Chest pains on left side while running?!
Question: Chest pains on left side while running?
Recently, for the past week and a half, I've been experiencing horrible chest pains on the left side while I'm running. Sometimes, they're so bad that I have stop for a little while before I can start again. I originally thought that I just pulled a muscle, maybe in the intercostal area- because the pain felt like it was coming from pretty deep inside. But I don't feel it all when lifting, pulling, or pushing anything, which leads me to believe that it doesn't make sense for it to be a muscle pull... I was also sick, throwing up one night, a couple of weeks ago, if that's relevant at all.
The pain concerns me a little bit because a) My family has a history of heart issues b) several members of my family have had cancer... and c) I've been pretty exposed to second hand smoke all my life.
....And, I know, "go see a doctor." I've scheduled an appointment for next week. I was just wondering if anybody here has any opinions of what this might be. Thanks.
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
I often used to get piercing cramps in the side of my chest while running. The most common cause is dehydration, and you're throwing up may be related to it. You have been recently sick, which can cause dehydration. It can take over a week to properly rehydrate yourself. I recommend drinking a fair amount of water and getting potassium in your diet to maybe at least alleviate the problem slightly before a doctor see's you.
sore muscle
Your pain is caused by tight muscles in your back getting pinched enough while running to go into pain. The back muscles often send the pain around the body on the nerves to become pains in the rib, chest or heart areas. To get rid of the pain you have to free up your back muscles and here's how to do that:
Back:
(do from a sitting position)
Place your left hand on your left leg next to your body. Place your right hand over your left shoulder, fingers over the back and the palm in the front and firmly pull down on them and hold. After 30 seconds slowly lower your body forward and to the outside of your left leg, keeping your left arm fairly straight as you do. When you reach your lap remain there for another 10 seconds, release the pressure but rest there for another 30 seconds. Then reverse your hand positions and do your right side.
For best results relax your body first by taking a deep breath and exhaling then remain this relaxed.