Stomach pain can come from the upper abdomen, GI tract, abdominal wall, nerves, motility disorders, pelvic overlap, or chronic pain pathways.
This video explains how chronic stomach pain may involve the GI tract, nerves, abdominal wall, autonomic system, and coordinated care.
Our team organizes conditions and treatments into related zones of expertise to make it easier to explore the care paths most relevant to your symptoms and goals.
Use the zone tags above to browse dedicated pages for each focus area, including services, providers, and what to expect during treatment.
If your stomach pain keeps coming back, it may not be as simple as ‘just digestion.’ Stomach pain can have many different causes, and for a lot of patients, it’s not always straightforward.
Some people experience cramping, bloating, nausea, burning, or a deep aching sensation that affects daily life, sleep, eating, and overall comfort. While stomach pain can sometimes come from gastrointestinal conditions, we also look at how the nervous system, muscles, abdominal wall, and pelvic floor may be contributing.
Over time, chronic pain can cause the body to become more protective and sensitized. Muscles tighten, movement patterns change, and the nervous system can stay in a constant state of high alert, which may make symptoms feel more intense or persistent. That’s why my approach is always to look at the whole person, not just one organ or one symptom.
We take time to understand the full story: when symptoms started, what triggers them, what the body is doing in response, and whether there are overlapping issues involving the pelvis, spine, stress response, or musculoskeletal system. Treatment may involve pelvic floor therapy, movement-based rehabilitation, nervous system regulation, medications, or working together with other specialists when needed.
Most importantly, I want patients to know that ongoing stomach pain is real, and there are often more layers to explore when symptoms aren’t improving. If you’ve been living with persistent stomach pain and still feel like you don’t have answers, we’re here to help you better understand what may be driving it.
Stomach pain is a patient-friendly term, but medically it may refer to pain from the stomach, upper abdomen, intestines, abdominal wall, nerves, pelvic structures, hernias, motility disorders, post-surgical changes, cancer-related pain, or chronic pain sensitization.
Symptoms may include burning, cramping, bloating, nausea, early fullness, pain after eating, or persistent discomfort even after GI testing. Because what feels like stomach pain may come from another abdominal organ or even outside the digestive system, careful evaluation is important before treatment.
The goal is to identify the pain driver, not assume every symptom is coming from the stomach itself.
At Manhattan Pain Medicine, evaluation begins by understanding the full symptom pattern and prior workup. For patients looking for stomach pain treatment in Manhattan, MPM helps evaluate whether symptoms may be related to stomach or upper abdominal pain, abdominal wall pain, nerve irritation, gastroparesis, chronic constipation, pelvic overlap, autonomic dysfunction, hernia-related pain, post-surgical pain, cancer-related pain, or chronic pain processing.
MPM does not replace gastroenterology, emergency medicine, surgery, oncology, gynecology, or primary care when those specialties are needed. Instead, our role is to identify pain drivers, coordinate care, and consider pain-focused options when appropriate.
Stomach pain can be difficult because symptoms do not always point directly to the source. Upper abdominal pain after eating may suggest a stomach or motility issue, but pain can also come from abdominal wall muscles, scar tissue, nerve irritation, pelvic floor dysfunction, constipation, autonomic dysfunction, hernia-related strain, or chronic pain sensitization.
Some patients have persistent stomach pain after normal endoscopy, imaging, or GI testing. That does not mean the pain is not real. It may mean the pain generator is not visible on standard testing, or that several systems are contributing at once.
MPM’s diagnosis-first approach considers visceral pain, abdominal wall pain, nerve-related pain, pelvic overlap, motility-related pain, autonomic symptoms, and chronic pain mechanisms before recommending treatment.
Stomach pain fits across several MPM Zones of Expertise, including Complex Chronic Pain, Autonomic Dysfunction, and Pelvic Pain. This matters because upper abdominal symptoms may involve more than one system. A patient may have stomach pain, bloating, nausea, early fullness, constipation, pelvic pain, autonomic symptoms, nerve sensitivity, or abdominal wall pain at the same time.
MPM uses the Zones of Expertise framework to evaluate whether symptoms appear visceral, stomach-related, musculoskeletal, nerve-related, pelvic, autonomic, cancer-related, post-surgical, motility-related, or part of a broader chronic pain process. For some patients, the priority is coordination with GI. For others, the pain generator may involve abdominal wall nerves, sympathetic pathways, pelvic overlap, or chronic pain mechanisms.
