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Massage Therapy for Pectoralis Major PainMassage therapy is a fantastic treatment for decreasing pectoralis major muscle spasms and pain. The pectoralis major muscle is commonly injured with people who have poor posture or perform heavy lifting. People with rounded shoulders shorten the muscle and reduce its flexibility. Eventually the muscle becomes shortened, which reduces your ability to pull your shoulder, scapulae, or arms backwards. This makes people more likely to develop direct injury to the pectoralis, arm, shoulder, neck, or back. The pectoral muscle spasm creates chronic neck pain, stiffness, dull, ache, twinges, burning, and even contributes to headaches. The muscle pain can get worse at the end of the day, especially when working on the computer.Pectoralis Major Muscle PainThe pectoralis major muscle is a large fan shaped muscle running from the clavicle, sternum, first 7 ribs, and upper abdominal muscles to the upper humerus. It is a very large and powerful muscle. Most of us think of it when we think of chest muscles. It is involved in most arm lifting, pulling, or carrying movements.Because of its strength and position, pectoralis major spasms pull the arms and shoulders down and forward. This position changes the curves of the neck and shoulders, leading to back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain with sitting and standing. When the shoulders are pulled forward, it increases the likelihood of developing shoulder pain and injuries. Pectoralis major muscle spasms can lead to trigger points developing in the muscle. Trigger points are areas of muscle that have been injured to the degree that it radiates pain to other areas. Mild muscle injuries hurt at the location of the injury only. Worse injuries radiate pain a couple inches. Bigger muscle injuries radiate pain to other areas of the body. Trigger points in the pectoralis major muscle radiates from the chest, to the shoulder, and even down to the elbow. At its worst, pain can be felt in the 3rd and 4th fingers of the hand. The pain originally begins as stiffness and mild soreness in the chest. An increased dull ache or burning may develop as the muscle becomes more injured, and eventually leading to a deep throbbing ache across the shoulder or down the arm. The pain is relieved by resting, icing, or stretching. Over the counter NSAIDs often help relieve some of the muscle pain. As mentioned earlier, pectoralis major muscle spasms create pain and injuries in the neck, shoulders, and back by changing the shoulder position. The pectoralis muscle should be evaluated and addressed in someone complaining of neck, shoulder, or back pain. Treatment of Pectoralis Muscle PainMassage therapy works to decrease the pectoralis muscle spasms and pain. This will increase the flexibility and integrity of the muscle, which will decrease frequency, duration, and intensity of pain in the neck, back, and shoulder frequency.If the levator scapulae muscle spasms are contributing to headaches, treatment works to decrease headache intensity, frequency, and duration. Massage therapy works to decrease muscle spasm, tenderness, and referral pain. It brings more blood to the area and reduces edema around the muscle. It helps to increase muscle flexibility and range of motion. People often report feeling their shoulders move backwards and posture improve within a few weeks. When a trigger point is present, the massage therapist may cause radiating pain down the shoulder and arm every time the knot is worked. When pectoralis muscle spasms are associated with neck pain or headaches, treatment helps decrease the intensity and frequency of pain within a few visits. Many people feel better during the day with their improved posture. Their neck and shoulder range of motion is maintained throughout the day, and they feel better sitting with proper posture. Headaches will become less frequent. Stretching the pectoralis muscle is very helpful to enhance treatment. Stretching at home speeds your recovery and decreases the chest, shoulder, and neck pain. It improves flexibility and reduces that likelihood of developing future shoulder injuries. If you feel like your pectoralis muscle trigger points are contributing to your headaches, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, chest, or arm pain consider massage therapy for your treatment. Please look for a skilled and trained therapist who frequently treats people with complex and intertwined muscular problems. Please contact us with any questions or if you feel massage therapy
treatment will help you with your back and neck spasms and pain. |
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