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During My Run Today, It Felt Like I Got Punched

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Posted on Sun, 14 Jun 2020
Question: During my run today, it felt like I got punched from my back through my left chest. And I got a huge headache all at the same time. I wasn’t that far into my run, only 1 lap around the block. The punch was like a thump in my chest and back that shook my whole body but went away in a second. But the headache lasted a couple minutes. And after that I got wicked tired, like really tired. Like I had already done my workout when I only did 1 lap around the block.

I’m a 6 foot male, 203lbs who is getting back into shape. I started a few weeks ago and I run every day with the exception of the weekends. I have back problems, you wouldn’t know by looking but my spine and neck is curved 3 ways. Neck is too straight, spine leans too far right and back. Chiropractor has said it’s multiple scoliosis.

I also visited the cardiologist a month or two ago. A little before the corona. I got a stress test and the X-ray of the heart test but like what they do with pregnant women to see the baby. They said my heart didn’t have anything abnormal about it.

So what happened?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Cardiac cause to be ruled out asap and study for spine

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted your history.
History of feeling like punched from back through left chest needs and urgent EKG for sure - this is as per the history you have provided- thump in chest and back that shook the body but went away in second, headache lasting for few minutes and feeling tired now. You were running and this happened.
If the EKG is normal then surely we can think about other causes like muscle sprain, nerve pinching and so on.
Since you have got scoliosis, MRI and other studies of spine, spinal cord, nerve roots are a must in light of today's symptoms and you are too young - just 26 to have such symptoms. Hence the cause should be found out/ruled out before you resume your work-out.

I hope this answers your query and helps to get a proper diagnosis and management asap.

Take care.
Please give feedback once you get the above tests done.

Dr T Chandrakant.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (47 minutes later)
I had an EKG and stress test about 3 months ago. The cardiologist said there was nothing out of the ordinary. I bring up my back because it has been the cause of left chest pain and left side tingles for a long time. And when I go to the chiropractor, pressing in certain spots of my back trigger headaches.

Would I need another EKG or has the last one been recent enough to rule out heart issues?

The thing is I was panting but I hadn%E2%80%99t gotten too far into my run. Maybe 10 minutes out of 30-45 minutes. So I don%E2%80%99t feel like I was going hard enough to have done any damage. But on the other hand maybe it was Becuase of the past runs?

The dull pain was below my left shoulder back bone and I felt it through straight through my chest and in my head all at the same time. It was short but really felt strong. Could my running just have irritated something in my back that gave me a hit throughout my body? Like a XXXXXXX horse in my chest? Or do you think it%E2%80%99s something else?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As discussed

Detailed Answer:
I can understand what you want to say.
As already mentioned above, getting EKG is a must as per the history you have provided.
EKG 3 month ago is the baseline, you have had symptoms now/today hence the need.
Once this is ruled out (means there is no cardiac reason) then only we can think about other reasons which also I have discussed above.
You have to consult an Orthopedic Surgeon as this will be better than Chiropractor.
Go for detailed investigations such as MRI studies as it may show what exactly is the problem.

I hope this helps you further.
Please give feedback once the investigations and consultation with Orthopedic Surgeon is done.

Dr T Chandrakant.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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During My Run Today, It Felt Like I Got Punched

Brief Answer: Cardiac cause to be ruled out asap and study for spine Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted your history. History of feeling like punched from back through left chest needs and urgent EKG for sure - this is as per the history you have provided- thump in chest and back that shook the body but went away in second, headache lasting for few minutes and feeling tired now. You were running and this happened. If the EKG is normal then surely we can think about other causes like muscle sprain, nerve pinching and so on. Since you have got scoliosis, MRI and other studies of spine, spinal cord, nerve roots are a must in light of today's symptoms and you are too young - just 26 to have such symptoms. Hence the cause should be found out/ruled out before you resume your work-out. I hope this answers your query and helps to get a proper diagnosis and management asap. Take care. Please give feedback once you get the above tests done. Dr T Chandrakant.