What is Costochondritis & How to Deal with it
- Vigorous exercise
- A chest cold or other respiratory infection
- A fall or other injury to the chest
- Lifting heavy objects
- Poor posture
- Stress
The symptoms of costochondritis can vary from person to person, but they typically include:
- Sharp, stabbing pain in the chest
- Pain that gets worse with movement, deep breathing, or coughing
- Pain that is worse on the left side of the chest
- Tenderness to the touch in the area between the ribs and the breastbone
- Swelling in the area between the ribs and the breastbone
- Fever
- Chills
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out other conditions, such as a heart attack or pneumonia.
There is no specific treatment for costochondritis, but there are things you can do to ease the pain and discomfort, such as:
- Rest: Avoid activities that make the pain worse.
- Ice or heat: Apply a cold compress or heating pad to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time several times a day.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to help strengthen the muscles in your chest and back.
- Injections: In some cases, your doctor may inject a numbing medication or steroid into the affected area.
Costochondritis usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. If the pain is severe or doesn’t improve after a few weeks, you may need to see a doctor for further treatment.
Here are some things you can do to help prevent costochondritis:
- Warm up before exercising.
- Stretch after exercising.
- Lift weights with proper form.
- Avoid activities that put stress on your chest, such as heavy lifting or contact sports.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Get enough sleep.
- Manage stress.
If you have any questions or concerns about costochondritis, be sure to talk to your doctor.