What Is a Strained Chest Muscle?
A strained chest muscle occurs when you tear or stretch a muscle in your chest wall. This is also known as a pulled muscle or muscle strain.
What Causes a Strained Chest Muscle?
Causes of a strained chest muscle include:
- Playing a contact sport
- Repetitive and/or forceful movements that involve the chest muscle, such as swinging a tennis racket
- Heavy or intense exercise
- Overstretching
- Muscle fatigue
- Contact injuries or a blow to the chest, such as that from an auto accident
- Poor flexibility
- Poor posture
- Heavy lifting
- Twisting your body while lifting or sudden twisting movements
- Skipping warm-ups before exercising or playing sports
- Reaching overhead for extended periods
- Falling
- Coughing severely
What Are Symptoms of a Strained Chest Muscle?
A strained chest muscle usually causes pain in the chest that gets worse when you move, touch the affected area, or cough. Common strained chest muscle symptoms include:
- Pain in the chest that may be sharp, aching or dull
- Pain in the chest that gets worse with certain movements, like when you move your chest or upper spine
- Difficulty moving the chest or affected area
- Pain in the chest that gets worse when you sneeze, cough, or breathe
- Swelling of the chest
- Bruising on the chest
- Muscle spasms
- Soreness or a tender sensation inside the chest wall
- Upper back pain
- Pain that worsens with twisting, reaching, or lifting
What Are the Different Grades of a Strained Chest Muscle?
If you are diagnosed with a strained chest muscle, your healthcare provider will assign a grade based on the severity of your injury.
- Grade 1: Muscle is stretched but not torn. Grade 1 refers to mild damage to the chest that affects less than 5% of its individual muscle fibers. Your strength and motion may be mildly affected, and recovery usually only lasts between two and three weeks.
- Grade 2: Muscle is partially torn. Grade 2 injury indicates more extensive damage to the chest that affects a higher amount of muscle fibers without completely rupturing the muscle. You may experience significant problems with strength and motion and possibly swelling. Grade 2 injuries usually take between two and three months to heal.
- Grade 3: Muscle is completely torn. Grade 3 injury is a complete rupture of the chest muscle. This grade of tear causes significant pain and loss of function. In severe cases, you may need surgery to repair or reattach the affected muscle.
What Are the Best Ways to Treat a Strained Chest Muscle?
Treatment for a strained chest muscle will usually depend on its severity or grade. Common treatments include:
RICE Method (Especially important the first 48-72 hours after an injury)
“RICE” stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Your doctor may recommend treating your chest strain with RICE for several days following your injury.
Rest involves taking it easy and avoiding strenuous activities—especially those that cause you to pull your chest muscle.
Ice involves wrapping ice or ice pack in a towel and applying it to the injured part of your chest for 15-20 minutes at a time throughout the day. (Tips and tricks: Don’t have an ice pack at home? Try using a bag of frozen vegetables – wrap a towel around the bag and apply to injured area).
Compression involves wrapping a compression bandage around your torso to reduce swelling and prevent further injury. Remember not to wrap too tightly to restrict breathing.
Elevation involves raising the injured body part above the level of your heart, which could mean sleeping in a recliner or using extra pillows. Rest in a supported and comfortable position.
Medications
Any chest strain pain you feel can usually be managed using acetaminophen extended release or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or high-dose aspirin. If your chest pain persists or is severe, your healthcare provider may prescribe other types of medications like a muscle relaxer.
Make sure to check with your health care provider on what medication options are the best and safest option for you. Some over-the-counter medications have significant drug interactions with certain prescription medications i.e. blood thinners etc. Additionally, some over-the-counter medications are not recommended in patients with certain health conditions, i.e. heart, liver or kidney issues. Always check with your health care provider on what is most appropriate for you.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Rehabilitation involves doing certain exercises and movements that can restore your strength and flexibility and help you maintain muscle function. Your health care provider may provide you with certain exercises and help develop a customized exercise plan. In some cases, your health care provider may even refer you to a physical therapist or occupational therapist who provides these services.
Surgery
Surgery is typically only performed on severe Grade 3 muscle strains that are completely torn.
How To Aid Muscle Strain Recovery
Your health care provider may give you a list of specific instructions regarding how to care of yourself after getting a strained chest muscle. For instance, you may be asked to avoid heavy lifting and other strenuous activities until you are fully recovered.
Other steps you can take to aid in muscle strain recovery include:
- Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water to help your muscles heal. Always check with your health care provider on the right amount of fluid intake for you if you have certain medical conditions such as heart failure.
- Getting plenty of rest and sleep
- Practicing “RICE” Method along with any other recommended treatments
- Doing low-impact exercises that won’t worsen the injury
- Eating a healthy, low inflammatory diet
- Limiting your alcohol intake and tobacco use
- Avoiding sugary foods that contribute to inflammation
Chest pain is also a symptom of several other serious health conditions that require immediate medical attention. Heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia are some of the many health problems that can cause chest pain.
When to Call Your Doctor:
Contact your health care provider if:
- Your pain is severe or getting worse instead of better
- You have significant swelling or bruising
- You are unable to move your arm or upper body
- Your symptoms have not improved after 2–3 weeks of self-care
Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience:
- Chest pain with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating
- Pain that spreads to your jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm
- A feeling of pressure or tightness in your chest
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
These symptoms could indicate a heart problem and need urgent evaluation.
Treating a Strained Chest Muscle with WellMed
Find a clinic near you if you need treatment for a strained chest muscle. Our healthcare providers can help diagnose your condition and help you choose the best treatment plan so you can get back to your usual activities as quickly as possible.
