How To Treat Pulled Muscle In Chest

You've just gotten a pulled chest muscle and want to know how to treat a pulled muscle in the chest. Just about every daily activity you do uses your chest muscles. You use chest muscles to lift things, when you sit up or lie down, and also when you bend over. A pulled chest muscle happens when a muscled in the chest is abruptly pulled or pinched. It is also known a strained chest muscle. A pulled muscle in the chest can occur during strenuous activities such as exercising, playing sports, or lifting heavy objects.

To treat a pulled muscle in the chest you need:

• ice packs and hot packs
• pain reliever
• rest

1. Stop using the muscles in your chest. Stop doing any activity that strains the muscle in your chest even more. Limit your everyday activities as best as you can until your muscles begin to heal.
2. Use an ice pack on the pulled muscles in your chest. As soon as possible after the injury place an iced pack on the area around your pulled chest muscles. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel so it will not be placed directly on your skin. The ice will help to reduce the swelling. Apply the ice pack about 3 times a day for the first three days for about 20 minutes each time.
3. Use a hot pack after the first few days. Once the swelling goes down, and hot pack will help to soothe the muscles to help to give additional relief. If the hot pack seems to be irritating instead of helping, discontinue its use.
4. Take over the counter medication. Ibuprofen or Tylenol works well to help decrease pain. Make sure to follow the dosing instructions on the bottle, and take as often as needed based on the instructions.
5. Get plenty of rest. Rest will help you body to be able to recover from injury. If possible, try not to use up a lot of energy during the day to allow your body to get adequate rest. Also, get plenty of sleep during the night, propping plenty of pillows behind you back and sleeping in an upward, partially sitting position. This will help to lessen the pain of the pulled muscle in your chest.
6. Gradually get back into normal everyday activities. Once the pain has lessened begin to slowly stretch out your chest muscles. Everyday continue to stretch as you do a little more movement. Begin to lift only light things at first and do some exercising. Before you get back to heavier lifting or activities make sure that your chest muscles have completely healed. If the pain continues or you have questions, contact your health care provider.