Chest Wall Strain

Home care

• Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine for pain and swelling. If the chest is strained from coughing, a cough medicine may be prescribed. Follow the healthcare provider's specific instructions. Don't use any other pain medicine unless you check with your healthcare provider first.

• Rest as needed.

• Use cold, as directed. It can help reduce swelling and pain. Wrap a cold pack or a bag of frozen peas in a thin towel. Apply this to the affected site for up to 20 minutes, 4 to 8 times a day. Don't apply cold for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

• Hold a pillow to the affected area when coughing. This can help ease pain from the injury.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider for any of the following:

• Pain not relieved by medicine

• Pain that continues for longer than 7 days

• Trouble moving normally

• Redness developing, swelling, or pain getting worse and not better

Call 911

Call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical services if you have any of the following:

• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or fast breathing

• New or sudden worsening chest pain

• Sudden weakness or numbness