Costochondritis causes inflammation and as a result leads to pain and discomfort within the chest area closer to the breastbone. It is a common occurrence caused by various possible factors mentioned in this post. There are treatment options to help manage the situation. You can visit a chiropractor for this treatment.
What causes costochondritis?
Its the name of the condition by which inflammation occurs in the chest. It happens within the region of ribs that connects to the sternum (breastbone).
Symptoms experienced by patients:
- Pain in the front of the chest in the region where the ribs meet
- Pain during breathing or coughing
- The rib joints are sensitive to the touch
- Sometimes patients feel pain behind one side of their scapula (shoulder blade). This can effect either side of the back
- A sharp or shooting pain in the back
Take immediate action and consult your GP if you or someone you know experiences:
- A fever
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Unusual sweating
- Swelling or redness in the chest area (possible infection)
There are many possible factors that cause this. Oftentimes it is as a result of a fungal infection. Sometimes when a patient overexerts themselves this can also add strain to the chest in the front-ribs region. This is the common case with over working during exercise. Repeated trauma to the chest wall (through high-impact sports, broken ribs or fractures) can also lead to the condition.
There are also cases where a patient may develop the condition because of frequent sneezing, coughing, severe weather such as high winds or dampness. Lastly, pregnancy is another cause for costochondritis.
Diagnosis for costochondritis
Because the symptoms include chest pain, making a proper diagnosis means to eliminate any other possible health conditions. These are done with a series of tests including an ECG (electrocardiogram), x-rays, and lab work. Costochondritis often causes pain that “mimics” similar characteristics of a heart-attack, especially that it occurs on the left side. Sometimes the symptoms can also seem similar to a pulmonary embolism (blood clot inside the lung). This is even more reason, why patients who are experiencing this type of pain MUST have it checked by a doctor ASAP!
Chiropractic treatment for costochondritis
Visiting a chiropractor for this condition is a natural and non-invasive solution to managing the condition. This is important for pregnant mothers to be, who cannot risk using medications during their pregnancy. Once your doctor confirms this diagnosis, you can start treatment. Chiropractors focus on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and because this relates to the ribs, there is definitely a solution.
Breathing causes the ribs to expand and contract and results in chest pain because of the inflammation. If your chiropractor finds that the ribs are taking strain due to being a bit out of position, then it can be gently adjusted using specialised tools to very gently, glide or tap it into place.
This should already start alleviating some of the pain caused by the pressure of the ribs contracting and expanding. Adjustments take place in the front and the back of the chest because the ribs are all connected.
Chiropractors treating costochondritis will also use heat or ice treatment depending on the patient’s body’s needs. This will help to reduce the swelling.
If you’re suffering from costochondritis and need help, contact your chiro in Pretoria for safe, professional chiropractic care. Book online now
FAQ for costochondritis
What triggers costochondritis?
The exact cause is still unknown but conditions that can cause this is trauma to the chest from a car accident
What does costochondritis pain feel like?
Sharp pain in your chest mainly on the left side
What helps relieve costochondritis?
Heat or Ice
Where is costochondritis pain located?
Costochondritis most commonly affects the upper ribs on the left-hand side of your body
Can a chiropractor fix costochondritis?
Yes a chiropractor can help