4. DOMS
DOMS stands for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. In short, this is the muscle pain that we experience following a workout or intensive exercise. The precise cause of this pain is not fully understood, but it is likely to do with either the build-up of metabolites (certain chemicals) within the muscles or with the tiny ‘microtears’ in the muscle fiber (damage to the muscle cells).
Either way, DOMS is a painful experience that can affect the pectoral muscles underneath the breasts. This will normally occur one or two days following intensive exercise, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be intentional exercise: DOMS can occur as the result of a day moving furniture, or a day of gardening even!
You may notice that this pain is worst when moving the arms in a pushing or hinging motion. In the future, try stretching following workouts and gently returning to normal movement even through the slight pain.