the data and making me feel,not so isolated.

This is so helpful - I have had a stressful few months and have these exact symptoms. I have a strong core after years of exercise, but I have been more sedentary recently following an illness, and these symptoms have developed over recent weeks. My wife noticed my posture has changed. I am seeing a physical therapist next week, but I will try the suggested exercises.

This was a game changer for me. I’m guessing I’ve done this since teenage. 50 years. Stand up straight, pull your stomach in. For two years I’ve had discomfort in my abdomen, across my back and up into my throat. I had every test- gastroscopy, colonography, diagnosis of heart attack, esophageal spasms. After I read this article I went to my local cranial osteo who did VERY deep tissue massage on my abdomen between the ribs. That helped. Then I decided to really work on relaxation of the muscles. I also increased my omeprasol for acid reflux. I’m now starting to reduce the medication as I have no symptoms. Thank you for this article. I’ve been sharing it with others.

Just recently noticed I have been clenching my stomach for at least 10 years to hide my belly.

I’ve had issues with GERD, and now dealing with a strange chest tightness and gnawing just below my ribs under the sternum, that gets worse when I sit straight and relax my stomach, or I lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling.

I was thinking it could be an issue with my lower esophageal sphincter, but I am trying to relieve it is muscular, and clenching my stomach may be the reason.

I’ve made lifestyle changes that I believe have made it better, but if I don’t improve completely in the next couple of months, I will seek medical attention and mention my constant stomach clenching.

Thank you for bringing this issue to light!

-Frank

Yes I guess I am a stomach gripper! It makes since now! I think mine may be to the extreme! I actually walk around hunched over. The painful catch feeling in my stomach, is that caused by gripping or is that the gripping?

I've been in pain for months! I thought it was acid and I've been popping tums (which never helped!) I tried your relaxation techniques last night and since then I have been pain free!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if Stomach Gripping is what i have. I cant really understand what its saying. But 7 years ago i was diagnosed with GERD and was prescribed Omeprazole 20g. I had an endo done 2 years ago and they found a hiatal hernia. I have had ongoing stomach and back pain for years. But over the last year i have noticed that every time i lean forward onto my elbows my stomach instantly knots up. its not painful, but its uncomfortable. Is this stomach gripping?

This article was very helpful, after ER visits 5 times this week with bradycardia and shortness of breathe with noticeable stomach gripping that is subconscious. Doctors believe affecting my vagus nerve, maybe causing sinus bradycardia. Hopefully the stomach clenching is it, and not sick sinus syndrome. It seems most likely! All CT MRI and ekg etc normal. Thanks! Ps do not quit caffiene suddenly, thinking you have a heart problem, only adds to the bradycardia due to adenosine running rampant in my body!

Does stomach gripping cause abdominal muscles spasms?

Thank you for your article, I am also having above symptoms, which lab test is prefferable to identify the stomach gripping

Sir which test is preferable to identify stomach gripping

Hi
I m suffering a lot due to such kind of problem, I feet my stomach is displaced may be to hiatus hernia though it is not seen in barium swallow xray
I can barely live , my stomach and abdominal wall feel collapsed, feel everything is being sucked inside
I can’t burp and feel suffocated
What can I do to at least get some relief

