Muscle cramp causing chest pain

Muscle cramp causing chest pain (theory)
Please note: This section of the article is included as theory.
Consultation is ongoing with th Cardiac Investigation Unit at Gloucester Royal Hospital
Although no references have been supplied - this is a new area that is of a high importance and confirmation will be supplied by the requisite authority shortly...
Muscle cramp causing pain in the upper chest region has an effect that can mimic more serious causes of chest pain. Due to the serious nature of muscle cramp causing chest pain, and potential to have a negative impact on the breathing cycle, immediate treatment is often essential.
For a short summary of the immediate treatment of muscle cramp causing chest pain: read below
For more detailed information on the causes of cramp please click here: cramp
Please note: It is suggested that medical advice is sought after having experienced chest pain.
Summary for immediate treatment of muscle cramp causing chest pain
* Apply a soft massage on the cramped muscle (if possible)
* Raise your hands up above you to stretch the muscle
* Apply heat or cold. Heat improves superficial blood circulation and makes muscles more flexible, so some people find heat to be soothing for muscle cramps. Application of excessive heat or cold to sore muscles may bring on cramps.
* Breathe in deeply through the mouth...
On this point please note - it may be necessary to utilise the diaphragmatic breathing method (summary below)
Diaphragmatic Breathing summary:
Diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing or deep breathing is the act of breathing deep into your lungs by flexing your diaphragm rather than breathing shallowly by flexing your rib cage.
This deep breathing is marked by expansion of the stomach (abdomen) rather than the chest when breathing. It is generally considered a healthier and fuller way to ingest oxygen, and is often used as a therapy for hyperventilation and anxiety disorders.
Diagphragmatic breathing technique:
(This is taken from the diagphragmatic breathing page)
To breathe diaphragmatically, or with the diaphragm, one must draw air into the lungs in a way which will expand the stomach and not the chest. It is best to perform these breaths as long, slow intakes of air - allowing the body to absorb all of the inhaled oxygen while simultaneously relaxing the breather.
To do this comfortably, it is often best to loosen tight-fitting pants/belts/skirts as these can interfere with the body's ability to intake air. While at first one may not feel comfortable not expanding the chest during breathing, diaphragmatic breathing actually fills up the majority of the lungs with oxygen, much more than chest-breathing or shallow breathing.

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