Pulled Chest Muscles

Anatomy and Description

There are two major muscles in the chest, both of which are susceptible to various types of injuries. Pulled chest muscles are often very painful, though the severity of the injury tends to be relatively mild, except in extreme cases. The major muscle in the chest is the pectoralis major, commonly referred to as the “pecs,” is a large muscle in the front of the ribcage. It originates from the breastbone in the central region of the chest, and attaches to the humerus, near the shoulder joint.

The function of the pectoralis major is to allow movement in various angles of the humerus across the body. The pectoralis minor is located under the pectoralis major, and originates on the middle ribs, and attaches to the coracoid process of the scapula. The pectoralis minor serves to move the shoulder forward, as seen during shrugging.

Causes of Injury

As with most muscles, the process of overloading or overstretching is the cause of injury in the chest. Overloading can mean putting excessive weight on the pectoralis major or minor, and can happen quickly as a result of a sudden pressure, or over time as weight increases and the muscle is not prepared.

Overstretching the pectoralis major and minor cause similar injury, and often times small tears occur in the muscle fibers. Muscle fiber tears occur most often at the joining area of the muscles and tendons. These tears are typically minor, and heal in time, though medical attention may be needed if the tears are severe.

Common Activities Causing Injury

There are a variety of activities that can cause injury to the chest muscles. One of them is heavy lifting. Often people do not realize the load they are lifting is too heavy for their muscle ability, and that is when injury occurs. Extreme coughing can also pull a muscle in the chest, especially if the coughing is repetitive and drawn out from an illness. People who are given CPR may also experience similar symptoms, especially if it was a long process.

Car accidents are also notorious for causing pulled chest muscles. Often times when a person gets into an accident, their chest muscles take the brunt of the injury, and become strained when trying to keep the body in line. Playing sports is a common cause of chest muscle injury, especially those that use the chest muscle excessively. Examples of these types of sports are tennis, boxing, basketball, and baseball, all of which use the chest muscles almost constantly for movement.

Treatment and Recovery

The most important key in treatment and recovery of a pulled chest muscle is rest and limiting usage. Chest muscles should not be immobilized, but movement should be gradual and gentle, avoiding re-injury. Bed rest may be helpful for the first few days, as it can allow the chest muscles to relax instead of being forced to keep the body upright while walking or sitting. Ice applied during the initial 48 hours following the injury can be helpful in the reduction of swelling, and then heat can be used to increase blood flow and loosen tight muscles in the recovery process.

Over the counter medications such as ibuprofen, Advil, Tylenol or other pain relievers may be helpful in easing the discomfort associated with pulling the chest muscle. If after a few days of rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications there is still pain, it may be necessary to consult medical attention to see if severe damage was done, at which point surgery, rehabilitation, or physical therapy may be necessary for proper recovery.

Prevention of Future Injury

Follow-up care with a physician following an injury can be helpful for preventing future injury, as they can help out with tips and exercises that can strengthen muscles and make them less susceptible to future injury. Good posture, healthy lifting techniques, and stretching regularly keep the muscles fluid and strong, making them more able to handle activity without injury. Daily exercise will also keep muscles strong and effective, especially when paired with stretching beforehand.