Logan Steele
A pulled chest muscle, or muscle strain, is a common cause of chest pain and can be quite painful. It can be caused by a variety of activities, including sports, weightlifting, and manual labor, and can range in severity from mild to moderate to a complete muscle rupture. While it is a less serious condition than heart problems, the pain from a pulled chest muscle may be confused with a heart attack. This pain can spread from the chest to the neck, jaw, or down the arms. In the case of a pectoralis major strain, the pain may be felt in the chest or more commonly, at the front of the armpit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Forceful or repetitive motion, like tennis, golf, gymnastics, rowing, weightlifting, manual labor, or sports |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, muscle spasms, inability to lift the arm or move the shoulder, tenderness, bruising, muscle twitching, tightness, weakness, cool skin, etc. |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, X-rays, MRI, ultrasound, bacterial or fungal swab test, etc. |
| Treatment | RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), pain relievers, physical therapy, surgery, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Pectoralis major strain
A pectoralis major strain is a tear in the pectoralis major muscle, which is a powerful chest muscle that connects the front of the chest wall with the upper arm bone. This muscle is responsible for enabling the arm to move forward, rotate inward, and move closer to the body.
Symptoms of a pectoralis major strain include sudden pain in the chest and upper arm, with the pain being more commonly felt at the front of the armpit. There may also be bruising, swelling, and weakness in the affected area. In more severe cases, there can be a visible change to the contour of the upper arm and armpit, and the arm may be substantially weakened.
The treatment for a pectoralis major strain depends on the severity of the injury. Minor strains can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as pain medications and physical therapy. More severe tears may require surgery to repair the ruptured tendon, followed by immobilization in a sling and gradual rehabilitation.
It is important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing chest pain alongside underarm pain, as it could indicate a more serious condition.
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Pectoralis minor strain
A pectoralis minor strain is a type of chest muscle strain. The pectoralis minor is one of the two chest muscles and lies underneath the pectoralis major, forming the anterior wall of the axilla. It is responsible for scapula (shoulder blade) movement and provides support for the shoulder joint.
Pectoralis minor injuries are relatively uncommon but can be caused by poor posture or repetitive trauma to the muscle during gym activities. This can be referred to as "the bench-presser's shoulder". The pectoralis minor may also be injured alongside larger muscles of the shoulder, such as the pectoralis major and the deltoid.
A strained chest muscle usually causes a type of chest pain that gets worse with movement, deep breathing, or coughing. There may be tenderness when touching the injured muscle, pain with arm movements, and difficulty moving the arm. There may also be bruising, swelling, or muscle twitching or spasms.
If you suspect a pectoralis minor strain, it is important to seek a physiotherapy assessment to resolve the problem as soon as possible. Treatment options include a home exercise program, electrotherapy, and postural education. Physiotherapy can also include soft tissue massage of the affected muscle by an experienced therapist.
In most mild to moderate chest muscle strains, the first line of treatment is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). It is important to stop the activity that caused the muscle strain, apply ice to the injured area, and keep the chest elevated, especially at night. You may also take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with inflammation and pain.
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Muscle strain symptoms
Muscle strains, or pulled muscles, are common injuries that cause stretching and tearing of the muscle fibres. They can be categorised into three grades, based on severity:
Grade 1 strain — This involves stretching and injury to the muscle fibres, but there is minimal structural damage. It is characterised by edema or fluid in the muscle on an MRI scan. This grade causes mild damage to the soft tissues and affects less than 5% of the muscle fibres.
Grade 2 strain — This grade involves more extensive damage with more muscle fibres involved, but the muscle is not completely ruptured. There is a significant loss of strength and motion. This grade describes a moderate tear that affects a higher amount of muscle fibres and may affect mobility and strength.
Grade 3 strain — This is a complete rupture of a muscle or tendon. It can present with a palpable defect in the muscle or tendon, although swelling in the area may make this difficult to identify. Surgery may be required for this grade. This describes a complete muscle rupture that may require surgery to reattach the affected tendon to the bone.