Monika

Help…If what I have is this hourglass stomach gripping syndrome screwed up thingy, mine is on steroids.
I’m going to try and “nutshell” a little history, although my Daddy always told me that my “nutshells” tend to turn into bulk size containers of peanut butter.
Ok. Overweight beginning middle school. Topped out 200 lbs freshman high school. (Oh, Female was 5’ 6” …now I “measure in” at 5’ 1”…IKR?) This girl started sophomore yr high school at 130 lbs. Not eating enough and a Jane Fonda cassette that I used making up how I thought each exercise was supposed to be done. Here begins a cycle of weight fluctuations 130 to 155 to 140 to 150 to 125 to 135….. always with some kind of intermittent exercise, walking, step aerobics, free weights, biking, etc. until I was 29. At 29, a new job for the husband (boyfriend from freshman yr that my sister said I better lose weight if I wanted to keep. Hah! Irony and just hah is all I have about that at this moment) took us to SC. He says “You don’t have to teach now. You just stay home. We won’t have to work around schedules to do stuff, go places, etc.” His job-2nd shift.
*One moment please•••
ALL THE SINGLE LADIES READING THIS —Do not give up your career for the man okay? Okay. Cause divorce was never in my plans until I was told about it after having a lovely baby girl who has severe autism and epilepsy. She is a lovely 15 yr old baby girl and she is my ❤️ on two legs.
Okay, continuing. 29 , no job left me like, “OMG, what? What do people do when they don’t work? Soo, keeping our home, cooking, baking, and getting fit became my “work”. And I became damn good at my job. 5’6” 115 lbs is credited to Jillian Michaels, Mari Windsor Pilates, free weights, elliptical trainer, hiking (Grandfather Mountain once in hurricane force winds— apparently we started just before they closed the trails. I seriously would squat down real fast when the wind would gust because it felt like I was gonna be blown off my feet. Not what you want that high up on that mountain. My husband finally turned around like “what’s up with you?” He laughed and came and tucked my hood inside my hoodie lol), and still some good old step aerobics. I was freaking fit. Oh, and the guy’s that my husband worked with loved me cause I sent baked yummy stuff to them. I was in the best shape I’d ever been in from about 30 right on thru my pregnancy at 37.
Post pregnancy: Wait, pre pregnancy —had difficulties getting pregnant, exploratory surgery-3 incisions, 1 thru naval (ovary scraped from pelvic floor. Awful back pain when I woke, my doctor standing right close saying, “Maggie, you’re gonna be ok, let explain why your back hurts so much”.
She estimated I had very likely lived with endometriosis from teen years (I told my step mom my cramps were really bad SMH). Boiled down, I had all 4 stages of endometriosis all over. Old stuff, apparently about like tree bark, and current and very active shedding monthly, wherever it had made a home.
I put this stuff in so that once I explain my debilitating whatever that’s contouring my body, there might be something that could be contributing?? Oh I don’t know.
Let’s go post pregnancy now. I had planned on getting back to exercise as soon as safe and doable, however, my girl, she was unlike any baby I’d ever cared for, and I was a nanny for numerous families while finishing my degree in Elementary Education. This was MY BABY! So this was very hard in so many ways. My not being able to get back to Jillian and Mari was low on my list of concerns. Endometriosis still wreaking having—when my girl was
18 months, I had complete hysterectomy +appendix (covered in endometriosis tree bark)+scraping of some of the yuck from in there. Huge upside! My doctor worked alongside another doctor who has begun doing hysterectomies without opening the abdomen and agreed that they would work together, back thru the navel (I don’t know…they dissect and make small. No incision, that I knew). Recovered quickly.
Got my sweet girl’s diagnosis of autism around 2yrs of age. Therapists in-home, therapies outside the home, reading, researching, doctors, then…the seizures. One ambulance ride, they had to breathe for my baby girl to keep her alive. You never get something like that out of your head, your heart, your soul. Never. And then there’s self harm (3 investigations by child services—cleared obviously, but still devastating and terrifying). So no. It’s been 16 years since I’ve been able to really take care of this body I live in. In fact, I was tested several years ago and diagnosed with severe narcolepsy and fall seizures (broken nose, fractured spine, craniotomy…a lot of falls).
Going way, way back for a min. 19 years old or so, I leaned, kind of too far out to pick up my 3 year old nephew and holding him mid air, tried not to scream, got someone to grab him because I couldn’t move at that moment. I felt like a hot spear had ripped thru a little to the right of my spine, pain across lower back, more concentrated on right. By lower back, it effects lower back, but very painful, like if my hands were on my pelvic bone then the other hand in the back across from that hand. Oh boy. As lower back goes in to butt cheek. Ummm. Ok, here’s this. 15 years after that happened,(all the while, intermittent pain, sometimes put me out of commission, but I never swept the floor, vacuumed, anything bending, without discomfort) an “old school” chiropractor who could work magic when I could barely walk, took some
