The trigger points of the Pectoralis Major can cause extremely alarming misdiagnoses, especially when they simulate severe heart problems.
In addition, there are somatovisceral effects which consist of somatic-muscular reflections of visceral syndromes. In such cases, the trigger points of the Pectoralis Major can: not exclude, co-exist or be a consequence of cardiac syndromes.
It is therefore always importat to rule out conditions that give similar symptoms, including Angina Pectoris.
More generally, the common symptoms of the syndrome of the pectoralis major can be traced to a number of different conditions, of which examples are:
- Angina Pectoris
- Muscle tears
- Biceps tendinitis
- Tendinitis of the Supraspinatus
- Subacromion bursitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Radiculopathy of the C5, C6, C7, C8
- Intercostal neuritis
- Bronchitis, pleurisy, or esophagitis
- Hiatal hernia
- Emphysema
- Lung cancer
- Coronary insufficiency
- Costochondritis or Tietze's Syndrome
- Breast cancer
It should also be noted that J. Travell demonstrated that even non-cardiac pain can alter the ECG T-wave making it even easier to issue misdiagnoses.
Inoltre l'infarto del Miocardio puo' essere causa stessa di Punti Trigger del Gran Pettorale, e in tali casi il dolore al petto rimarra' anche molto tempo dopo l'attacco cardiaco con conseguente stress psicologico del paziente, ma solo una Terapia di Punti Trigger opportuna potra' rimuovere lo strascico doloroso.
In addition, myocardial infarction itself may cause trigger points of the pectoralis major, and in such cases, the chest pain will remain long after the heart attack resulting in the patient's psychological stress, but only one appropriate trigger point therapy will be able remove the residual pain.
The clavicular section of the Pectoralis Major, in addition, if afflicted by trigger points, will pull down the clavicle, and this in turn will stress the Sternocleidomastoid, which will then developtrigger points itself, with consequent symptoms of autonomic character.
In the end, making an accurate diagnosis will not be easy! It is very important then, to have a chance to explore myofascial syndromes in parallel with various other diagnoses that such heterogeneous symptoms can cause.