To anyone who has done this before, how long did it take you to recover? I was doing bench and wasn't even close to the weight I normally do, but I think I went down too low and felt and heard a pop in my left pec. It goes from my tricep to my pec and it hurts to flex, hurts to stretch... any idea how long it'll take to heal? A couple weeks???

Thanks,
Terry

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1. Considering that the lowest you can go on bench is to your chest, you can't go too low on bench. Unless advised not to by a doctor.

2. Go see a doctor.

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a fortnight

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quote:

Originally posted by igottaknow a fortnight

I really hope you're right.

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maybe some muscle fibres tore or got a little ripped from the rib cage. probably 2 weeks. i had surgery once, and they had to cut through my abdominal muscle, and i couldnt walk for 2 weeks, because of that. but once it healed enough, then i started walking with the bloody IV pole.

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just remember it wont be the same, so when it feels fine don't jump into the old routine, slow.

quote:

Originally posted by CraveTheRave To anyone who has done this before, how long did it take you to recover? I was doing bench and wasn't even close to the weight I normally do, but I think I went down too low and felt and heard a pop in my left pec. It goes from my tricep to my pec and it hurts to flex, hurts to stretch... any idea how long it'll take to heal? A couple weeks??? Thanks, Terry

I hate to be the one to give you the bad news, but it will take far more than 2 weeks to recover from a torn pectoral muscle (if indeed you tore it). The most important thing to ingrain in your head is NOT to go back to the bench until you're 100%. These types of injuries take a long time to heal (at least 2 months, if no surgery is required), so restrain yourself from "testing it out" a couple of weeks from now to see how you're feeling. You'll only cause further damage and exacerbate the problem, not to mention prolong your (psychological) suffering because you won't be able to lift like you used to.

And yes, I speak out of experience. I tore my left pec last September (2004) doing too much weight on the bench and had the exact same symptoms you've described (pain when flexing, stretching etc). I went back way too early (2 weeks actually), took breaks when it would hurt, and then would go back again when I felt "better". Of course, it only made it worse everytime, and I never fully recovered properly until I decided to take 4 months off from January to May.

Make sure to rest your entire upper-body COMPLETELY (focus on lower-body if you feel you need to go the gym), and do not be tempted to bench-press at any point in time within the next couple of months. When you finally do go back to the bench, make sure to WARM up with at least a couple of sets (12 reps) of bar-with-no-weights or very light weights, and then gently increase the weights. DO NOT even think of lifting what you used to lift until at least a couple of months back, even if you think you can.

Finally, I strongly recommend that you see a doctor. He'll tell you whether you tore it or not. If indeed that is the case, depending on the severity of the injury, you might need surgery (though highly unlikely). He'll probably be able to enlighten about the best course of action in your specific case, so make sure to consult with experts before taking anyone's word on this forum (including mine).

Thanks everyone. Yeah, I know for me the toughest thing will be not to try and test it in a couple weeks. I know for sure that I won't be doing the same weight for a long while, but I will gradually build back up. I hope it's just a very severe strain rather than a tear.

What about in a couple weeks if I'm feeling much better, I do some pushups? Would that make it worse?

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i used to be a bodybuilder and i snapped my hamstrings doing 5-plate deads. i passed out from shock. many of my friends have torn their pecs. but hearing from what you said, your tear is pretty minor. if it was a full tear, then your whole arm would be in agonizing pain. the best is to lay off the weights completely until it is healed. but if youre a meathead like me, workout the muscle to as much pain as you can tolerate.

oh yea. intake lots of protein (mmmmmmm steak).

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quote:

Originally posted by Kfrogger i used to be a bodybuilder and i snapped my hamstrings doing 5-plate deads.

Jesus christ. I didn't know that could happen.

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Robots, machines, mechanical beings
Automatic and synthetic, we have the means
To take control of this planet and the human race
With our electronic rhythms and the Armageddon Bass

Nothing is wrong, quit being a wimp and double the weight next time

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