X-rays, ran me thru some movements and tests and said I had separation of the sacroiliac joints. Said left side, just slight, but it was the right side that was causing the most pain.
Now, I research things. My Daddy used to call me “20 questions” when I was growing up. So, I’m thinking that because of that low back pain, in order to keep moving and relieve it a little, I tucked my butt. For years I’m thinking. So posterior pelvic tilt? I think.
This is ridiculously long. I just don’t know what might kind of be part of a whole picture of what I’m going to try to explain. It’s awful. Just awful.
Ok, let’s see. First 5’6” to 5’1”. I had not had my height measure in years. I just knew that my ex husband and my boss (family friend-he’s not the boss of me lol) kept saying things like “sit up straight”, “why are you leaning over like that?”, “Maggie, honey, your posture was so much better when I met you and over the years. Why do you hunch over all the time now?”
Nice right? And all I knew to say was “I go thru every day battling gravity. I have to press down on the edge of a counter top to get a good breath and to take the weight of this bowling ball in my gut away “.
Now, I have a crease across my abdomen but it’s higher than you hear with the hourglass syndrome. By crease, it feels like someone has sutured, with Gore-Tex, from the inside across that line and it works on a pulley. Depending on what I do, even how much of a hurry I have to do things in, and definitely raising my arms at all. Lifting any thing with a little weight to it, I have to battle not to just become a person walking around with my head somewhere around my knees. Seriously, it will physically tighten or pull so intensely that, I don’t know how to explain it. I cry. When my girl’s not here. I scream, I get angry, frustrated. And it has gotten so far out of control and the thing is, I don’t know what I did to get here. You know, belly button to spine…Mari Pilates, but that was a very conscious action, I knew when to do it, I knew how, it wasn’t “sucking in”. It became a very familiar muscular movement done with intensive purposes when I engaged. Where this crease is I wouldn’t think could be caused or effected by “sucking in”.
This is sad and it sickened me but it was when I realized, ok, this is not exhaustion or JUST physical, something is going wrong in various areas. I was sent to a doctor by my heart doctor (heart doctors can request sleep latency test for narcolepsy, or refer, whatever it’s called. IDK I found it interesting) another doctor, not sleep lab, to rule out lupus. That doctor wasn’t caring about no lupus, he wanted to know what is with your back? Found out about 5’1” at that appt. Oh, and fractured spine because he wasn’t letting me outta there without X-rays of my back. Sad part. The girl says, “ok, I want you to just raise your arms straight up above your head. I start to do it, I CAN’T without it bending me forward/pulling the crease back, that bowling ball weight, it just crumpled me. She pulled down a bar from above me and said sweetly, “it’s ok, just hold on to this bar”. And she raised it, you know, to however she needed me to be for the X-ray.
There’s more I think I’ve put together, could be wrong. My esophagus is closed. Well, not completely obviously but one of my hospital stays they were asking health questions so I told them about my “heart attacks” on the right side though (serious pain, all I ever said through 17 hours of back labor was “this is intense”, so yeah, my right side heart attacks hurt like hell). Well, my heart was great, so esophagus next. All these little cups of stuff that I wasn’t really looking forward to lined up with a machine to take pictures. I drank a little of the first little cup, X-ray, one person looks at it, calls somebody in, 2nd person looks, tells me, drink another swallow of this one. X-ray, 3rd person called in, looking at X-ray, here, drink the last bit of this first cup. X-ray. “Ok, we’re gonna stop there. The doctor is going to want to do, I forget the name of the test, to see what’s going on with your esophagus. No point in you drinking any of these because that first cup is just dripping thru.”
Huge hernia. And I just know it’s connected. I’ve had that test before and didn’t have a hernia. I was fine, everything was good.
This is a humongous bulk bucket of peanut butter. I’ve never been able to “nut shell” anything. When I tell someone about a movie, I talk longer than it takes to watch the movie.
Oh, why haven’t I been to see my “old school” chiropractor? He passed away. Haven’t gone anywhere else because, well, lost insurance. Did I mention single mother of my miracle girl with severe autism? Yeah, and narcolepsy and driving to a job you can get really don’t go hand in hand. I do a little work from home for my boss who’s not the boss of me lol. I roll on my exercise ball often just to stretch that area of my abdominal crease out, if I could live on it, I would. I use an exercise band to stretch chest area which feels incredible and I do a couple of things with it like rows to try and work those muscles between my shoulder blades. A lot of times, if I have just a minute to, I’ll just simply tighten then it clinch, you know, pull them together. No band, just a minute of time so, clench, and clench…
If anyone is still reading, God bless you! And if you’ve got any ideas…please.
Thank you for taking your valuable time to read. Really. Thank you.

