A case of pseudo-angina pectoris from a pectoralis minor trigger point caused by cross-country skiing

Gordon E Lawson; Laurie Y Hung; Gordon D Ko; Michelle A Laframboise

doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2011.01.008

A case of pseudo-angina pectoris from a pectoralis minor trigger point caused by cross-country skiing

J Chiropr Med. 2011 Sep;10(3):173-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2011.01.008. Epub 2011 Aug 6.

Authors

Gordon E Lawson¹, Laurie Y Hung, Gordon D Ko, Michelle A Laframboise

Affiliation

¹ Assistant Professor, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article is to illustrate the pectoralis minor muscle as a possible pain source in patients with anterior chest pain, especially those who are known to be beginner cross-country skiers.

Clinical features: A 58-year-old man presented with anterior chest pain and normal cardiac examination findings. Upon history taking and physical examination, the chest pain was determined to be caused by active trigger points in the pectoralis minor muscle.

Intervention and outcome: The patient was treated with Graston Technique and cross-country skiing technique advice. The subject's symptoms improved significantly after 2 treatments and completely resolved after 4 treatments.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates the importance of differential diagnosis and mechanism of injury in regard to chest pain and that chiropractic management can be successful when addressing patients with chest wall pain of musculoskeletal origin.