How do I know if my chest pain is muscular?

Classic symptoms of strain in the chest muscle include:

pain, which may be sharp (an acute pull) or dull (a chronic strain)
swelling.
muscle spasms.
difficulty moving the affected area.
pain while breathing.
bruising.

How do you fix costochondritis?

They include:

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pain relievers. Ask your doctor about using ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).
Heat or ice. Try placing hot compresses or a heating pad on the painful area several times a day.
Rest.

Can you have costochondritis for years?

Pain from this condition can last for a long time because, as a person begins to feel better, he or she may forget to protect the joint and reinjure it. But it’s extremely rare for the pain to last for years.

Will my costochondritis ever go away?

In many cases, costochondritis goes away on its own. Mild cases of costochondritis may disappear after a few days. Chronic cases can last for weeks or more, but most cases don’t last any longer than a year.

Does caffeine affect costochondritis?

Other things that hurt are lifting, pushing, pulling, sneezing, coughing, long hours of driving or using the computer, repetitive motions and caffeine. Cold, rainy and humid weather also make the discomfort worse.

Why is costochondritis so painful?

The ribs are connected to the breastbone by tough, protective tissue called cartilage. When this cartilage becomes inflamed, the condition is known as costochondritis or chest wall pain. While this condition is usually temporary, it can be alarming, as the pain can become so significant it mimics a heart attack.

Does costochondritis get worse at night?

The pain from costochondritis may be most noticeable when an individual is lying in bed at night. It is important to find a suitable lying position in order to reduce the degree of discomfort. It may be useful to use local heat as much as possible providing this does not aggravate the condition.

What should you not do with costochondritis?

Rest: You may need to rest and avoid painful movements and activities. Do not carry objects, such as a purse or backpack, if this causes pain. Avoid activities such as weightlifting until your pain decreases or goes away. Ask your healthcare provider which activities are best for you to do while you recover.

Can costochondritis be caused by stress?

The inflammation may have been brought on by a blow to the chest, lifting heavy objects, intense exercise, or an illness that made you cough and sneeze a lot. It often occurs during times of emotional stress. It can be painful, but it’s not dangerous.

Does massage help costochondritis?

Light massage may also work and Dr. Caulfield or Dr. Sandhu can show you how to do this at home for continuing self-care. With regular chiropractic treatments and diligent self-care at home, patients can lessen the occurrences of costochondritis and greatly reduce or eliminate the pain.

Can costochondritis spread?

Costal chondritis or costochondritis is a common condition characterized by inflammation of the cartilage part of the rib. It may affect one or more rib (costal) cartilages. It is characterized by pain of the chest wall that may spread (radiate) to surrounding areas.

Does costochondritis pain radiate to the back?

It is usually located on the front of the chest, but can radiate to the back, abdomen, arm or shoulder. The pain usually occurs on only one side of the chest, most commonly the left, but can affect both sides of the chest at the same time. Symptoms of costochondritis usually last for between one and three weeks.

Does costochondritis hurt in the back?

Costochondritis pain usually will be sharp and located on the front chest wall. It may radiate from the chest area to the back or abdomen to cause back pain or belly pain. The most common sites of pain are the fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs.

Does costochondritis affect swallowing?

A feeling of having a ‘thumping heart’ (palpitations). Dizziness. Difficulty swallowing. Started to get heartburn or indigestion.

Is costochondritis related to acid reflux?

5. Pleuritis or costochondritis. Inflammation causes heartburn-like chest pain in these two conditions. Pleuritis is caused by an infection that inflames the lining of the lungs and the chest wall.