Maggie again, I know I’m like, in SC, but your sure and information on gripping is the only one I read that made the most sense to me as far as some of my issues. But if stomach gripping is what this is, I’d say I’m a very extreme case.

Hey, if I stop stomach gripping, would my hourglass go away? I already don't really like my stomach, could I maybe achieve the same results with working out? I just can't imagine loosing my hourglass shape..

Oh my goodness. This is exactly what I have been suffering from for a while. I have gripped my stomach for a couple months. And now when I let my stomach out I feel really dizzy, but when I stuck in I feel better. But the thing is I'm pregnant now and I can't stuck my stomach in anymore. How can recover from this.I want my stomach back the way it was without feeling dizzy. Help please. Thanks

I'm 5'2 I can not sit in a chair with my feet touching the ground unless I perch on the edge with no back support, I engage my core all day, could this be the cause of my pain? I think I have what you describe it is constant pain until I lie down and take deep breaths

I have all of those symptoms and it has actually affected my great Omentum. Hiatal hernia acting up and guarding under left rib cage. Lower back pain horrible. I will book and appointment. Thank you for explaining this. I may be able to go for walks and ski again some dat

Hi I am a 40 yr. old woman and like most have been taught to suck in their stomach. It wasn't until after I gave birth to my twins via c-section that I noticeably saw a change in my body and how I felt. My body seems to be off put in that I mean I feel like im shaped like the letter s, I tend to carry more weight on my right side and now in my more recent years Ive developed vertigo. Im not sure if there is any connection there but as of today I am recovering from an episode of shortness of breath severe back and side pain and constipation all stemming from stress. Could all of this be in some relation? It has been affecting my quality of life and I could really use some advice and direction if possible!!

I seem to have something like this, but only when I stand. When I lay down my stomach is completely relaxed, but then as soon as I stand my upper abdomen just tightens up and it feels painful. What would be your thoughts on this?

I have been doing this since my teenage years or early 20s. I’m now in my 60s. I was very thin as a child but had a protuberant abdomen for reasons unknown to me. As I got older, I grew self conscious and started sucking it in all the time. I now have a small hiatal hernia, reflux and digestive issues, as well as pelvic floor issues with a small rectocele. I’ve been noticing for years my upper abdomen protruding to the point that it causes a big wrinkle or fold at the top of my rib cage and decided to google and was led to this discussion. It’s good to finally know the cause of this so hopefully I can accomplish reversal. Thank you so much for the helpful info!

i’m 17 and i’ve been doing this for years when i stop it feels like i can’t breathe in all the way and i get dizzy a lot what do i do i don’t know if it’s caused by anxiety or the stomach gripping

Hello,
I never used to grip my stomach, but I injured my back and I continue working through my pain. It's almost like my stomach muscles are in overdrive, trying to help my bad/weak back. It's caused me to think it was a digestive problem, but I have come to realize that my stomach doesn't hurt when I can get it to relax.

Hiya, is upper abdomen and upper back ache common with this? Ive been having an anxiety disorder for 5 months now and recently noticed this ache and around my ribs sometimes too. But constant in my upper stomach with tenderness to touch. Ive noticed im holding my stomach tense all the time, cant seem to relax it. Stomach is fine when i first wake up but gets worse through the day. Could this be the cause of the ache?

This article makes sense. I have always had stomach problems. Just had a Endoscopy that showed a Hiatal Hernia and a polyp. I also have Sjogrens and I cough a lot especially while eating. I will end up with vomiting and severe mid back pain that takes my breath away. It is difficult to get my stomach muscles to relax .

I am a lifelong stomach gripper to hide my belly. I have neck and back pain and gerd. I am 67 years old and would like to learn how to relax my belly and breathe better. The exercise given is hopefully a good start.

Hi Mary,
I'm not sure if you'll see this message. I read your comments about your symptoms, particularly the tightness/discomfort around your upper stomach. I have the same and can't be diagnosed or find help. Have you found any help/relief?

I have been struggling with this so much. I am overweight, and because of the rib gripping, my body fat is distributed in very strange ways that leave me feeling very self-conscious.
I do regular stretches and try to improve my posture to help correct the issue, but I fear I may be too far gone.
It is very painful in the ribs. I can't bend over too far because the pain is excruciating in my ribs.
My doctor just told me to take ibuprofen :(
I don't know if this issue would go away with weight loss or not, but it's not a good time.

Hello. I began to feel my stomach tightening each time I stood up and especially while I was walking about four years ago; it got progressively worse over the years and now I have severe tightness in my neck that accompanies my stomach gripping whenever I walk with my arms at my side. It has gotten to the point that I cannot climb stairs or walk up an incline unless I place my hands on my hips or in my pockets to support my body as I am ascending. I find it difficult to breathe when I am walking or climbing, because my abdominal muscles pull so tightly, along with my straining neck muscles. I have acid reflux and that has also been kicking in along with my stomach gripping when I walk.
I recently had an abdominal biopsy taken to determine if this is a form of muscle or neurological myopathy. This scenario has been affecting my life tremendously. I am not experiencing any pain however, just extreme, involuntary contractivity of my abdominal and neck musculature upon trying to maintain an erect posture. What are your thoughts, as I await the results of my biopsy? Thank you so much.

