Pulled Chest Muscle

[TJDhami]

I actually don't do any weight training but do lift heavy stuff at work. over the past almost a month now, I have had a pulled muscle on the right side of my chest that runs from close to under the armpit  to the part of chest under the nipple. it is a continuous nagging Pain, relieved only while I have taken a Advil liquid gel 500mg.
I have been applying PENNSAID and heat to the area but so far not a moticable diffrence. Also the excatly opposit part in the back just under the bone wher it males a |_ also has the same problem but that has improved with the use of PENNSAID.
Please advice how can it be betterd or is there anything else that can be done.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

If the pain has not improved with home treatment for the past month, I would suggest further evaluation done by your doctor to rule out other causes. The chest contains many organs, like the heart, lungs with its pleural covering, esophagus, muscles, ribs, tendons, and nerves. They all can be the source of the pain felt in the chest.

Muscle spasm may be due to inappropriate posture for long time like traveling, driving and certain types of work such as in your case, lifting heavy stuff. Aside from pain medication and warm compress, resting may also be beneficial. Other causes should be excluded like: pleurisy, cardiac causes and  referred pain from problems in the digestive tract such as  IBS, Gastritis and Gastric ulcer, gall bladder disease, and GER. Complete medical history, physical examination, chest x-ray or MRI as well as blood tests may help reach a diagnosis.

Take care and keep us posted.