Muscles are made up of interconnected cells designed for contraction, which allows the muscle to shorten and be "flexed." Sometimes a muscle can get stretched out, causing the muscle to become "pulled" (slightly strained). Although pectoral muscles are strong, they can become strained if they are used to move your arms too quickly or to move too much weight. Strained muscles will typically heal in three to six weeks, assuming that they are not aggravated.
Step 1
Ice the affected area as soon as possible. Use an ice bag or cold pack, or crush some ice and put it in a plastic bag wrapped in a paper towel. Apply the ice four to eight times per day for approximately 20 minutes at a time (avoid applying for more than 20 minutes to prevent frostbite).
Step 2
Rest the muscle. A pulled pectoral muscle is damaged and somewhat inflamed and will not heal unless it is rested. Try to avoid putting additional stress on the muscle and avoid lifting or moving heavy objects with the affected arm until the muscle heals. A pulled pectoral muscle can be aggravated by physical activity, which will only worsen the symptoms and extend the healing time. If you must use your injured muscle, be gentle and make sure that you warm up and stretch it before physical activity.
Step 3
Give your pectoral muscle additional support. Purchase a chest wrap (which can be found at your local drug store), or wrap an elastic bandage around your chest, making sure to have it snug against the injured muscle so it can have additional support.
Step 4
Take NSAIDs. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, will help relieve the pain of the pulled muscle as well as ease the inflammation that makes the muscle stiff and difficult to move. These include such medications as aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as naproxen.
Things You'll Need
- Ice pack
- Chest wrap
- NSAIDs
