Inflammation in the chest muscle. Costochondritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Chest Inflammation

30.11.202113.07.2023 by alexxlab

What are the main symptoms of costochondritis. How is costochondritis diagnosed. What are the most effective treatments for costochondritis. When should you seek medical attention for chest pain. How long does costochondritis typically last. What causes inflammation in the chest muscles. How can you differentiate costochondritis from a heart attack.

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Understanding Costochondritis: An Overview of Chest Inflammation

Costochondritis is a condition characterized by inflammation in the chest, specifically at the junctions where the upper ribs connect to the breastbone (sternum). This inflammation can cause significant discomfort and pain, often mimicking the symptoms of more serious conditions like heart attacks. While generally harmless and self-resolving, costochondritis can be a source of anxiety for those experiencing its symptoms.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Costochondritis

The primary symptom of costochondritis is chest pain, which can vary in intensity and characteristics. Here are the key symptoms to watch for:

Pain and tenderness at the rib-breastbone junction
Increased pain with movement and deep breathing
Decreased pain with rest and quiet breathing
Sharp, aching, or pressure-like pain
Pain typically on one side of the chest, often the left
Possible radiation of pain to the back, abdomen, arm, or shoulder

How long do costochondritis symptoms typically last? In most cases, symptoms persist for one to three weeks. However, the duration can vary depending on the individual and the underlying cause.

Causes and Risk Factors of Costochondritis

What causes inflammation in the chest muscles leading to costochondritis? While the exact cause is often unknown, several factors can contribute to its development:

Physical injury to the rib cage
Unusual physical strain (e.g., heavy lifting, severe coughing)
Respiratory illnesses like colds or flu
Underlying conditions such as fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus, or ankylosing spondylitis

Who is most at risk for developing costochondritis? The condition affects females more often than males and is more common in adolescents and young adults. However, it can occur in individuals of any age or gender.

Diagnosing Costochondritis: What to Expect

How is costochondritis diagnosed? The diagnosis process typically involves:

Assessing the nature of symptoms
Physical examination to reproduce pain by pressing on the affected area
Ruling out other serious conditions through tests such as:
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Blood tests

It’s important to note that these tests are primarily used to exclude other conditions rather than confirm costochondritis. The diagnosis is often made based on the characteristic symptoms and physical examination findings.

Effective Treatments for Costochondritis

What are the most effective treatments for costochondritis? While the condition often resolves on its own, several treatment options can help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation:

Rest and avoiding activities that exacerbate pain
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
Pain-relieving medications such as paracetamol
Application of ice and/or heat packs to the affected area
Gentle stretching exercises for the upper chest muscles

In severe or prolonged cases, additional treatments may be considered:

Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain
In rare instances, surgery to remove inflamed cartilage

Differentiating Costochondritis from a Heart Attack

How can you differentiate costochondritis from a heart attack? While both conditions can cause chest pain, there are several key differences:

Costochondritis	Heart Attack
Pain typically localized to one area	Pain often spreads across the chest
Pain increases with movement and pressure	Pain may not be affected by movement
Usually no shortness of breath	Often accompanied by shortness of breath
No nausea or sweating	May include nausea and sweating

When should you seek medical attention for chest pain? If you experience sudden onset of chest pain, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, or sweating, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to chest pain.

Living with Costochondritis: Self-Care and Management

While costochondritis can be uncomfortable, there are several strategies to manage the condition and improve quality of life:

Practice good posture to reduce strain on chest muscles
Use a heating pad or ice pack for pain relief
Engage in gentle stretching exercises as recommended by a healthcare professional
Avoid activities that exacerbate pain
Consider stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises

How can you prevent recurrence of costochondritis? While not all cases are preventable, maintaining good overall health, avoiding overexertion, and practicing proper lifting techniques can help reduce the risk of developing costochondritis.

