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A persistent cough can be irritating and exhausting, and it can also cause pain in the chest, back, and abdomen. This is because coughing involves the use of many muscles in these areas, and an intense or forceful cough can strain these muscles, making them feel sore or tight. In most cases, a pulled muscle is a minor injury that will heal within a few weeks with proper care, such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation. However, it is important to note that chest pain can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as pneumonia, pleurisy, or a heart attack, so it is always wise to consult a doctor if you are uncertain about the origin of the pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chest pain when coughing | Usually muscle strain, but can also be a sign of pleurisy, pneumonia, asthma, or other serious conditions |
| Muscle strain treatment | RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), yoga |
| Muscle strain symptoms | Pain when breathing, coughing, or sneezing; pain when moving affected muscles; swelling in the area; muscle tightness and soreness |
| Chest pain symptoms | Stabbing or throbbing pain that can range from mild to unbearable; fever or trouble breathing |
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What You'll Learn
Intercostal muscle strain
The intercostal muscles have different layers that attach to the ribs to help build the chest wall and assist in breathing. When an intercostal muscle gets twisted, strained, or stretched too far, it can tear, causing intercostal muscle strain. Symptoms can include sharp, direct pain, stiffness, and mobility difficulties. Pain from intercostal muscle strain can increase with coughing, sneezing, or breathing deeply. It can be difficult to distinguish muscle pain from other types of pain, such as the pain of an inflamed lung. Therefore, if a person is uncertain about the origin of the pain, it is wise to see a doctor.
Diagnosing intercostal muscle strain involves a physical exam to check for any limitations of movement and assess areas that are tender. Imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI scans may also be ordered to rule out other injuries, such as a fractured rib. Home treatment may be sufficient if the injury is not severe, and symptoms are mild. This can include applying an ice pack or cold pack, followed by heat therapy, and resting and limiting all physical activity for a few days to allow time for the muscle strain to recover. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also help reduce swelling and pain.
If you have a cough that is causing muscle strain, you can try bracing yourself by holding a small pillow against the injured muscle as you cough to help with the pain. It is important to note that difficulty breathing means you must seek medical attention right away.
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Chest pain
A persistent cough can strain the muscles in your chest, back, and abdomen, causing chest pain. This pain may be stabbing or throbbing, and it can range from very mild to unbearable. It may also feel like pressure or a squeezing sensation. In addition to chest pain, strained chest muscles may cause tenderness when touching the injured muscle, pain with arm movements, and difficulty moving the arm. There may also be bruising, swelling, muscle twitching, or spasms.
If you have strained a chest muscle, you should stop any activity that causes you to pull your chest muscle further. Applying ice packs or heat to the injured area can help reduce pain and inflammation. If necessary, you can wrap an elastic bandage around your chest to reduce swelling, but be careful not to make the bandage too tight, as this can cause additional pain. It is also important to keep your chest elevated, especially at night, using pillows or a wedge. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with inflammation and pain.
If your chest pain is due to a persistent cough, treating the cough can help alleviate the pain. A persistent cough is often a symptom of a cold or the flu, and in these cases, the cough will usually go away on its own within a few weeks. In the meantime, you can try over-the-counter cough suppressants, drinking plenty of liquids, hot tea or water with honey and lemon, cough drops or hard candies, or a spoonful of honey to soothe your throat. A cool-mist humidifier can also help by putting moisture into the air.
However, chest pain can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, such as pleurisy, pneumonia, lung cancer, or a heart attack. If you are experiencing sudden, unexplained chest pain, or if you have a fever or trouble breathing in addition to chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.
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Treatment for strained chest muscles
Strained chest muscles can be a painful and limiting injury that impacts daily life. It can occur during a strenuous workout, when lifting heavy objects, or from poor form during exercises. A forceful cough or one that lasts longer than three weeks can also strain your chest muscles.
If you have strained your chest muscles, it is important to give your body time to rest and recover. Stop any activities that cause you to pull your chest muscles and allow yourself time to heal. In most mild to moderate chest muscle strains, the best first line of treatment is RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Apply ice or a cold pack to the injured area for 10 to 20 minutes up to three times a day to help reduce pain and inflammation. You can also wrap an elastic bandage around the affected area to help reduce swelling, but be careful not to make the bandage too tight as this can cause additional pain or impair circulation. Keep your chest elevated, especially at night, using pillows or a wedge.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with pain and inflammation. As your pain lessens, you can slowly return to light activity and previous sports and physical activity, but stop if the pain returns.
For chronic muscle strains that don't improve with rest, your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy or changing your exercise routine to build strength in the surrounding areas. Consulting a physiotherapist for targeted exercises can aid healing and prevent future injuries. Some stretches they may suggest include pec stretches and doorway stretches.
In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair torn muscles. If your pain or other symptoms are not improving with home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor.
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Potential underlying conditions
Chest pain from coughing can be due to strained chest muscles. This can be caused by a forceful or repetitive motion, such as in contact sports, or by a persistent cough. Intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs, can be particularly affected by coughing. This can cause pain when breathing, coughing, or sneezing, and the affected area may be tender to touch.
However, it is important to note that chest pain can also be a symptom of more serious underlying conditions. For example, pneumonia, asthma, and pleurisy can all cause chest pain when coughing. Viral illnesses, such as the flu, bronchitis, and mild pneumonia, can usually be treated at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medication. However, bacterial chest infections may require antibiotic therapy, and severe chest infections may necessitate hospitalisation.
Pleurisy refers to inflammation of the pleural tissue, which covers the outside of the lungs and the inside of the chest wall. Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. It can be a potentially dangerous condition, especially for older adults, infants, and those with weakened immune systems.
Chest pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack. If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, such as sharp chest pain, tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
If you are experiencing chest pain when coughing and are unsure of the cause, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Muscle soreness and tightness
Localized muscle pain or soreness in one spot is more likely related to a specific event, like an injury or recent stress on that muscle group. On the other hand, diffuse, all-over body aches are more likely caused by something affecting the entire body, such as a disease. Muscle soreness after exercise is common, especially after trying something new or challenging your body. This is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and occurs anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after a workout, indicating that your muscles are adjusting to your fitness routine.
To ease muscle soreness and tightness, here are some recommended treatments:
- Alternating heat and cold therapy for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Massaging the tight muscle a few times a day to release tension and promote blood flow to the area.
- Resting until the stiffness decreases.
- Taking a warm bath to increase blood circulation.
- Stretching throughout the day, especially before and after exercise.
- Light exercise to keep the blood circulating and speed up the body's ability to drain waste and chemicals linked to muscle aches.
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.
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Frequently asked questions
Tight muscles do not cause a cough. However, a forceful or chronic cough can strain your chest and rib muscles, leading to tightness and pain.
If you experience a sharp pain or hear a cracking or popping sound when you cough, it is likely that your chest muscles are strained. The pain usually peaks during a cough and then improves until the next one.
In most cases, a pulled muscle is a minor injury that can heal within a few weeks with proper care. You can try the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also help.
While chest muscle strain is usually the cause of chest pain when coughing, it could also be due to more serious conditions like pneumonia, pleurisy, or asthma. See a doctor if you are uncertain about the origin of the pain or experience additional symptoms like fever or trouble breathing.
