Chest pain, costochondritis, is not a heart attack

Chest pain, costochondritis, is not a heart attack

Overview

Costochondritis is one of the most common causes of chest pain. The extreme pain may be mistaken for a heart attack. But it's usually harmless and fades away without therapy. However, chest pain should be taken carefully, especially if it persists for two days. If you experience chest pain, see a doctor for heart disease. Costochondritis may be mistaken for uncommon Tietze syndrome. Costochondritis and Tietze syndrome both induce inflammation, although they differ:  

Physical therapy can treat costochondritis and joint inflammation between the breastbone and ribs. This issue can cause pain and irritation, but PT exercises can help you operate normally.

This page describes costochondritis, its symptoms, and physical therapy rehab.

Common costochondritis symptoms:

Costochondritis

• Chest ache: Sharp, painful, or pressure-like left breastbone ache. It might radiate back or to the abdomen.
• Movement increases pain: Deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, and chest wall movement worsen it.
• Tenderness: Breastbone sides may be sensitive or palpitating.
• The fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs often hurt.
• Infections following surgery can cause redness, swelling, and pus discharge.
• Consistent chest pain should be checked for heart attacks.

What causes costochondritis?

Multiple things may cause it, however, the actual reason is unknown:

• Costochondritis can result from a car accident or fall.
• It can result from hard lifting, intense activity, or severe coughing.
• Costochondral joint inflammation can result from viral, bacterial, or fungal diseases.
• Arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other inflammatory illnesses can cause costochondritis.
• Both benign and malignant tumors can damage costochondral connections.

Physical stresses can cause costochondritis in several ways:

• Heavy lifting, hard activity, and regular coughing can strain the costosternal joint and cause inflammation.
• Overuse of Chest Muscles: Weightlifting and rigorous physical exercise can stress cartilage and create inflammation.
• Direct Trauma: A car accident or fall can destroy ribcage cartilage and cause costochondritis.
• Physical strains can inflame cartilage, causing costochondritis' chest pain and tenderness.

Assessing Costochondritis

Initial costochondritis evaluations are done by physical therapists. You're asked:

• How does your chest pain start and feel?
• If symptoms change,
• Does it make your pain better or worse?
• How pain affects breathing and standing up
• During history-taking, your therapist can assess costochondritis severity. 
• Extreme cases limit breathing and position changes, while mild cases may cause pain but not functional mobility.

Common Exams

After taking your history, your physical therapist will do various tests to determine what impairments may be causing costochondritis.

Common assessments include:

• Palpation
• Motion range measurements
• Measurements of strength
• Flexibility measurements
• Rib mobility
• Neck, midback, and lower back mobility
• Assessment of breathing and pulmonary function

Your therapist should be able to diagnose and treat costochondritis after an evaluation. You will be given a treatment plan and chest pain rehab goals.

Costochondritis treatments that work?

Costochondritis treatment targets pain and inflammation. Some effective treatments:

• Rest and Activity Modification: Avoid painful activities to recuperate.
• Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can relieve pain and inflammation.
• Gentle chest stretching exercises can help with physical therapy.
• Heat and Cold Therapy: Heat and cold packs relieve pain and inflammation.
• If conservative methods fail, injecting numbing medicine and a corticosteroid into the aching joint can help.

Nerve Stimulation: 

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) sends a small electrical current via adhesive patches on the skin near the pain to block or mask pain signals.

COPD Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for costochondritis helps control pain, reduce inflammation, and improve movement to relieve rib cartilage pressure. An orthopedic physical therapist, a musculoskeletal expert, helps most costochondritis patients.

Different modalities and movements can improve movement. They may include:

• Rib mobilizations to promote rib movement during respiration
• Spinal joint mobilizations improve thoracic spinal joint glide and sliding.
• Range of motion and stretching activities help relieve inflamed rib cartilage and increase mobility.
• Exercises to maintain proper posture and relieve rib cartilage pressure
• Breathing exercises to promote deep breath and rib movement
• Pain and inflammation can be reduced with other treatments. 
• Heat and ice can enhance circulation and reduce discomfort and swelling around irritated tissues. 
• Dr. doesn't utilize ultrasound or electrical stimulation because the cartilage is near the heart. These treatments should not be done near your heart.

Therapy requires active participation. The therapist will likely recommend exercises to improve rib and chest movement.

