Costochondritis Treatment in Sinnamon Park

What is Costochondritis?

Costochondritis is a condition cause by the inflammation of joints between your ribs and sternum (breastbone), usually called chest wall pain. This pain can commonly be mistaken for lung or heart pain, but if the pain stems from costochondritis, there is no need to panic.

The condition can go away on its own, but could last up to or more than several weeks. Primarily, physiotherapy treatment is focused on pain relief and tailored stretching exercises for your needs.

What causes Costochondritis?

There usually isn’t a definite cause to develop costochondritis, however, it can occur from:

It commonly occurs in those over 40, and mostly affects women. It can also present in children, teenagers and adults. Additionally, if you regularly perform repetitive movements that strain your chest wall, you may be prone to developing this condition.

• Injuries or blows to the chest/ribs
• Joint or chest infections
• Physical strain
• Arthritis

Costochondritis Treatment

Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and restoring functionality. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, our physios use a variety of methods, including:

You can also take simple painkillers, like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help the pain.

• Soft tissue mobilisations
• Joint mobilisation
• Stretching exercises
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Cold and hot therapy
• A tailored home exercise program
• Nervous system desensitization