Sudden sternum pain on any chest exercise?

[Eternal_water]

even press ups.

I've never had any issues with chest exercises before, but a week ago on my very first set of bench press, my sternum was in quite some pain on every rep.
I abandoned the chest workout and did arms instead.

Its about 5 days later now and the pain is still there, even on a push up, I can sometimes notice it if I just stretch in a certain way.

I'm going to avoid all chest exercises for a few weeks and hope that sorts it out (and hopefully not lose any chest muscle).

Any of you had this kind of issue before?

 

[Billtx49]

Is it an inverted sternum?
And what's your age?

 

[Eternal_water]

I don't know what that is but I would say I have a normal sternum.

I'm a 25 year old fit male.

 

[Billtx49]

Inverted means it is deeper than the rib cage.

 

[Eternal_water]

Ok, no I don't.

 

[Billtx49]

Have no idea then. Inverteds can put pressure on organs and get pain in that area during strenuous excercise when under 30 or so.

 

[Billtx49]

Best advice I can think to give: rest for a few days see if the pain/discomfort subsides.

If it continues after resting then make an appt. to see a doc.

Yes, I would suggest getting the bone and cartilage structure looked at professionally also if the muscular feeling pain does not ease with rest.
Consider getting a heart stress test also if pain persists.

 

[Eternal_water]

I didn't do any chest exercises since making the thread. The pain was still there if I moved a certain way or sneezed.
I was in the gym today and decided to try very low weights and work up to my normal amount if there was no pain.

No pain at the low weights, it was there at the high weights.

Then I discovered that by locking my abs as hard as I could throughout the bench press, the pain went away entirely.
So I can still bench press as long as I lock my abs as hard as possible during the movement.

 

[Billtx49]

Sounds like the problem still exists then.

 

[Eternal_water]

Yes, but at least I don't have to lose chest muscle while the healing process takes place.

 

[Billtx49]

Sounds like it might be diaphragm related to me. It attaches close to sternum also. The ab tightening would lift it and take pressure off.

 

[marmel75]

Could be cartilage tear, could be an issue where the chest muscle connects to the sternum, hard to say...