AboutBryan Ruchin, PT, DPT, MSPT Expertise I am a physical therapist that treats all types of musculoskeletal disorders including orthopedic, vestibular, neurologic, and geriatric issues. I am also a specialist and the only therapist in Georgia that treats coccygeal pain and related pelvic and back pain. I am affliated with all types of sports ranging from highschool to professional.
Experience I have been practicing since 2005 and am actively involved in research in all my fields. I am listed as a specialist for treating coccygeal disorders. I am a active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia.
Organizations APTA, PTAG, AAOMPT
Education/Credentials I graduated from Georgia State with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology,from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Masters in Physical Therapy, and from Sage College with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Question I seem to have strained my pectoral muscle during a recent workout. I am 47 years old, 5'-9, 164 lbs, in good shape and I am new to weight training. I had been running 3 miles, 3 days a week when I decided to join a gym 6 weeks ago. I work out about 3 times per week and I still run once or twice per week. I do a full body workout that was prepared for me by a fitness trainer. Two weeks ago I was working on the bench press with more weight than I had previously used and the next day I had a soreness/strain in my pectoral muscle that did not go away. I have no bruising or any physical signs of injury but every time I work out the soreness comes back. (I tried the bench and stopped after 5 reps and I haven't used it since). I tried limiting my workout to exercises that isolate the biceps and triceps and some plank exercises but the soreness persists. I really enjoy working out but I have concluded that I have to shut down all upper body work to allow my strain to heal. How will I know when I can ease back into my workout and how should I go about it?
Answer Jim,
you need to stretch your pec out and use really light weight to work it out. high reps, low low weight to retrain the muscle properly. ease back into your workouts. typically you need to give a muscle about 1-2 weeks to calm down. then you can build it back up.
