The pectoralis minor and pectoralis major muscles in the chest can be torn by pressing a significant amount of weight, such as during a bench press. A person may also tear the chest muscle when moving the arm quickly across the chest as the pectorals cross over the shoulder joint then insert on the arm bone. Immediate treatments for a tear in the chest muscle begin with ice, compression, elevation and rest.
Types
Thermal treatments, including ice and heat, are used to treat a chest muscle tear. Anti-inflammatory medicine may also be taken at the onset of an injury. Electrical stimulation and ultrasound are incorporated along with flexibility and strengthening exercises, usually after the first week from when a person tears his chest muscle.
Function
Ice treatments and anti-inflammatory medicines reduce pain and minimize inflammation around the chest injury. Electrical stimulation improves tissue buildup and relaxes muscles in spasm, according to Peggy Houglum in her book "Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries." Heat treatments, including heat packs, and ultrasound increase circulation to a person's chest strain. Therapeutic exercises are used to restore function and near-normal strength levels of the muscle.
Features
Anti-inflammatory medicines and ice cause the injured blood and lymph vessels to constrict, reducing the natural dilation of these blood vessels when they are injured. Ice and anti-inflammatory medicine stabilize the injury, containing it so it does not affect the healthy tissues surrounding the injury. Electrical stimulation pumps fluid into a person's lymph system, reducing pain. Heat treatments improve the delivery of nutrients and the removal of waste products. Heat also increases a person's ability to stretch and exercise her torn chest muscle. Therapeutic exercises for the injured chest muscle encourage new muscle tissue to align properly, according to Houglum.
Duration
Ice treatments and anti-inflammatory medication are taken immediately and for as long as a person suffers from pain, usually about one week. Electrical stimulation and heat are incorporated after the first week of injury and may continue to be used just prior to therapeutic exercises. Therapeutic exercises for a tear in the chest muscle may last as long as six months in order for the pectorals to gain nearly 90 percent of its strength, advises Houglum.
Warning
If a person suffers from a chest muscle tear, he should seek advanced medical care to ensure proper healing. A poorly healed chest injury will hamper his ability to perform daily activities because the chest muscle is a prime mover of the shoulder joint.
References
- "Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries"; Peggy Houglum; 2005
- MedlinePlus: Muscle Strain Treatment
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