Pulled muscle in chest is accompanied by feelings of concern and worry about health. At least 25% of the global population experiences chest pain during their lifetime. Most cases of chest strain are caused by muscle strain or pull in the support muscles. Usually, it comes after strenuous exercise or is caused by poor posture. This article gives you insights into the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for chest muscle pain.
What is Chest Muscle Pain?
The chest muscles comprise the pectoralis major, the pectoralis minor, and the intercostal muscles. Pectoralis major muscles are huge, fan-shaped muscles that start from the collarbone and sternum to the upper arm (humerus), helping in movements of the upper body. The Pectoralis minor muscles are beneath the pectoralis major and help with movements and stabilization of the shoulder blade. The intercostal muscles lie between the ribs, function during breathing, and are prone to strain often.
Chest strain happens when muscles, tendons, or ligaments are impacted by any activity. It hurts in one spot or area and worsens with motion or pressure. It’s not nearly as bad as heart pain, but it’s not something you want, either.
Common Causes of Chest Muscle Pain
Muscle strain in chest is rather daunting, but usually, it is due to some activity or injury rather than anything sinister/serious. Some of the common causes are:
- Overexertion:
Any strenuous activity like weightlifting can overwork your chest muscles. More often than not, it creates tension in the pectoralis major and minor muscles. - Sudden movements:
Jerky actions might easily strain chest muscles that assist breathing. For instance, twisting or even awkward reaching may overstretch the intercostal muscles, leading to overstretching these muscles. This can result in pain and an inability to breathe properly. - Bad Posture:
Sitting or standing for a long time in an improper posture can strain chest muscles. Prolonged bad posture weakens the pectoralis muscles and results in pain. - Trauma:
A direct trauma to the chest where a person falls or has an accident, especially if there is some impact, can tear the muscles and ligaments and instantly cause pain. Such severe cases would call for medical attention.
Chest Muscle Pain Left Side Vs. Chest Muscle Pain Right Side
As your heart is on the left side, left chest muscle pain is often misread as a sign of heart disease, which can cause unnecessary anxiety. However, the pain is usually due to strain or pull in the pectoralis major or intercostal muscles. It can occur when you lift something heavy, make strange movements, or even get up and move around awkwardly.
On the other hand, right-sided chest pain is usually caused by physical activity or injuries rather than heart conditions. Typical activities that may induce right-sided muscle strain in chest include heavy lifting, sports, or sudden movements that overstretch the muscles. Though it’s painful, this mostly happens to be just a muscle strain, and in most cases, not such a serious condition that needs prolonged medical treatment.
Chest Muscle Pain vs. Heart Attack Pain
Even though pulled muscle in chest can feel like heart attack pain, there are understandable differences. Here are the main contrasts:
Location of Pain –
The pain due to chest muscle strain is generally localized; it can be either left or right and can often be pinpointed. In contrast, pain due to a heart attack is almost invariably across the chest and may even extend to the arms, neck, back, or jaw. Such widespread pain might be more alarming and suggestive of a severe condition.
Effect of Movement –
Musculoskeletal pain usually worsens with movement, deep breathing, or pressure over the region of the pain. Angina or heart attack pain, on the other hand, tends to persist and may become worse even at rest.
Other Signs and Symptoms –
A myocardial infarction might be associated with chest pain. You may experience other concerning systemic symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or dizziness. These systemic symptoms could be signs of a medical emergency that needs urgent medical attention. Chest muscle strain is more limited in its distribution, only involving the area of pain without other generalized signs and symptoms.
Chest Muscle Pain Treatment
Effective treatments for pain in the chest muscles will enhance the recovery process and relieve the discomfort. Here are some common remedies:
Rest and Ice
A pulled muscle in the chest requires rest for natural healing. To reduce inflammation and numb the severe agony, you can apply an ice pack to the area of injury for the first 48 hours following the injury.
Pain Reliever
Common over-the-counter pain medication can alleviate the pain caused by the strain in the chest. These are anti-inflammatory medications, and they prevent sharp or aching feelings in the chest.
Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy is usually suggested once the initial pain in the chest subsides. Stretching and strengthening exercises can also help regain normal movement and strength in chest muscles, thus avoiding future strains on the chest.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If the chest muscle pain still does not alleviate through home remedies or you are still in doubt about whether it is muscular, you have to seek advice from a doctor. In case of persisting pain or new symptoms, it may be because of an undiagnosed serious condition that should be managed through medical attention.
Conclusion
Chest muscle pain is usually due to strain in the pectoralis or intercostal muscles due to ordinary activities or injury. Although this localized pain can be distressing, it rarely indicates severe heart conditions with several other symptoms. Muscle chest pain is best treated with rest and pain medication, but if the pain persists or if you have a question about its cause, see your physician.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/musculoskeletal-chest-pain
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324534#other-causes-of-chest-pain
https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/what-to-know-about-strained-chest-muscles
https://www.healthline.com/health/pulled-chest-muscle
