What could be causing your chest pain?
There could be many reasons for chest pains. However, it is always good to first see a doctor when experiencing chest pains to rule out any heart diseases.
Costochondritis
Is the inflammation of the cartilage where the upper ribs attach to the sternum.
It is caused by:
Repeated movements on the chest (such as bouncing a soccer ball on chest)
Excessively using your arms
Arthritis
Bacterial and fungal infections.
How do you know you may have costochondritis?
Tenderness when pressing on the sternum.
Sharp pain at the sternum, usually more to your left side and can spread to your back and stomach.
Painful when taking in a deep breath or coughing. But pain eases when you breathe shallower or stop moving.
If there is redness, and swelling in the area of the sternum, usually typical if caused by an infection.
Treatment:
Rest with ice or heat therapy.
Anti-inflammatory medication.
Stretching.
Intercostal strain
It is one of the more common reasons for chest pain. A strain occurs when a muscle is over stretched or torn. The intercostal muscles lie in between the ribs and assist in breathing.
The intercostal strain will usually occur when twisting the torso such as when playing tennis.
How do you know if you have strained your intercostal muscles?
A sharp pain, either immediately or when coughing or sneezing.
The area is sore if you touch it.
It is painful to breathe normally.
There is swelling in between the ribs.
Treatment:
Rest from aggravating activities.
Ice or heat on the area.
When slowly returning to activity, ensure that you warm up.
Pectoralis strain
Occurs when the muscle is stretched and contracted at the same time causing the muscle to tear usually when doing a bench press or in wrestling.
How do you now your pectoralis muscle is strained?
You may feel a pain in the chest or at the front of your armpit.
In a mild tear you may still be able to continue with your workout, but the pain may gradually increase after activity.
In a complete tear you would feel pain immediately and a significant increase in muscle weakness.
Treatment:
In the first 48 hours you should rest and ice the injured area.
Seek advisement form your doctor our physical therapist within a few days following the injury for a treatment plan.
References:
Axtell, B., 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health/intercostal-muscle-strain#outlook .
Sports clinic NQ, N/D, https://sportsclinicnq.com.au/pectoralis-major-strain/#:~:text=A%20pectoralis%20major%20strain%20typically,is%20stretched%20across%20the%20chest.