Understanding Chest Muscle Anatomy and Related Conditions

To better comprehend costochondritis, it’s helpful to understand the anatomy of the chest muscles:

Pectoralis major: Fan-shaped muscles extending from the armpits to the sternum
Pectoralis minor: Smaller muscles under the pectoralis major, running along the ribs
Intercostal muscles: Muscles between the ribs forming the chest wall

What other conditions can cause chest muscle pain? Besides costochondritis, several other conditions can lead to chest muscle discomfort:

Muscle strains or pulls
Chest wall injuries
Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining around the lungs)
Fibromyalgia
Thoracic outlet syndrome

Understanding these related conditions can help in differentiating costochondritis from other potential causes of chest pain.

Chest Muscle Strains: A Common Cause of Chest Pain

Chest muscle strains, while different from costochondritis, can also cause significant discomfort. What are the key symptoms of a strained chest muscle?

Sharp pain and tightness in the chest
Difficulty breathing
Pain that worsens with movement
Possible swelling or bruising

How are chest muscle strains treated? Treatment typically involves rest, ice or heat application, over-the-counter pain medications, and gradual return to normal activities as pain subsides.

When to Consult a Healthcare Professional

While costochondritis is generally not serious, certain situations warrant medical attention:

Severe or worsening chest pain
Pain that doesn’t improve with self-care measures
Fever or other signs of infection
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain that interferes with daily activities

What can you expect during a medical consultation for costochondritis? A healthcare provider will likely perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and may order additional tests to rule out other conditions.

The Role of Imaging in Diagnosing Costochondritis

While costochondritis is primarily diagnosed through clinical examination, imaging studies may sometimes be used to exclude other conditions. What types of imaging might be used?

Chest X-ray: To rule out lung or heart problems
CT scan: For a more detailed view of the chest structures
MRI: In rare cases, to evaluate soft tissue inflammation

It’s important to note that these imaging studies are not typically necessary for diagnosing costochondritis itself, but rather to ensure no other underlying conditions are present.

Long-Term Outlook and Prognosis

What is the long-term outlook for individuals with costochondritis? In most cases, the prognosis is excellent. Costochondritis typically resolves on its own within a few weeks to months, with proper self-care and treatment. However, some individuals may experience recurrent episodes.

Can costochondritis become chronic? While less common, some people may develop chronic costochondritis, where symptoms persist for an extended period. In such cases, working closely with a healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive management plan is crucial.

Coping with Chronic Costochondritis

For those dealing with chronic costochondritis, several strategies can help manage the condition:

Regular physical therapy to improve chest flexibility and strength
Cognitive behavioral therapy to manage pain perception
Exploring alternative therapies like acupuncture or massage (under medical supervision)
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and regular exercise
Joining support groups to connect with others experiencing similar challenges

How can you minimize the impact of chronic costochondritis on daily life? Developing a pain management plan with your healthcare provider, pacing activities, and learning stress-reduction techniques can all contribute to improved quality of life.

Research and Future Directions in Costochondritis Treatment

While current treatments for costochondritis are generally effective, ongoing research aims to improve understanding and management of the condition. What are some areas of focus in costochondritis research?

Investigating the underlying mechanisms of inflammation in costochondritis
Exploring new anti-inflammatory treatments with fewer side effects
Developing more accurate diagnostic tools
Studying the relationship between costochondritis and other chronic pain conditions

As research progresses, it’s likely that new treatment options and management strategies will emerge, potentially offering better outcomes for those affected by costochondritis.

The Importance of Patient Education

Understanding costochondritis is crucial for effective management and reducing anxiety associated with the condition. How can patients become more informed about costochondritis?

Asking questions during medical consultations
Seeking information from reputable health websites and organizations
Participating in patient education programs if available
Joining support groups or online forums to learn from others’ experiences

By staying informed and engaged in their care, patients can play an active role in managing costochondritis and improving their overall well-being.

