The pain you feel 3 inches left of the belly button when touched or coughing or laughing might be related to Spigelian hernia. Spigelian or semilunar hernia is a certain type of hernia that lies under the external oblique aponeurosis just outside the outer border of the Rectus or "six-pack" muscles. They commonly occur at a level referred as ‘spigelian hernia belt’ which is a transverse band between the level of umbilicus (navel) and the line joining both anterior superior iliac spines. The hernia might be invisible, as in your case, if it is too small.


You might want to visit an abdominal surgeon for a physical examination. The surgeon might want to have an X-ray and/or abdominal ultrasound to check for other conditions that might cause pain in that area. If Spigelian (semilunar) hernia is diagnosed, then the surgeon might advise whether the hernia needs further surgery as treatment or it is too small and can be only examined on follow-ups.