The symptoms of a muscle strain include sudden pain that worsens when contracting the muscle, swelling, bruising, and loss of strength and range of motion. The pain from a pulled muscle can be acute (due to an injury or trauma) or chronic (due to repetitive use). A torn muscle feels sore when you try to use it, and you can usually locate the pain in one spot. You may also feel muscle weakness or even an inability to use the muscle at all.
Muscle strains can occur when the force on a muscle is so great that the tissue is damaged. They commonly occur during excessive loading of the muscle, when the muscle is contracting while it is elongating. This can happen during explosive movements, such as sprinting or changing directions in sports. They can also occur gradually through overuse without sufficient rest, known as repetitive strain injuries.
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Pulled chest muscle causes
A pulled chest muscle, or muscle strain, is a common cause of chest pain and can also cause underarm pain. It is caused by a tear in the muscle from overstretching or trauma/injury. The pectoralis major muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that stretches from the armpit to the collarbone and down across the lower chest region on both sides of the chest. It is a powerful muscle that aids in rotating the arm inward and moving it closer to the body.
A pectoralis major strain typically occurs when the muscle is forcibly contracted while in a stretched position, such as during weight training or contact sports. When the muscle is torn, you may feel a sudden pain in the chest or more commonly, at the front of the armpit. In more severe tears, you may experience excessive pain, muscle tightness, weakness, and spasms.
Other common causes of chest muscle strains include sports that require forceful or repetitive motion, such as tennis, golf, gymnastics, and rowing. Weightlifting can also cause a chest strain if the arm is pulled back and overhead quickly or for prolonged periods.
If you have a pulled chest muscle, it is important to stop the activity that caused the strain and rest. You can also apply ice packs or heat to the injured area to help reduce pain and swelling. In most cases, a pulled muscle is a minor injury and can heal on its own within a few weeks with proper care. However, if the pain is persistent or severe, it is important to seek medical help to determine the underlying cause.
In summary, a pulled chest muscle can cause underarm pain due to the involvement of the pectoralis major muscle in the armpit region. The treatment for a pulled chest muscle includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation, and most cases can heal without complication.
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Pulled chest muscle treatment
A pulled chest muscle can cause underarm pain, along with other symptoms such as tenderness when touching the injured muscle, pain with arm movements, and difficulty moving the arm. There may also be bruising, swelling, or muscle twitching or spasms.
If you have pulled your chest muscle, you should seek a medical diagnosis to determine the severity of the injury and rule out other causes. Mild cases can be treated at home and typically resolve within a few weeks. Here are some treatment options for a pulled chest muscle:
Rest
Stop any strenuous activity and take adequate rest until the pain dissipates. It is important to avoid all types of strenuous activity to aid your recovery. Once the pain and symptoms subside, you can slowly return to your normal routine.
Ice
Apply ice packs to the affected area to help reduce pain and swelling. Use ice packs for up to 20 minutes, three times a day. You can also use heat, such as applying heat packs or taking a hot shower, to help relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the area.
Compression
If there is inflammation or swelling, use an elastic compression bandage to wrap your chest. Make sure not to wrap it too tightly, as this can affect blood circulation.
Elevation
Keep your chest elevated, especially at night. Use pillows or a wedge to prop yourself up.
Over-the-counter medications
Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen to help with inflammation and pain.
Massage
Massage the affected area to help relax the muscles and improve blood flow.
For more severe cases or if the pain persists, you may need to see a doctor or physical therapist for further treatment options, such as rehabilitation exercises or, in rare cases, surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
Symptoms of a pulled chest muscle include pain and tenderness along the chest, pain with arm movements, and difficulty moving the arm. There may also be bruising, swelling, muscle twitching or spasms.
Yes, a pulled chest muscle can cause underarm pain. The pectoralis major muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that stretches from the armpit to the collarbone and down across the lower chest region on both sides of the chest. A tear in this muscle can cause pain in the chest or more commonly, at the front of the armpit.
A pulled chest muscle is caused by a tear in the muscle from overstretching it. This can occur during weight training, contact sports, or other athletics that require forceful or repetitive motion.
In most cases, a pulled chest muscle is a minor injury that can heal on its own within a few weeks. The first line of treatment is usually rest, ice, compression, and elevation. For more severe tears or complete ruptures, surgery may be required to reattach the tendon to the bone.