Costochondritis – symptoms, causes and treatment

Costochondritis is a condition that causes pain in the front of the chest. It is the result of inflammation at the point where the upper ribs attach to the breastbone (sternum).

Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition that will usually go away without treatment. However, it can cause anxiety as its symptoms may be mistaken for a heart attack. The sudden onset of chest pain should be assessed immediately by emergency services or a doctor.

Causes

There is often no definitive cause for costochondritis. It can be associated with an injury to the rib cage or with unusual physical activity or strain (eg: heavy lifting or severe coughing). Costochondritis can occur after a respiratory illness such as a cold or flu and in people with underlying conditions including fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis.

Costochondritis affects females more often than males, and more commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of costochondritis are pain and tenderness at the junction of the ribs and the breastbone as a result of cartilage tissue between the bones becoming inflamed. The pain increases with movement and deep breathing and decreases with rest and quiet breathing. Pressure placed directly on the affected area will also cause significant pain.

The pain can vary in intensity but is often severe. It may be described as pressure, aching or sharp pain. 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.

Costochondritis symptoms can be mistaken for a heart attack. However, the pain of a heart attack covers the whole chest and is often accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea and sweating. If the onset of pain is sudden, contact emergency services or a doctor.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of costochondritis can usually be made by assessing the nature of the symptoms and by the fact the pain can be reproduced by pressing on the affected area. Sometimes tests to rule out other more serious conditions may be recommended:

A chest X-ray
An electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a tracing of the heart’s electrical activity
Blood tests.

Treatment

Often the symptoms of costochondritis resolve without treatment. Where treatment is required, the aim is to reduce inflammation and control pain. Treatment usually consists of:

Rest and avoiding activities that worsen the pain
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and pain-relieving medications such as paracetamol
Ice and/or heat packs applied to the area
Gentle stretching of the upper chest (pectoral) muscles two or three times a day.

If the pain is extreme and/or prolonged, a corticosteroid medication such as hydrocortisone may be injected into the affected area to help reduce pain and inflammation. In rare cases, where the condition does not respond to medical treatment, surgery to remove the inflamed cartilage may be required.

References

Flowers, L.K. (2020). Costochondritis (Web page). Medscape Drugs and Diseases. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/808554-overview#a4 [Accessed: 20/08/20]
NHS (2029). Costochondritis (Web Page). Redditch: National Health Service (NHS) England. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/costochondritis/ [Accessed: 20/08/20]
O’Toole, M.T. (Ed) (2017). Costochondritis. Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (10th ed). St Louis, MI: Elsevier.

Last Reviewed: August 2020

Go to our Medical Library Index Page to find information on other medical conditions.

What to Know About Strained Chest Muscles

Sharp pain and tightness in your chest. Difficulty breathing. These are just a few of the symptoms of a potential heart attack, but they can also mirror a pulled chest muscle.

A strained or pulled chest muscle is much less serious than a heart attack, but it can be quite painful.

Read on to learn more about the causes and symptoms of muscle strains in the chest, how they are diagnosed and treated and how the symptoms differ from a heart attack.

The muscles of the chest

Your chest is made up primarily of two muscles, the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor, as well as your intercostal muscles.

The pectoralis major muscles are the fan-shaped muscles that go from your armpits to the center of your breastbone, or sternum.
The pectoralis minor muscles are smaller muscles under the pectoralis major that run along your ribs, just under your collarbone.
The intercostal muscles run between the ribs and form the chest wall.

While it’s possible to strain the pectoralis major or pectoralis minor muscles, nearly half of all chest muscle strains occur in the intercostal muscles.

“Your intercostal muscles are responsible for helping you breathe, so straining them can feel scary, especially if you’re having trouble breathing,” said Sarah Chapman, DPT, an orthopedic clinical specialist at Banner Health in Gilbert, AZ. “Thankfully, usually all these strains are minor.”

What causes a strained chest muscle?

