I'm not an MD, but I believe the technical definition for the MS hug is just impacting the inter-costal muscles of the ribs, giving us that bear hug sensation around our chest/back/rib cage.

But when I started getting the MS hug, I started noticing all sorts of oddities all through my torso. I could only attribute these to spasms/spasticity of various muscles that we have all throughout our torso -- including those muscles in/around the stomach (the stomach itself is nothing but a specialized muscle).

What do I do when I get those weird feelings?

Same as when I get oddities in any other muscle -- either rest it or *preferably* exercise and stretch it!

I do all sorts of stretches, trying to hold the stretch for 30secs.

At the gym I do ab exercises. Not because I want 6-pack abs, just because I've discovered that helps.

IMO intermittent fasting helps (it gives the stomach both work and rest periods). I'll do Elvis-like hip gyrations and stretch things like that. It might sound stupid, but give it a try and let me know if it works.🙂

@A MyMSTeam Member, there's a genetic component to MS but it's a "weak" one. Studies on identical twins, for example, shows that MS is *not* a classic inherited disease.

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A MyMSTea...

Could be. We have similarities but vast differences

Could very well be. Everyone can be different. Mine feels like something is wrapped around my lower back and waist super tight.

I take magnesium too, but I don't have pain below my belly button area & I didn't know MS ran in the family. Go to your doctor & think positive 😇😇 Wish you the best