Chest Pain

When it comes to chest pain – myocardial infarction and cardiac chest pain should always be the first consideration, but once ruled out, another avenue can be explored. For instance, chest pain caused by pectoral strain. Strains of the muscles in the chest can be classed according to different severities, namely a grade 1, grade 2 or grade 3 strain.

At The Physicaltherapy Centre our practitioners use a variety of different methods to treat chest pain.

Pectoral strain is one instance in which a patient would feel chest pain.

This is caused through the muscles experiencing a sudden force which results in muscle tears as the muscle cannot withstand this new pressure experienced by the force.

Overusing and over working the pectoral muscles can lead to repetitive strain injuries which can not only strain the muscles severely but also quite significantly hinder movement. Extreme weightlifting is an instance when pectoral strains might occur.

Pectoral strains exhibit symptoms of:

• Frontal chest/shoulder pain of that of a sudden tearing feeling during exercise, vigorous movement or stretching
• Stiffness or pain in the frontal chest/shoulder after exercise, vigorous movement or stretching (the night of or morning after)
• An aching pain which is localised but affects the neck and shoulder and is exasperated into a sharp pain with movement
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Muscle weakness and spasms

At The Physicaltherapy Centre our practitioners use a variety of different methods to treat chest pain, a few of these include:

• Active Release Technique (ART) which through trigger point release can allow for the alleviation of muscle stiffness in and around the muscles leading to pain relief
• A treatment plan which also includes take home exercises and stretches, one can do in the leisure of their own home in order to improve the strength and flexibility of their muscles while also providing ongoing support for the ailment
• The mobilisation and manipulation of joints, the shoulder in this instance can lead to added range in motion in the shoulder with time resulting in relief

Our practitioners may also refer you for an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI or X-ray to be able to attain imagery of the injury to assist in better understanding and development of a treatment plan for effective management of the injury.