Q I am a 29-year-old man and chest pain started after I began going to the gym. Do I have to stop exercising altogether?
A Movements that concentrate force at the front of the chest, such as bench press or push-ups, can worsen the pain and are best reduced until it settles. However, there is no need to stop all exercise; movement within a pain-free range actually aids recovery. Resting only the movements that hurt is the practical approach.
Detailed Answer
There are two common mistakes after pain begins. One is pushing through it, the other is stopping all movement out of fear. The first lets irritation accumulate and prolongs the pain, the second lets stiff areas stiffen further and slows recovery.
The rule is simple. Drop any movement that increases pain while you do it, or leaves pain lingering into the next day. Heavy pressing movements for the chest and sudden wide backward swings of the arm are typical examples. Meanwhile keep activities that do not provoke the pain, such as walking or light back work. As you recover, return in stages starting from lighter loads.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Chest pain that starts after exercise is often reproduced only by particular movements, so in clinic we check directly which movements hurt before deciding where to treat. We release the overly tense areas with acupuncture and set the order of your return to training in step with how much the pain decreases.
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