Hi, cannot believe I found this! For many years I have suffered with debilitating lower back pain. I am not 37 but have had back pain for 16 year.
I now have neck spasms and neck tension constantly for the last 3 years.
It's only since I visited an Osteopath I realised just how bad my stomach clenching is. I know I have always done it but I actually assumed it was normal, and that most other people did the same.
It feels so hard to let my stomach release, and so unnatural.
I cannot believe this is even a thing and I'm only realising now! Thank you.
Shelly

Me to T… I wake up and it feels my stomach is glued to my back it hurts wildly .. I started to breath using lower diaphr it loosened up already. Thanks I need to see a primary so I can see. Specialist

I recognise these signs. Neck pain. Lower back pain. I have what feels like a tight band around the front bottom of ribcage (diaphragm) around in a circle to the back. My bottom ribs on both sides are sore. Drives me insane.

I sub-consciously hold my stomach. The child's pose in the article is helping especially when done for longer periods. What are the more advanced exercises?

This describes me exactly. Over the years I have had neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain and years of digestive problems. Gall bladder removal 4 years ago gave me around 6 months of relief from the gripping sensation around my lower ribs but this came back again. Numerous scans and endoscopies show nothing and I continue to suffer functional dyspepsia with sensation of stomach not emptying particularly later in the day. Can only eat small amounts before feeling full. Also suffer lots of stomach twitching and spasming after eating and when hungry which can trigger ectopic heart beats and sometimes a rapid pulse. Not currently taking any medication and the only thing that seems to help is regular gentle exercise, stretching and deep breathing which helps to calm the vagus nerve. More GPs should know about this. Excellent article.

Hi, I've constantly been having food come in my mouth, and I have some symptoms that you have listed above. I just want to make sure that the issue that I'm facing is GERD. So this has been happening for a month, I have chest pains randomly, not too severe, on a scale of 1 to 10, I would consider the pain a 1. The chest pains also happen when I take deep breaths. I also feel like the food I eat is coming to my mouth or I am going to vomit. Another issue is that when I bend forth and then stand up straight again, I get a feeling of my stomach being pinched. I also burp very often nowadays. The chest pain mentioned earlier just fades away on its own and travels to my upper back, upper abdomen, or my shoulder. It's really scary since I've always been in good shape. So to control this I started taking omeprazole 20 and Gas Ex, which was prescribed by a doctor and am constantly drinking water, how can I fix this problem.
Thank you for your advice,
regards

I started having pains below my sternum which then moved laterally along the ribs and reached the spine. By the time I saw the doctor the pains had gone, but she prescribed Lansoprazole for a month, which I took. This left me with a sense of emptyness and suction from inside my stomach and a tightness and heaviness at the bottom of the sternum. I have seen a nutritionist in the past circa 3 months who has put me on the paleodiet and a number of gut and other supplements. In the meantime I have had an endoscopy which has found a sliding hiatus hernia. The diet has not improved the sensation of suction and emptyness in my stomach. These symptoms improve when I eat but return again, as if the stomach needs to be active all the time. Do you think I suffer from the gripping condition that you describe? What do you suggest I should do to improve?

I have been for many tests for stomach and back pain and all come back negative I can only think that stomach gripping is the cause I have been doing it for many years unbeknown
All the symptoms seem to correspond to the above can your GP prescribe pain relief I have taken all sorts of medication I have been treated for IBF to consterpation and still suffer pains help

Hi Steffan,
This is an amazing article. I have this! And I literally have no way of describing what I've been experiencing for most of my life to my doctors. It is miserable. Unfortunately there are no DNS practitioners in my state. Do you have any other suggestions as to how to get this treated ??? Thank you so much!!!

I don’t have this condtion but I have bulimia. Can bulimia cause this??

I have done this for years and was alerted to it when I was told I have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. I also have severe GERD as well as back problems. I’m curious could this also be due to sex traumas, rape or molestation? This is the first time I have ever heard of the diagnosis for this.

