What should I do for left upper chest pain caused by a trapped wind (intercostal strain)?

Mar 28, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Left upper chest pain caused by a side stitch can be relieved through deep breathing, massage, and medication. A side stitch typically occurs due to spasms in the respiratory muscles during intense exercise, leading to muscle soreness. Besides the methods mentioned above, relief can also be achieved through treatments such as massage therapy. Proper warm-up exercises before engaging in vigorous physical activity are recommended to prevent this condition.

Left upper chest pain caused by a side stitch can be relieved through deep breathing, massage, medication, and other methods. Specific details are as follows:

1. Deep Breathing

A side stitch is usually caused by spasms of the respiratory muscles during intense physical activity, leading to muscle soreness. Left upper chest pain resulting from a side stitch can be alleviated by deep breathing, which helps relax the muscles. This method effectively reduces chest pain caused by muscle spasms.

2. Massage

When experiencing left upper chest pain, massage can improve blood circulation and help relieve pain symptoms.

3. Medication

If the pain is severe, pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, or celecoxib capsules may be taken under medical guidance to alleviate discomfort.

In addition to the above methods, techniques such as therapeutic manipulation (tuina) can also help relieve symptoms. It is recommended that individuals perform proper warm-up exercises before engaging in intense physical activity.