These guys are the best. I've been going here for over 6 years and their familiarity with my Schwannomatosis (most ppl have never even heard of it - its rather rare) and their ability to diagnose my CRPS quickly and accurately and then treat it like I was merely getting a flu shot is just incredible...
Highly recommended for those who need Pain Management. Everyone at Manhattan Pain Medicine is extremely nice and helpful. I have had very good interactions with both Dr. Siefferman and Dr. Louis. All of the staff is very responsive. 5 stars.
The providers at Manhattan Pain Medicine are exceptional. I wish I had found them 30 years ago!
I genuinely can’t say enough good things about the team at Manhattan Pain Medicine. I have MCAS, EDS, and an inflammatory autoimmune disease, and I’ve basically been searching for answers since I was a kid. I had years of unexplained inflammation markers, chronic pain, and allergic reactions despite...
I have a complex medical history and have seen a lot of doctors over the years. Dr. Mikaberidze and Dr. Siefferman each took the time to really listen and understand everything I had been dealing with. I also appreciated how they work together and communicated about my care. I left with a plan that...
Sharing my gratitude for the pleasant experience last week during my visit, the medical team provided great care and also treated my session as a learning experience, I left my session with a wealth of knowledge. A big thank you to the kind, and professional staff who welcomed me to the office as a...
I cannot say enough good things about Manhattan Pain Medicine. From the moment I walked in, I felt truly cared for and taken seriously. Dr. Nino Mikaberidze, Director of Rheumatology, is exceptional — knowledgeable, compassionate, and incredibly thorough. She takes the time to listen, explains every...
Dr Siefferman is the most thorough, patient doctor I have even been to. Currently I travel from miami to nyc to see him because his bed side manner and desire to help is incomparable.
ZocDoc
This practice is wonderful. I have been a patient of Dr. Siefferman’s since 2019 and he’s extremely helpful and kind. He has brought in a Rheumatologist who is also great. They handle very complex pain issues and always try to find new ways to help me.
Dr. Siefferman is an incredible doctor! He is extremely diligent and knowledgeable. It feels like you are his only patient. He invests a lot of time and effort into your injuries and concerns. I did not find these wonderful qualities with other pain specialists before, who were always rushed and som...
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is a doctor who combines the old world bedside manner of doctors from my childhood (60 years ago) with a sta te of the art embrace of modern technology. It is always a pleasure to have an appointment with him...always has options and solutions to my medical issues. He is truly the doc...
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is a genius. He is very informed and listens attentively.
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman and his entire team continue to be efficient, dedicated, and driven by precision and a genuine desire to give fantastic care. Will always recommend.
ZocDoc
Doctor Siefferman is fantastic. Have been seeing him for 5 years. Couldn’t recommend more.
ZocDoc
Dr. Siefferman is the ONLY doctor who has ever been able to diagnose my pain and treat it. He is hands down the best
ZocDoc
Chronic stomach pain can have many causes. It may be related to indigestion, functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, chronic constipation, abdominal wall pain, nerve irritation, pelvic pain, hernia-related pain, post-surgical changes, cancer-related pain, or chronic pain sensitization. Some patients have more than one contributor. For example, upper abdominal discomfort may overlap with bloating, nausea, constipation, autonomic symptoms, pelvic floor dysfunction, or abdominal wall sensitivity. Because stomach pain can come from urgent, organ-based, nerve-related, musculoskeletal, pelvic, or chronic pain sources, evaluation should focus on identifying the likely pain generator.
Stomach pain should be evaluated urgently or in an emergency setting when it is severe, rapidly worsening, or associated with fever, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, blood in stool, black stool, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, rigid abdomen, significant abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, pregnancy-related pain, new neurologic symptoms, or pain after major injury. These symptoms can indicate conditions that require immediate medical, GI, surgical, obstetric, oncologic, or emergency evaluation. Pain procedures should not be used as a substitute for urgent medical assessment when red flags are present.
Many patients use “stomach pain” to describe discomfort anywhere in the belly or upper abdomen. Medically, abdominal pain is broader. It can involve the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, abdominal wall, nerves, pelvic structures, hernias, spine referral patterns, or other organs. What feels like stomach pain may not come from the stomach itself. This distinction matters because the right treatment depends on the source. MPM evaluates the symptom pattern, location, triggers, prior testing, and physical findings to help determine whether pain is stomach-related, abdominal wall-related, nerve-related, pelvic, autonomic, or multifactorial.
