Question
Hello
I have had a dull ache/soreness that feels muscular in my pectoralis muscle on my left side for about 2 weeks. It sometimes radiates down the left side of my breast. When i press on hollow part where the insertion of the muscle to the front of the shoulder is, i can feel more soreness. I have sub muscular breast implants.
I have been doing some weight training using my arms but not intensively or heavy.
Can you help offer advise? Thanks

Answer
Muscular soreness



Hello Sarah,

I am sorry to hear of your pain.

"....I have had a dull ache/soreness that feels muscular in my pectoralis muscle on my left side for about 2 weeks. ....",  do you have any other symptoms?  Whenever anyone has pain in/ on the LEFT chest, left neck, left shoulder/ left arm:  one of the things to rule out is cardiac issues. In all likelihood your pain is musculoskeletal (= NOT heart related),  but an exam by a medical professional could be indicated here.  Any other symptoms?, any heart history in you or your family?, are you content it is NOT cardiac related ??

In all likelihood- your pain is musculoskeletal, painful yes- but not potentially deadly.  Can you intensify/ and or remiss the pain?- can you make it better or worse with different movements, different positions?  If you can duplicate the pain, make it better or worse- it is musculoskeletal and probably not heart.


".....It sometimes radiates down the left side of my breast. When i press on hollow part where the insertion of the muscle to the front of the shoulder is, i can feel more soreness......"  your chest, your pecs (under/ in your breast area) are worked out with almost every movement.  Has this soreness started AFTER  you started training, or with a change in training?  Perhaps you are doing too much too soon?  Do you work with a tainer?  Do you use improper technique, or too heavy a weight? - things to look at.


".... have sub muscular breast implants....", are these recent?,  how long have they been in place?,  Have the implants ever given you any problem?  Are you in contact with the surgeon who placed them?- ultimately AFTER an exam by a health professional you may be directed to contact your surgeon, IF the implants seem to be implicated (directly or indirectly )  in your complaint.


"....I have been doing some weight training using my arms but not intensively or heavy....", is this new? (see above questions)  have you changed techniques/ machines/ movements/ postures??
This may be simple muscle soreness if you have initiated a new regimen.


"...Can you help offer advise?...."- yes;  if you are concerned enough to write me, if this pain is persisting, if this pain is worsening--- I would see a local health professional for an evaluation.   In all likelihood your pain is musculoskeletal.  Perhaps you are doing a movement incorrectly.  Have you just begun working out??- maybe the implants have altered your muscular biomechanics and you need to alter your workout around the implants.

My recommendation:  see a licensed health professional, perhaps your local Doctor of Chiropractic for an evaluation.  Many chiropractic doctors (DCs) also have additional credentials- I would recommend a DACBSP, or a DACBO = a chiropractic sports injury specialist, or chiropractic orthopedist.  See:  http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf

Be very careful of pain medications as these may raise your blood pressure or cause other damage; here is an information handout I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic office:



Pain  Killing  medication???  =    16,000  deaths   ( probably  under-reported )
                         DEATH ! ? ! ?    better   watch  out  on  those  medications!!!  

PAIN
         
Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?
 
Pain  is  your  body  telling  you  that  something  is  wrong.

  Think  you  should  listen??

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   
Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?

                             NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to  include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468   Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001)  Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement   recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice    to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ).   Many times people take NSAIDS  for  the pain of Arthritis,  not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.   These medications  cover  up  the  pain,  and  cause  the  problem  to   worsen.

Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.

Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.

The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
              A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.


Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine ,  Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to  Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


I recommend a visit to your local DC or MD.  AFTER that you may also need a visit to your surgeon who knows the altered architecture of your chest.

I wish you good luck and good health naturally,  If you need further- do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com : http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thank You for the question,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
Email newsletter:.........http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com