Final answer:
Voluntary contractions of the abdominal muscles in response to severe abdominal pain can help relieve pain and facilitate bodily functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to severe abdominal pain, the abdominal muscles can contract either voluntarily or involuntarily. Voluntary contractions of the abdominal muscles can increase intra-abdominal pressure, which can aid in relieving pain or facilitating certain bodily functions like bladder emptying, defecation, and childbirth. This is achieved through the Valsalva's maneuver, a voluntary procedure that involves contracting the diaphragm and abdominal wall muscles and closing the glottis to increase the pressure in the abdomen.