Costochondritis: Could It Be the Cause of Your Chest Pain?

Chest pain can understandably be concerning. While chest pain should always be taken seriously, sometimes the source of discomfort can be the muscles, joints and tissues around the ribs and breastbone.

One possible cause is costochondritis, a condition affecting the areas where the ribs meet the breastbone (sternum).

What Is Costochondritis?

Costochondritis is inflammation or irritation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the breastbone.

It can cause sharp, aching or tender pain around the front or side of the chest. For some people, the area can also feel particularly sensitive when pressed.

What Does Costochondritis Feel Like?

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but commonly include:

• Pain or tenderness around the breastbone and ribs

• Discomfort when taking a deep breath

• Pain with coughing or sneezing

• Pain with certain upper-body movements

• Tenderness when pressing around the affected rib joints

Symptoms may come on gradually or sometimes appear after increased physical activity, repetitive movements, coughing or strain through the chest and upper body.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Costochondritis?

In our practice, we have treated many people with costochondritis and chest-wall pain, and we continue to see patients with these symptoms regularly. Many of our patients have reported significant relief and improvements in their symptoms following treatment.

If your chest pain has been appropriately assessed and is considered musculoskeletal, a chiropractic assessment can look at factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.

In our practice, we typically assess the movement and function of the thoracic spine, rib cage, shoulders and surrounding muscles and joints. Stiffness or altered movement in these areas can sometimes contribute to irritation and discomfort around the chest wall.

Where appropriate, treatment may include gentle chiropractic techniques, mobility work and advice on exercises and everyday movements, with the aim of improving function, reducing musculoskeletal tension and helping you return to comfortable movement.

When Should I Seek Medical Advice?

New, severe or unexplained chest pain should always be medically assessed, particularly if it is accompanied by symptoms such as breathlessness, sweating, dizziness, nausea, faintness, or pain spreading into the arm, back, neck or jaw.

Once more serious causes have been ruled out, musculoskeletal assessment may be appropriate.