Yes. Nerve irritation can contribute to stomach or upper abdominal pain. This may occur after abdominal surgery, trauma, hernia repair, scar tissue formation, abdominal wall nerve entrapment, peripheral nerve irritation, or sensitization of visceral nerve pathways. Nerve-related pain may feel burning, sharp, stabbing, electric, or hypersensitive to touch. It may be localized or follow a pattern across the abdominal wall. Depending on the clinical picture, treatment may include medication management, peripheral nerve blocks, nerve hydrodissection, trigger-point injections, pain psychology, or coordination with other specialists.
Functional dyspepsia is a condition that can cause chronic or recurring upper abdominal discomfort without a clear structural cause after appropriate evaluation. Symptoms may include burning stomach pain, bloating, belching, nausea after eating, early fullness, or feeling overly full after a small meal. Symptoms may be related to meals, but they can also occur at other times. Functional dyspepsia can overlap with visceral hypersensitivity, stress physiology, motility changes, and chronic pain pathways. Patients should still be evaluated for other possible causes before symptoms are attributed to functional dyspepsia.
Yes. Gastroparesis can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, early fullness, poor appetite, and discomfort after eating. It occurs when the stomach empties more slowly than expected without a physical blockage. Some patients with gastroparesis also experience autonomic symptoms, constipation, weight changes, or chronic pain sensitivity. Treatment often requires GI coordination and may include dietary changes, medication management, and symptom-specific care. When pain remains significant, MPM can help evaluate whether abdominal wall pain, nerve-related pain, visceral hypersensitivity, or chronic pain mechanisms are also contributing.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis and pain generator. Options may include medication management, GI coordination, pain psychology, acupuncture, diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided injections, trigger-point injections, peripheral nerve blocks, sympathetic blocks, nerve hydrodissection, or celiac plexus block in selected cases. Some patients need continued care with gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, gynecology, primary care, or pelvic pain specialists. Treatment may focus on stomach-related pain, abdominal wall pain, nerve-related pain, visceral pain, pelvic overlap, autonomic dysfunction, cancer-related pain, or chronic pain sensitization. Not every patient is a candidate for procedures.
A pain specialist may be helpful when stomach pain persists after appropriate medical evaluation or when the suspected pain source involves the abdominal wall, nerves, scar tissue, pelvic overlap, post-surgical pain, cancer-related pain, autonomic dysfunction, or chronic pain sensitization. MPM does not replace gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, gynecology, primary care, or emergency care when those are needed. Instead, MPM helps evaluate pain generators that may not be fully addressed by standard testing and builds coordinated treatment plans that may include medications, procedures, behavioral support, and specialist collaboration.
Before care begins, our team helps patients understand the practical side of treatment, including insurance verification, out-of-network benefits, cost-share estimates, self-pay options, and billing questions. We believe patients should have as much clarity as possible before moving forward.
Stomach pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, but “stomach pain” is not a diagnosis. Patients often use the phrase to describe upper abdominal pain, burning, bloating, nausea, early fullness, cramping, or discomfort anywhere in the belly. Medically, the pain may come from the stomach itself, but it may also come from the intestines, abdominal wall, nerves, pelvis, hernias, scar tissue, motility disorders, autonomic dysfunction, cancer-related processes, or chronic pain pathways.
For some patients, stomach pain is temporary and resolves. For others, it becomes persistent, recurring, or difficult to explain. Some patients have already had endoscopy, imaging, bloodwork, emergency evaluation, or GI testing. Others have a diagnosis such as functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, chronic constipation, pelvic pain, hernia pain, or post-surgical pain but still need help managing symptoms. MPM approaches stomach pain by asking what pain generator is most likely contributing and which care pathway is safest.
Stomach pain can feel burning, sharp, dull, cramping, aching, pressure-like, stabbing, or bloated. It may occur after eating, before eating, during stress, with constipation, with nausea, with early fullness, with movement, with pressure on the abdominal wall, or during pelvic symptoms. Some patients feel pain in the upper abdomen. Others describe discomfort that spreads across the belly, into the ribs, toward the pelvis, or around a scar.
Associated symptoms matter. Nausea, vomiting, bloating, reflux, early fullness, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, fever, blood in stool, black stool, or severe tenderness may change the urgency and direction of evaluation. Stomach pain should not be treated as a pain problem until appropriate medical causes and red flags have been considered.
The stomach is one organ in the upper abdomen. Abdominal pain is broader and can include pain from the stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, abdominal wall, pelvic organs, nerves, blood vessels, hernias, or referred pain. This distinction matters because patients may feel pain in the “stomach area” even when the source is not the stomach.
