Abdominal Press: Function, Task & Diseases

The abdominal press plays a major role in the human body, as it is involved in many expulsion processes. The fact that the body can activate the abdominal press at all is mainly thanks to the abdominal and pelvic muscles and the diaphragm. However, if the abdominal press is used to an uncontrolled extent, discomfort and disease in the digestive tract can result.

What is the abdominal press?

The abdominal press plays a major role in the human body, as it is involved in many expulsion processes. ‘Abdominal press’ is a medical term that refers to an exertion of pressure in the abdomen. The contraction of certain muscle groups creates increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. The muscles involved in this intra-abdominal process include the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles and the diaphragm. While the abdominal press causes increased pressure in the abdominal cavity, all organs are compressed here. In this way, the contents of a hollow organ are expelled. This is the case, for example, when stool is expelled from the rectum or when an expectant mother pushes the child out of the uterus during birth. Since in the natural process of abdominal pressing the abdominal muscles are used the most, usually the exercises for training these very muscles are also called in German ‘abdominal press’.

Function and task

In a person’s body, the abdominal press is used especially during defecation and child birth. The increase in pressure created in the abdomen causes the rectum to activate bowel evacuation. During childbirth, the abdominal press is related to delivery, in which the woman tries to bring the baby to the outside by pressing. However, the abdominal press also plays an important role in other processes: coughing, vomiting, and stabilizing the spine when a lot of force is applied. Thanks to the abdominal press, the spine is relieved of up to 50% of its load during the lifting of heavy weights. Also, the abdominal press is activated when there are difficulties with urination. In many cases, urine output is only possible with the aid of the abdominal press. To ensure sufficient intra-abdominal pressure, the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles are tightened first and foremost. Other organs and muscle groups are also involved in the abdominal squeeze. For example, the vocal folds are closed during the abdominal press. The respiratory muscles are also tensed to provide resistance to the closed glottis. At the same time, a lowering of the diaphragm is triggered. The activation of various muscle groups is responsible for initiating certain movements in the first place. Thus, for many movement processes in the body, the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles must work together. In the case of the abdominal press, these even have to work together with other muscle groups to trigger pressure in the abdomen and increase it.

Diseases and ailments

In the human digestive tract, abdominal press represents one of the conditions for complete bowel emptying. However, if this is used to too great an extent, it can in turn lead to diseases or complaints of the digestive tract. This is the case, for example, with hemorrhoids. Basically, chronic intestinal complaints are not life-threatening, but they can be very distressing for those affected. They often feel that their quality of life is severely impaired. The conditions hernia, constipation and encopresis are just three examples from a wide range of bowel complaints. Hernia refers to the passage of abdominal viscera through an opening in the abdominal wall. If the pressure in the abdomen increases too much as a result of abdominal compression, organs can be pressed against the gaps in the abdominal wall. Thus, it can happen that an organ or even several organs are pressed into this gap. Often, the abdominal press also causes the peritoneum to bulge outward. This creates a channel from which loops of intestine can emerge. Overall, this condition is more common in men than in women because they are more often required to perform heavy, physical work at work. The symptoms are expressed by pulling pain at the site of the hernia. The irritated peritoneum can also cause nausea and vomiting. In the case of constipation, also known as constipation in medical terminology, bowel emptying is only possible once in several days or weeks.The affected person very rarely feels an urge to go to the toilet. Going to the toilet can also become an agonizing endeavor for the person each time. Actually, defecation is automatic. As soon as the rectum fills up, the anus opens all by itself. Now the abdominal press is used to expel the intestinal contents to the outside. However, anyone who presses with too much force despite constipation can run the risk of suffering hemorrhoids. Constipation and hemorrhoids are often closely related. Patients with hemorrhoids usually have a persistent urge to defecate even though there is no stool at all. This feeling tempts him to push even harder. This in turn leads to a worsening of the symptoms. Enkropresis is the defecation of children from the age of four, who have actually already learned to defecate. The causes of this condition are thought to be psychological stress or a delay in child development. The latter can affect both the psychological and physical development of the child. It is not uncommon for children to experience pain during defecation, such as constipation or hemorrhoids. Then the child avoids going to the toilet or pushing until he or she can no longer hold back the stool and eventually empties the bowels uncontrollably.