Musculoskeletal chest pain can be alarming since any pop in of chest pain can raise concerns aboutheart disease.
Heart disease, however, is only one of the many types of conditions that can produce chest pain.
One of the more frequent causes of non-cardiac chest pain is a strained chest muscle.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
The article will explore some causes of musculoskeletal chest pain and how strained chest muscles are diagnosed and treated.
What Causes Musculoskeletal Chest Pain?
There are several causes of musculoskeletal chest wall pain.
Sometimes, it indicates a serious problem that may require specific treatment.
Strained Chest Muscles
Trauma or overuse can cause painful muscle sprains, strains, or bruises.
Overuse can include repetitive movements such as swinging a tennis racket.
In some instances, you might not remember when a chest muscle strain happened.
Osteoporosis orvitamin D deficiencymay increase the risk of fractures.
The pain of costochondritis usually can be reproduced by pressing on the affected area.
The causes of costochondritis are not well understood.
Costochondritis usually resolves without treatment.
Sometimes it is treated with localized heat or stretching exercises, but it is unclear whether such measures help.
Consulting with a chiropractor may also be useful.
The “moving” rib impinges on nearby nerves, producing the pain.
Surgery may be required to stabilize the slipping rib.
The pain from precordial catch typically occurs at rest.
During the episode, the pain increases with breathing.
After a few seconds or a few minutes, the pain resolves completely.
The cause of this condition is unknown, and it usually isn’t harmful.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a relatively common syndrome that causes musculoskeletal pains.
Pain over the chest is common with this condition.
How Are Strained Chest Muscles Diagnosed?
If you have chest wall pain, it’s important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
A diagnosis may be based on your symptoms and a physical exam.
If an activity causes pain, ease off and rest whenever possible.
Additional tests may be needed.
In most cases, the treatment will be related to pain management and rest as the area heals.
Ayloo A, Cvengros T, Marella S.Evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal chest pain.Prim Care.
2013;40(4):863-viii.
2015;5(1):e007442.
doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007442
Vinther A.Rib stress fractures in rowers.BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil.
2015;7(Suppl 1):O18.
Keskindag B, Karaaziz M.The association between pain and sleep in fibromyalgia.Saudi Med J.
2017;58(1):39-46. doi:10.1007/s00108-016-0166-z
American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries.
