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! *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Adolescent Medicine Specialists Adolescent medicine doctors are specialists who have extra training in the medical and emotional issues that many teens face. Read More Talking to Your Doctor Your best resource for health information and advice is your doctor - the person who knows you, your medical history, and accurate medical information to answer your questions. Read More Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease is an ongoing illness caused by an inflammation of the intestines. There are two kinds of IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Read More Stomachaches Lots of different problems can cause similar kinds of stomach pain - not all of them related to the digestive system. Here are some clues about what could be going on. Read More How Can I Get My Parents to Give Private Time With My Doctor? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More How Do I Switch Doctors? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Why Does the Doctor Have to Examine My Testicles? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.