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.