A pulled chest muscle can occur due to overstretching or pressure or strain on the muscles. These can be caused by a number of different situations, but are most commonly seen in athletes.

“Many people pull their chest muscles in contact sports and other athletics that require forceful or repetitive motion, like tennis, golf, gymnastics and rowing,” Chapman said. “Similarly, if your arm is pulled back and overhead quickly or for prolonged periods of time, such as during weightlifting, it can cause a chest strain.”

The other common causes of chest muscle strains include:

Skipping warm-ups before sporting activities
Accident or injury, such as a car accident or fall
Lifting the wrong weight
Lifting while twisting, such as lifting heavy boxes off of shelves or moving furniture
Hard coughing or sneezing during illness, such as bronchitis or a bad cold

What are the symptoms of strained chest muscle?

A strained chest muscle usually causes pain in the chest area that gets worse with movement or coughing.

“You may notice pain or tenderness along the chest, tenderness when touching the injured muscle, pain with arm movements and difficulty moving the arm,” Chapman said. “There may also be bruising, swelling or muscle twitching or spasms.”

As mentioned earlier, this pain may be confused with a heart attack. However, in the case of a heart attack, there are usually other symptoms that will occur.

“With a heart attack, the pain will radiate down your arm and you may also experience nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, sweating, fatigue and an irregular heart rate,” Chapman said.

Call 911 if you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. Do not drive yourself to the emergency room.

How is a muscle strain diagnosed?

Avoid trying to self-diagnose and treat without seeing your health care provider first. Although strains are often minor, it’s important for your provider to evaluate your symptoms and rule out something more serious, such as a broken bone.

If your pain is caused by a pulled muscle, your provider with determine if its acute (due to an injury or trauma) or chronic (due to repetitive use) and will assign a grade based on the severity of the injury.

Grade 1 strains (mild strains) describe mild damage to the chest that affects less than 5% of the muscle fibers.
Grade 2 strains describe a moderate tear to the chest that affects a higher amount of muscle fibers. This may affect mobility and strength, but the muscle isn’t fully ruptured.
Grade 3 strains describe a complete muscle rupture, which may require surgery to reattach the affected tendon to the bone.

What are the best ways to treat a strained chest muscle?

Most of the time, a pulled muscle is a minor injury and with proper care can heal on its own within a few weeks.

In most mild to moderate chest muscle strains, as with all muscle strains, RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) is the best first line of treatment.

Rest: Stop activity, especially those that cause you to pull your chest muscle.
Ice: Apply ice packs or heat to the injured area to help reduce pain.
Compression: If necessary, wrap an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling. It’s important to not make the bandage too tight, as this can cause additional pain.
Elevation: Keep your chest elevated, especially at night. You can use pillows or a wedge to help.

You may also want to consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with inflammation and pain.

As your pain lessens, you may slowly return to previous sports and physical activity.

For chronic muscle strains that don’t improve with rest, your provider may recommend physical therapy or changing your exercise routine to build strength in the surrounding areas.

How can I prevent muscle strains and pulled chest muscles?

It’s important to keep the muscles in your chest stretched and strong in order to avoid injury.

“Remember to properly warm up before performing any sport or exercise, lift heavy objects with care and avoid lifting heavy weight without proper training or practice,” Chapman said. “As well, stretch after exercise to maintain flexibility in your chest.”

Some exercises to try are a pec stretch and a doorway stretch:

To do a pec stretch, stand with your arms at your side and then clasp your hands together behind your back. Slowly push arms up until you feel a stretch in your chest and hold for 10 to 30 seconds.
To do a doorway stretch, stand by an open doorway with your arms at a 90-degree angle and palms flat on the doorframe. Slowly step forward with one foot and lean forward until you feel a stretch in the chest. Hold this for 10 to 30 seconds.

Takeaway

A strained chest muscle can be painful but it’s often a minor condition that, with some rest and proper care, can get better.

