question: I have a sharp burning type pain in my upper abdomen. It feels as though its near the surface of the skin and the skin above the pain is completely numb. The pain is localized above the lower most rib and about an inch and a half from the sturnum. The numb surface skin is about two inches in diameter. I have had the pain for a few years but it has recently been getting much worse and more frequesnt. Mostly when Im sitting. A stretch can often make the pain lessen.