It's not uncommon to experience chest wall pain after lifting weights. When you work the muscles in your chest and shoulders as part of a weightlifting routine, you run the risk of injury or even simple sore, tired muscles. It's likely that the pain you're feeling in your chest wall stems from your weightlifting workout. However, any type of pain in your chest potentially signals cause for alarm, and you should get checked out by a physician to make sure you're not mistaking muscle strain for pain from a cardiovascular problem.
Types of Symptoms
You may be able to differentiate between serious chest pain and pain that indicates overworking your chest muscles by lifting weights. Sharp, stabbing pains you only feel for a few seconds, perhaps when you cough or sneeze, probably don't represent cause for alarm, especially if they occur on one side of your chest and can be isolated by pressing on the area in question.
Alarming Symptoms
If you feel dull pain in the center of your chest, and if it starts and intensifies over the course of a few minutes, it's more likely that you have heart problems than strained muscles, especially if the pain radiates out from your chest to your shoulders or upper arms. Of course, several other medical conditions can cause this type of burning pain, including heartburn and ulcers, so you're not necessarily having a heart attack or angina. However, if you experience pain like this, you should seek medical care immediately.
Injury Treatment
If your doctor determines your chest wall pain stems from your weightlifting activities, you normally can care for your sore and injured muscles at home. Step back from your workout routine for a few days, or at least stop performing exercises that work your chest muscles. If you need something to take the edge off the pain, try ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever.
Other Potential Causes
It's also possible that your chest wall pain stems from injury or inflammation in the connective tissue between your rib cage and breast bone, as opposed to your chest muscles. Even if this is the case, the cure still involves rest and self-treatment using over-the-counter pain relievers. However, don't try to self-diagnose chest pain -- see your physician to rule out any potentially serious causes for your discomfort.
Member Comments