I am shocked! Literally have been googling things on and off for years. Tonight, I pick up my phone and Google stomach tightness and saw the anatomic pic and it drew me in. I have the line, I have GERD - where it seems nothing helps but maybe mitigating my diet and portion size but sometimes that doesn't help either. I have definitely been the person for years and years that would walk around erect with my upper muscles engaged. People would compliment me on my posture. I recently had a gallbladder surgery due to stones. I thought everything went away, as for a couple months everything was relaxed and normal then it started rearing its ugly head again. Now it's ridiculously uncomfortable and can wake me up at night with mega burning and pain. I get some relief when stretching, when I take deep belly breathes (that feels so good) but I have to be in a half laying down position to be able to get a good one in otherwise it's like my body doesn't know how to do it. The stomach gripping is so automatic, there are times I ask myself why I'm tightening my upper ab muscles bc at this point all it does is cause discomfort to the point it really interferes with my day bc it's uncomfortable but also bc of the GERD. I was about to go through a bunch of testing but knowing this, I think I need a DC. I don't have a DNC local unfortunately. It's good to know it's not in my head and can be reversed. Recently I started Nexium but Bentyl has helped a great deal. I'm not a med person so the first thing I want to do is figure it out so I can fix it and get off these things. Any advice is accepted. Thank you!!

After noticing and fixing stomach gripping, will it affect the way the intestines digest? I mean since I've been doing it for most of my life, my abdominal area is used to the pressure and contraction of the muscles, so now that I am relaxing it all the time does it cause other symptoms to occur?

I never knew this was a medical issue. My mother used to force me to suck in my stomach constantly. She called it "thinking" and now i have the area under my breasts that I'm hella insecure about because it doesn't look right.

Hi, I have an hourglass figure, but around 15-16 I started doing hundreds of sit-ups a day and I’m not sure if that’s caused the upper abdominal muscles to stick out. There is an obvious dip in my stomach and I’m now 34 and it just won’t go away. I tried losing more weight to see if it would go, but it hasn’t. Is there anyway to get rid of this? My mum is an hourglass and had a very flat stomach and I did before I started doing so many sit-ups. I do struggle with anxiety and depression and have suffered with panic attacks and I have noticed recently a lot of tension around my upper abdominals. Is there anyway of reversing this? It’s really bothering me now because I feel like whenever I bend, even though I’m thin, it makes me look bigger. I’m worried about doing any other exercises with my stomach, just incase I make it worse.

Hello , I’m reaching out because last year I had major reflux which gave me esphogitis. I was given ppi’s and told I’d be using them the rest of my life. After a while it stopped with my taking supplements and doing various exercises. It has recently returned, but only stomach gurgling for a week. Also discomfort that came and went. I’ve been holding in my gut for years , very heavy into bodybuilding. I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist in a week and am concerned I’ll just be given ppi’s again, and sent on my way. I’m in PA and very interested in being seen , by someone who actually knows what their talking about. If state insurance is an issue , I’m willing to pay cash and travel to New Jersey. Please if you would , advise me on any options I may have .

Hi, I’ve been self-conscious of my weight since I was in 3rd grade, and I’ve always just sucked in out of habit, even before reading this article, I was sitting there just doing random stuff with my muscles flexed. I always wondered why I have the larger portions of skin on my rib cage, and it’s apparently this. I feel cheated in life because now I’m in 9th grade and 15 and now I will probably never be able to recover from this 6+ year bad habit. I’ve always watched what I’ve ate, and I’m even 6’0 ft, but I still feel inadequate with myself and Even though I work out every other day, I just can’t lose like 20 lbs in one day, and I tbh am sick of having back problems and having my stomach muscles form bad. I feel like the American education system messed up by not telling me at an earlier age about this and what it would lead to because I probably wouldn’t have all the spinal and body image problems that I do now. Good luck to everyone else in the comments, feel better.

I’ve been clenching my stomach muscles for 21 years didn’t know it could have effects like this. I’ve always felt like I can’t take a full breath and in the last three years I’ve developed very bad headaches that never go away and just a year ago I started to have severe neck pain on top of headaches. I’m scheduled to see a neurologist for my c7 I believe but I was wondering if I should bring this up if u think this could be a factor in what’s causing my pain?

I must have been sucking my stomach in for years and never knew it would cause this. Now I'm almost 30 and have gerd with barretts esophagus. I'm hoping these stretches help.

