I was wondering, why do doctors push on your stomach during a checkup or if you complain of abdominal pain?
- Ty*

Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on.

Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam. Doctors use all three to check that everything's normal or to evaluate a health condition. For example, doctors use sight to diagnose conditions like acne or pinkeye. They'll listen to a person's heartbeat to be sure it sounds normal. And they'll use touch to investigate areas that aren't visible to the naked eye, like bones or internal organs.

During a checkup, don't hesitate to ask your doctor questions if you're curious about why something's being done. Your doc is there to help, and answering questions is part of that!

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: July 2010

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.