Costochondritis exercises

Costochondritis exercises enhance chest wall and rib mobility. This can reduce pain and improve rib and thorax movement. Postural workouts reduce cartilage inflammation.

A randomized controlled trial of physical therapy for non-cardiac chest discomfort after a cardiac incident.

Contact your doctor before starting a costochondritis exercise regimen to verify safety.

Pectoral Corner Stretch

The video about pectoral corner stretch

• The pectoral corner stretch increases chest muscle flexibility. To stretch:
• Stand 2 feet from the wall, facing a corner.
• Raise your arms with your forearms against the wall on each side of the corner.
• Your hands, forearms, and elbows should touch the wall.
• Stretch your front chest muscles by slowly leaning toward the corner.
• Relax after 15–30 seconds of holding the stretch.
• Stretch three to five times.

Pectoral Doorway Stretch

• You can also extend pecs through a doorway. For this stretch:
• Stand in a doorway with your elbows and forearms against the doorjambs on either side.
• With your elbows against the doorjamb, carefully bend forward to stretch your front chest muscles.
• Hold the stretch for 15–30 seconds.
• Three to five times.
• Capula Squeeze

The scapula squeeze improves posture and thoracic muscle control. Perform this exercise:

• Sit comfortably and softly pinch your shoulder blades in the back.
• For three seconds, pretend to squeeze a pencil between your shoulder blades.
• Regain the starting position slowly.
• Repeat 10-15 times.
• With a resistance band, the scapula squeeze is harder:
• Hold each end of the band around something stable.
• Pinch your scapulae and bend your elbows like rowing.
• Let go softly.
• Do the workout 10–15 times.

Stability Ball Lying Chest Stretch

• A stability ball can also open your chest wall and stretch your pectorals and chest muscles. For this stretch:
• Flatten your back on a 25-inch stability ball.
• Slowly stretch your arms in front of you like you're hugging someone.
• Relax your back and let your arms roll toward the floor to expand your chest.
• You should feel a minor chest pull during the activity.
• Return your arms to the midline after 15–30 seconds of stretching.
• Three to five times.

Stop exercising if your chest or ribs hurt and see a physical therapist. Many adjustments can make exercises more comfortable.

Preventing Costochondritis

Any excellent physical therapy program includes how to prevent future issues. Avoiding costochondritis may involve:

Establishing and sustaining posture

• Practicing weekly stretching and strengthening back and abdominal muscles.
• Doing regular exercise
• If costochondritis symptoms return, your home stretching, breathing, and postural exercise routine may assist.

How Long Is PT?

• Most costochondritis patients attend one to two weekly physical therapy sessions for four to six weeks. 
• The severity of your ailment and any underlying medical disorders will determine your treatment length.
• Consult your doctor if your symptoms last longer than six weeks.
• For costochondral joint irritation, an orthopedic doctor may recommend steroid injections.
• Costochondritis pain normally subsides within weeks, although severe cases can last a year.

Doctors frequently prescribe medicines

Pain relief and inflammation reduction are the main goals of costochondritis treatment, which doctors usually prescribe. Some popular advice:

• Rest and Activity Modification: Avoid pain-inducing activities to recuperate.
• To relieve pain and inflammation, over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen are indicated.
• Physical Therapy: Gentle chest stretching can relieve discomfort.
• Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area can help.
• If other treatments fail, doctors may inject numbing medicine and a corticosteroid into the aching joint.
• Nerve Stimulation: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) sends a small electrical current via adhesive patches on the skin near the pain to block or mask pain signals.
• Consult a doctor to discover the best treatment for your problem.

What are the alternative treatments?

Alternative treatments for costochondritis exist. Some options:

• Hot and Cold Therapy: Hot and cold packs relieve inflammation and pain.
• Herbal Preparations: Anti-inflammatory turmeric can be taken as a supplement or added to food.
• Essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint may relieve pain whether applied physically or via aromatherapy.
• Stress Reduction: Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can reduce stress and symptoms.
• The traditional Chinese medicine technique of acupuncture uses thin needles to treat pain and inflammation.
• Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic adjustments increase joint function and minimize chest pain.
• To make sure a new treatment is safe and right for you, see a doctor first.

Conclusion

• Physical therapy may help with chest pain from costochondritis. The therapist can explain your issue and recommend exercises to enhance mobility and reduce pain.
• Most costochondritis bouts are brief. Learning what to do and when can help you heal quickly and resume your active lifestyle.