Hello I am from India. I have this problem for more than 12 years. Sometimes it's absolutely normal. Sometimes I have a feeling that something is stuck below my left rib. I had my endoscopy done in 2008. That time it was informed that diaphragm is slightly red. Thereafter couple of times barium x-ray was done but nothing was seen. I think It's something like hiatus hernia or is enlarged spleen. I am confused. After reading this article I feel my breathing is wrong.But I have not understood exact pattern mentioned in your article. Can you please elaborate it.

I’m not sure what’s worse, the breathing problems i’ve been left with or that I used to think the “second boobs” was a defect with my ribs and that they stuck out too much causing that look. Little did I know it was because I sucked in my stomach from the age of 7/8 until now at 26. The back problems and constant tense neck muscles make sense now. We were so little and so impressionable, I always see my 4 year old “sucking in her gut” when I try to put her pants on (ones with buttons) and I always tell her she doesn’t have to do that. If the pants can only be buttoned by sucking in your gut then they no longer fit and that’s okay! I always try to remind her that she’s a little kid growing really fast and it’s normal for her clothes not to fit the same all the time either. I try really hard as a mom of 2 girls to remind them our tummy and body shapes change from day to day from all kinds of minor things. If I had guidance like that I think I would be much better off. A lot of parents think their kids are overweight when it’s just normal childhood growth. There are periods when infants get wider but don’t get taller! Then they spend 6-12 months only growing taller but not really putting on weight! It’s NORMAL and it’s NATURAL!

Hi I have this I think. I have the crease in the abdomen and tightness in the belly and back. It’s fine if I’m rested off my feet but after an hour or so on my feet the muscles indicated with red arrows get tight and I have slot of discomfort but I wouldn’t say pain. I also get headaches. I’ve had X-rays and ct scans and mri. And all normal.

Wow, my mind is blown! And that takes some doing! I was born with some health issues that put me on the alternative health pathway my whole life. Naturally, I'm drawn to articles such as this. Seeing this one has been eye-opening for me. I lived through the 80's which of course, glamorized the hourglass figure. Which I proudly attained, unknowing of the cost. Until now, I'd been under the impression that an hourglass figure had been something I should be proud of regardless of how I felt. Now I'm rethinking this. So it sounds like a woman really isn't supposed to have a narrow waist like that after all, right? Are the exercises I've seen women doing that seem to widen the waistline (i.e, planking) actually better or worse for the diaphragm? What stomach-flattening/strengthening exercises would you recommend to strengthen overall gut health?

Thanks for this article, Steffen! I was a dancer growing up and as I’ve gotten older (I’m in my mid-20s) I’ve developed all of these symptoms and the physical appearance that comes from this. I am based in Minnesota in the US. Is this something I could go to a general physical therapist for support for? Or do you think a pelvic floor therapist would have better knowledge? Being in my mid-20s, I would love to get control over this and retrain my body as to prevent future issues. Thank you!

I didn’t know this was a thing. But I have the horizontal line above my belly button where my stomach dips in some. As I’ve gained weight, my stomach looks like a B from the side. And my lower belly fat just hangs. So while I’m not a super big person, my stomach shape makes me insecure. I have pcos which makes me gain weight between my hips. But now I’m scared my stomach will always look like this.

Thank YOU!!! Now that I have read this article I realize that I have been a "gripper" for most of my life! Became extreme this past week or so in response to medical issues and stress related to those. I have dealt with many of the symptoms throughout my life; acid reflux, neck and back pain. I have scoliosis and have a Harrington rod in place. Was placed in 1980. Do you think this fact has contributed to my gripping?

Okay I 100% do this and definitely have hourglass syndrome. It’s crazy because those red arrows are the exact locations I have regular muscle pain. I’ve been doing the breathing exercises and stretches and it’s amazing how different it feels just to breathe now. Are there other exercises or things to do that can help decrease that line or the damage caused by this problem? Thank you for all of this info.

Oof. I have a horrible gastric history, hiatal hernia, crazy back and neck pain, and I KNOW for a fact I do this because I was a vocal performer in my 20’s and was afraid of looking fat while I was singing, so I learned to breathe while ‘sucking in.’ That’s very eye opening.

I've got poor posture, GERD, the crease across the stomach, and low back/pelvis pain (SI joint). I had no idea this even existed.

Do you have any more sources about this? Would love to read more into it.

