Pain in the Chest Near the Armpit

Overview

Pain in the chest near the armpit usually comes from the pectoralis major, which fans across the chest and attaches to the upper arm near the armpit. That attachment — and the tendon leading to it — is a common site of strain and overuse pain with pressing and lifting.

This area is also where a pectoral tendon tear happens. A sudden pop, bruising, swelling or a visible change during a heavy press is a different situation from gradual ache and needs prompt assessment.

What This Symptom Feels Like

• Ache near the front of the armpit, sometimes down the inner upper arm
• Pain with pressing, push-ups or lifting the arm across the chest
• Tenderness over the pec tendon at its attachment
• Soreness after a jump in pressing volume
• With a tear: a sudden pop, bruising, swelling, weakness or a visible change in the chest contour

Common Causes

• Pectoralis major strain or tendon irritation from pressing and pushing
• Pectoralis major tear — from a forceful or loaded stretch of the arm, such as a failed heavy bench press
• Pectoralis minor irritation — deeper, closer to the front of the shoulder
• Muscle-belly soreness after new or heavy chest work

Anatomy Usually Involved

• Pectoralis major — attaches to the upper arm near the armpit
• Pectoralis minor — a deeper muscle under the pec major
• Pectoral nerves — supply the chest muscles

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Did the pain start gradually with pressing, or suddenly with a pop during a heavy lift?
• Is there bruising, swelling, a visible change or weakness after the injury?
• Is the pain worse with pressing, with the arm stretched back, or with deep breathing?
• Does the pain reproduce when you press on the spot?

When It's Usually Minor

Gradual aching near the armpit that settles between sessions and improves with load adjustment is usually tendon or muscle irritation that responds to graded training.

When To Seek Medical Care

• A pop during a heavy press followed by pain, bruising, swelling or weakness
• A visible change in the chest or armpit contour
• Significant bruising that spreads down the arm
• Pain that is persistent or worsening despite sensible adjustment
• Chest pressure, shortness of breath or pain spreading to the arm, neck or jaw — seek emergency care

Self-Care Options

• Reduce or pause pressing activity while the area settles
• Ice after activity if it is irritated
• Reintroduce pressing gradually with a gentle isometric exercise
• Follow a graded return to pressing after a strain
• Do not test a suspected tear with heavy pressing

Related Symptoms

• Chest wall pain — muscular chest pain in other locations
• Chest pain: when it needs urgent care — to check before assuming a muscle cause

Related Injuries

• Pec strain vs pec tear
• Pec major strain or tear
• Sternoclavicular joint sprain

Related Anatomy

• Chest wall anatomy — the layers of the front chest
• Pectoralis major anatomy — the large front chest muscle

Related Exercises

• Pec isometric press
• Return to pressing after a pec injury

References

1. Long C, et al. "Injuries of the Pectoralis Major: Diagnosis and Management." Orthopedic Reviews. 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9797018/
2. Bodendorfer BM, et al. "Treatment of Pectoralis Major Tendon Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7005984/
3. StatPearls. "Anatomy, Thorax, Pectoralis Major Major." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525991/

This information is for education only and is not a medical diagnosis. InjuryAtlas does not replace an assessment by a qualified health professional. If you have severe pain, visible deformity, numbness, loss of function, or symptoms that are getting worse, seek medical care promptly.