Almost 9 yr old girl is touching her feces

Should I seek professional help for my almost 9 yr old daughter?  Last night I found feces fingerprints on the the toilet seat and realized that she had been touching her feces.  A while back I had noticed feces on the toilet paper and around toilet and thought she was just having trouble wiping herself.  I purchased wet wipes for her to help her in cleaning up.  When I asked her why her hands had feces on them she told me she "wanted to" touch her feces and didn't know why.  Upon further questioning, she said she was touching it to "push it out" faster because her stomach was hurting.  I don't know what to believe and I am very worried.  I have two daughters and she is the youngest.  She is a very happy child and outgoing and has many friends.  She also does dance and gymnastics as extra-curricular activities.   Upon discovery of this last night, she was very upset and kept apologizing over and over.  What should my next step be?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Arrange an appointment with her pediatrician - it sounds like she has been experiencing some gastrointestinal discomfort that might require some attention. I'd approach this medically for now, not via the psychological route.