Very interesting article and so much relates to my breathing pattern, back and neck pain. I have periods where whole ribcage under the breasts feels stiff and sore and also rib bones in the front combined with lower back pain. Just wanted to ask you - could an irritated or stiff diaphragma cause burning pain just under the lower ribs? Feels as if my skin is sunburned, but deeper down. Could it be muscles or maybe likely nervepain? Have just been diagnosed with Chrons, but to me it does not feel like it is related to intestines, but difficult to know. Burning pain is not really listes as a Chrons symptom as far as I can tell. It is not from my stomach. It follows the shape of the lower ribs in the front and is often accompanied with burning sensation on my back as well. Today both back and stomach pain (burning) got worse after a walk. Have been chronically ill for 10 Years so this body had been through a lot. This burning pain especially in the front is very annoying so just had to send you a question.

Hi Steffen, thanks so much for your reply! I sent you a reply few minutes ago but not sure it went through. I have had endoscopy done back in 2006 and it was showing acid reflux and not any hernia. I also had barium swallow back in 2000 and that also showed acid reflux. My symptoms is exactly same as for bloating ever since 1999 when I first stared showing symptoms of bloating and was as severe ever since and that said it flares with stress. When I do deep breathing it looks like my bloating goes down by half. I get bloated really bad with distension and that it looks like a 7 months pregnant women. It’s frustrating and I have tried chiropractors and Massage therapy was helpful but due to Covid we can’t go for any fo those. Meditation is helpful. When I lye down on my back feels immediately better and my bloating goes down. I also wanted to let you know that I have started getting this IBS severe bloating symptoms since 1999 and that happened after severe stress and an sport accident while was ice skating. I have taken Losec for many years but stopped taking it because of side effects. I try to help the IBS symptom with natural medicine. I’m a scientist / molecular biologist and that strongly believe in traditional medicine.
Kind regards,
Mary

Hi, I have all of the above symptoms. I have chronic IBS over past 20 years. I have so much fo discomfort around my upper stomach feels like muscle tightness. I don’t feel pain but the tightness stops me sitting comfortably and the only way that I can mitigate the discomfort is by lying done on my back. Its not easy fro me do the posture you posted above as it used to be one the most relaxing posture for my low back pain in past. Any suggestions to reduce this tightness around my upper stomach is so appreciated. Thanks!

I think I’m a stomach gripper. I have most of the symptoms listed above. It all started after my gallbladder surgery. I had so many tests done and they couldn’t find anything that’s wrong with me. I started to notice when I bend forward to pick something up, I have to brace myself because I feel like I’m going to fall over. My shortness of breath is terrible and I have a very poor appetite. My anxiety is pretty bad too. I’m going to give this a try and see how it goes.

OMG!!!!!!!! I cannot believe this!! I have every single symptom listed and a couple more... I have been having issues with my belly for a couple of years. I had gastric bypass the R-Y procedure) so i was opened vertically. I then had 3 additional surgeries for hernia repair,small bowel obstruction and skin removal. In the last 6 months, i have noticed symptoms I have never had before. If i allow my upper abdominal muscles to relax, I barely can breathe. Holding my muscles tight all day long is exhausting and uncomfortable. I then noticed that for about a month, i wake up and vomit most days. I am very nauseated but i have always attributed that to my surgical history. This is different. I feel like my insides are not being supported. I have a left upper rib that literally pops out of place and i attribute it to the weakness in my diaphragm. The only comfortable position is laying flat or in a Cat position. I have low back pain suddenly, I have acid reflux symptoms, and for about a month I have complained or neck pain also, attributing that to a bad pillow. After reading this, i clearly have all the symptoms. THANK YOU!! Is stretching alone going to fix this or do I need to see a doctor. It's causing me anxiety because it always feels like someone just punched me in the stomach.

Thanx for this. I have all of the above symptoms and it occurred to me that they are caused by wrong breathing. Eventhough I have permanent abdominal breathing I've noticed that when I breathe out I grip my stomach. Now I am trying to learn what relaxed exhale is like. Intead of going backwards, like the stomach withdrawing, which causess the grip, maybe it should move downwards,like I allow it to fall - from a sitting of a standing position.
Your articel was helpful. Thank you

Thank you so much. I have been suffering with this for along time but didn't know how to describe it to my emphysema or general practice physician.

Diagnosed with gall stones and GERD having sore ribs and back, more concerning shortness of breath when climbing stairs etc

Will a physio be able to help? Or a Chiro?

I truly appreciate this article.Much thanks again. Will read on... Musslewhite