Pain in the chest can be a serious situation, as it might indicate heart or lung disease. This pain in chest could be due to muscle strain in chest. This type of pain occurs when pectorals or the intercostal chest muscles get torn or overstretched.
Due to its location, many people confuse a strained muscle in the chest wall, or a pulled chest muscle, with cardiac-related issues. Whereas a muscle strain in the chest is localized and tender to the touch.
You might experience such pain due to a sports injury, bad posture, post-surgery complications, or heavy weight lifting. Depending upon its cause, its treatment differs.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different causes of muscle strain in the chest, early signs of this pain, and the appropriate treatment plan to cure it.
What is a strained muscle in chest?
This occurs when the muscle fibers in the chest wall become overstretched due to sudden trauma, heavy action, or injury. It causes a sharp, aching, or burning sensation in chest.
It often occurs with the following two muscles:
- Pectoralis major and minor: large muscles on the upper chest.
- Intercostal muscles: muscles located between the ribs.
Experiencing a sudden pain in the chest wall is an alarming situation. It is important to know the root cause so that instant medical treatment can be started.
If you or your loved one ever experience such pain, then do not hesitate to visit our ER of Mesquite, where we offer instant and reliable medical treatment.
What causes muscle strain in the chest?
It can be caused by different reasons. Different causes affect different areas of the chest wall. Below are a few of the most common causes of muscle strain in the chest:
Intense exercise
Repeating difficult upper-body exercises can overstretch the muscles, leading to muscle strain or a pulled chest muscle.
Sports injuries
Athletes often experience different types of chest injuries, causing tears and strains in chest muscles.
Bad posture
Bad standing or sitting positions can cause pressure in the chest wall that results in pain in the muscle and even strains.
Post-Surgery Side Effects
Many patients who have undergone surgery, especially after lung or heart problems. It causes chest wall pain due to pneumonia after surgery or immobility.
Heavyweight lifting
Lifting heavy weights can cause strains and tears in the muscle that result in muscle strain in the chest and other stretching problems in the chest wall.
Ever experience a severe, intense pain on the left side of the chest? Immediately visit us at the ER of Mesquite, or call us at +1 469-649-1007 to learn more about us.
Muscle strain in the chest is a symptom
Chest muscle pain due to strain is quite different from lung and heart-related issues, but since they appear in the same location, people often confuse them. It deeply affects the body, causing difficulty in breathing, coughing, and making movements.
Below are a few common signs of muscle strain in the chest:
- Sharp and stabbing pain
- Tenderness upon touching
- Swelling in the chest due to inflammation
- Discomfort during sneezing and coughing
- Pain during breathing
Muscle Strain in the chest treatment
Muscle pain in the chest wall causes a sharp and localized pain. It affects daily activities and causes intense pain during different activities. This pain can be treated in different ways. Understanding the different treatment methods and their impact helps in intense recovery.
Ever wondered, “How to speed up muscle strain recovery?” The right answer to it is to follow the right treatment plan and follow the necessary lifestyle changes.
Below are a few of the most common effective muscle strains in chest treatment options:
Rest
Minor muscle strains can be treated with proper rest and minor movements.
Cold and Heat Therapy
During this treatment method, cold packs are applied during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling and improve chest wall pain, and then heat in the form of warm compresses is applied for the next 2-3 days to improve blood circulation.
Medications
Doctors can also be given to reduce pain.
Physical therapy
Therapy exercises to improve posture, strengthening exercises, and stress-relieving exercises for the muscles should be done to minimize muscle strain in the chest.
Lifestyle adjustments
Improving diet, doing minor exercises, eating healthy food, and staying hydrated improve your immune system and help in speedy recovery.
To implement the right treatment option, it is essential to identify the exact location of the muscle strain. This can be identified by obtaining a digital X-ray or undergoing a CT scan, which helps in diagnosing its exact location.
Can you pull a muscle in your chest?
Yes, you can experience a pulled chest muscle, and it is a less-discussed but common medical condition. It happens when muscle fibres in the chest become overstretched or torn. This condition is also called muscle strain in the chest.
This type of pain also occurs due to rib cage muscle pain and can be caused by multiple reasons. It can happen due to injury, inflammation in the chest, and intense heavy exercise. Pain in chest muscle strain can be horrible, but it is treatable with the right care.
Muscle Strain vs Other Muscle Pain Conditions
Chest pain could be of different types. Understanding the difference between these types can help in proper treatment. The table below illustrates in detail the difference between muscle strain and other muscle pain problems in the chest.
| Aspect | Muscle Strain in the Chest | Heart-related Chest Pain | Lung-related chest pain |
| Symptoms | Sharp, stabbing pain causes aching pain. | Pressure, heaviness in the heart | Aching, sharp pain becomes intense upon breathing |
| Why is it triggered | Intense movement, lifting, deep breathing, and stretching | Emotional stress, physical exertion | While breathing deeply, coughing, or during infections. |
| Location | Muscle strain in chest left side or right side. | The central area of the chest spreads towards the arms, neck, and jaw | Pain in the back, arm, and shoulders |
| Pain Duration | Usually heals with rest, and takes upto 2-6 weeks | Lasts minutes and requires emergency services if the pain duration exceeds | Improves with rest and therapy |
Is muscle strain in the chest on the left side an alarming situation?
Yes, it can be alarming as it might be indicating heart-related issues. In some cases, it might be due to a pulled chest muscle or a strained muscle in chest wall. Many people experience pain in the left side of the chest due to a heart attack.
It is always important to immediately evaluate these symptoms carefully, as they mimic cardiac pain. If the muscle pain is experienced with pressure and a squeezing sensation in the chest, pain radiating towards the neck and jaw, chest inflammation, and difficulty breathing, then it is important to get it evaluated immediately.
Although chest pain on the left could also be due to physical strain or poor posture, it is important to get it evaluated immediately, as persistent and intense pain could be a sign of cardiac-related issues.
Key Takeaways: Muscle Strain in the Chest
A strain in the chest muscle appears suddenly but can be alarming and uncomfortable, as it might mimic heart-related issues. Muscle strain in the chest is not normally threatening and can be treated with proper rest, cold/heat therapy, exercises, and doctor-prescribed exercises.
By knowing its signs, you can minimize the chances of muscle strain in the chest. Moreover, with the right treatment, you can quickly recover from such pain. However, if the chest pain causes shortness of breath, dizziness, and severe chest pain, then it is recommended to get checked immediately, as it might be related to a lung-related issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does a muscle strain in the chest feel like?
It feels like a sharp, aching pain that gets tender upon touching. Moreover, you might also experience pain while breathing and coughing.
When does muscle strain in the chest go away?
Depending upon its causes, ideally, it takes 2-6 weeks for complete recovery.
What is the best treatment for muscle strain in chest?
Rest is the most recommended treatment option, but heat/cold therapy is also commonly recommended.
Is chest pain always related to heart pain?
No, chest pain is not always related to heart pain, but severe pain on the left side needs to be checked, as it might be a sign of a heart attack.