For example, chronic constipation can cause abdominal discomfort and bloating. Gastroparesis can cause nausea, early fullness, bloating, vomiting, and stomach pain. Pelvic floor dysfunction can refer pain into the lower abdomen. Hernias can cause focal pain or pressure. Abdominal wall nerve entrapment can cause localized pain even when GI testing is normal. Autonomic dysfunction and MCAS may contribute to GI symptoms in some patients, but these possibilities require careful evaluation and should not be assumed.
Normal GI testing can be reassuring, but it does not always identify the pain generator. It may mean that a dangerous structural GI condition was not found, but pain may still come from abdominal wall nerves, muscle trigger points, scar tissue, visceral hypersensitivity, autonomic dysfunction, pelvic overlap, or chronic pain sensitization.
Functional dyspepsia is one example. It may cause upper abdominal discomfort, burning, bloating, belching, nausea, and early fullness without a clear structural cause after appropriate evaluation. Visceral hypersensitivity can make normal digestive activity feel painful. Post-surgical nerve irritation may cause focal burning or stabbing pain. These patterns need a different evaluation than routine stomach upset.
MPM begins with a detailed history and review of prior workup. This includes symptom timing, pain location, meal relationship, bowel patterns, nausea, bloating, weight changes, pelvic symptoms, prior surgeries, hernias, cancer history, imaging, endoscopy, medications, ER visits, GI diagnoses, and response to prior treatments. The physical exam may look for abdominal wall tenderness, pain with muscle activation, trigger points, scar sensitivity, nerve distribution patterns, and signs that pain may be referred from another area.
Diagnostic ultrasound may be useful in selected cases to evaluate abdominal wall structures, soft tissue concerns, or procedural targets. Diagnostic injections may sometimes help clarify whether pain is coming from a muscle, fascia, nerve, or specific pain pathway. These tools are not substitutes for GI, surgical, oncologic, pelvic, or emergency evaluation when those are needed.
Treatment depends on the source of pain. Medication management may be used for nerve pain, visceral pain, muscle spasm, inflammatory pain, nausea-related symptom burden, or chronic pain sensitivity when appropriate. Pain psychology may help patients manage the nervous system effects of persistent symptoms, fear of eating or movement, pacing, sleep disruption, and stress-related amplification. Acupuncture may be considered as part of a broader supportive plan for selected patients.
Procedural options depend on diagnosis and anatomy. Trigger-point injections may be considered when abdominal wall muscle trigger points contribute to pain. Peripheral nerve blocks or nerve hydrodissection may be considered when nerve entrapment or irritation is suspected. Sympathetic blocks may be considered for selected sympathetically mediated pain patterns. A celiac plexus block may be considered for selected severe upper abdominal visceral pain or cancer-related abdominal pain. These options require careful patient selection and are not appropriate for every case of stomach pain.
The celiac plexus is a network of nerves that carries pain signals from many upper abdominal organs. A celiac plexus block is not a general stomach pain treatment, but it may be considered in selected patients with severe chronic upper abdominal pain, including certain cancer-related pain patterns. The decision depends on the diagnosis, anatomy, imaging, prior treatments, risks, and care goals.
Peripheral nerve blocks and abdominal wall procedures are different from celiac plexus block. They may target nerves in the abdominal wall or related regions rather than deeper visceral pathways. Choosing between these options depends on whether the pain appears focal, nerve-related, visceral, post-surgical, pelvic, autonomic, or multifactorial.
Some stomach pain should not wait for an outpatient pain appointment. Patients should seek urgent or emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening pain, fever, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, blood in stool, black stool, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, rigid abdomen, significant abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, pregnancy-related pain, new neurologic symptoms, or pain after major injury. Pain procedures should never replace appropriate urgent medical evaluation.
MPM approaches stomach pain through a diagnosis-first, coordinated model. The evaluation considers stomach-related pain, visceral pain, abdominal wall pain, peripheral nerve pain, pelvic overlap, hernia-related pain, motility-related pain, autonomic dysfunction, post-surgical pain, cancer-related pain, and chronic pain sensitization. Care may involve coordination with gastroenterology, surgery, gynecology, oncology, primary care, pelvic pain specialists, psychology, or other clinicians.
For patients looking for stomach pain treatment in Manhattan, MPM offers a careful, patient-centered approach to persistent stomach pain, upper abdominal pain, abdominal wall pain, nerve-related pain, and complex chronic symptoms. The goal is to clarify the likely pain driver, coordinate care safely, and build a treatment plan that reflects the patient’s diagnosis, prior workup, anatomy, severity, and goals.