Experiencing chest pain?

Call 911 if you have symptoms of a heart attack.

For all other chest pain:

Save your spot for a virtual or in-person urgent care visit.
Schedule an appointment with a primary care provider.

Thoracic myositis – treatment in Moscow

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Myositis of the chest

Myositis of the chest is a pathology of the pectoral muscles, in which pain and tender lumps occur in the chest area. If the disease is not treated in a timely manner, it can give complications in the form of atrophy of muscle tissue, as well as disruption of the organs located in the chest. In some cases, chest myositis occurs without symptoms at all, but most patients still complain of limited mobility at the site of inflammation and pain. Myositis of the chest is a really serious disease that requires immediate treatment.

In our work, we focus on the general improvement of the patient’s body and the launch of self-healing processes. The attending physician provides deep contact with the patient, tracking his changes. Our approach does not involve taking pills and performing operations.

With any procedure, the patient receives not only treatment, but also attention: the doctor helps to cope with nervous tension and gives recommendations for self-help in the future.

The practices we use help to relax muscles that have been in hypertonicity for a long time, to restore joint mobility.

Methods of Tibetan medicine involve a longer, but at the same time the most gentle treatment, the principles of which are not aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but at working with the causes of the disease.

Why does myositis of the pectoral muscles occur?

Inflammatory process in the area of the pectoral muscles can occur due to various diseases and external factors that affect the overall health of a person. The reasons for the appearance of myositis, experts of traditional (Western) medicine include:

Infectious diseases. For example, influenza or SARS. Myositis can be the result of transferred viruses.
Physical activity. Some people suffer from myositis due to improperly structured workouts in the gym, while others daily lift weights at work, which leads to the onset of this disease.
Parasites. Parasitic myositis occurs rarely even if parasites live in the human body, which cause the disease.
Muscle injuries and bruises. It can be mechanical injuries or regular convulsions.
Bacteria can cause one of the most severe forms of myositis. In such cases, a purulent focus appears in the muscle tissue. This is accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition, severe pain, fever, weakness. The infection can also spread to other organs. For example, on the lungs.

Non-traditional (oriental) medicine considers disease as a manifestation of an imbalance in the three channels of the human body. Weakened immunity and diseases of the musculoskeletal system are the results of the disharmony of “Slime” and “Wind”. Thus, Eastern wisdom in interpreting the causes of myositis of the pectoral muscles complements the theory of traditional medicine.

What are the forms of thoracic myositis?

Today, there are two forms of myositis of the pectoral muscles – acute and chronic. The first is usually accompanied by severe pain in the chest area.

In the absence of proper treatment, the acute form flows into the chronic, then the pain dulls. The patient gets used to unpleasant sensations and does not pay attention to them. But at the same time, exacerbations steadily occur against the background of colds, changes in weather, or a long stay in an uncomfortable position.

Myositis can occur on the left side of the chest or on the right. In the first case, it can be confused with heart disease.

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Characteristic symptoms of chest myositis

The following symptoms of intercostal myositis are distinguished:

Pain. They can be exacerbated by changes in the weather, during intense movements, or after a long stay in one position. Over time, the pain may become more pronounced.
Puffiness. Swelling or puffiness is usually characteristic of purulent myositis. In addition, these symptoms may be accompanied by weakness, malaise, and fever. Also, at the site of inflammation, the skin may turn red.
Muscle tension. It slightly limits movement and reduces pain.

Sometimes the pain disappears and does not bother a person for several days, but then returns again, and often with double strength. This is most often due to bruising of the chest, hypothermia, or infections.

After a while, the affected muscles can become weaker, and then completely decrease in size, their atrophy develops.

In order to avoid serious complications, it is necessary to limit your activity during treatment. It is not recommended to drive for a long time, play sports, including light exercises and morning runs, it is forbidden to lift weights, engage in outdoor games. It is necessary to lead a sedentary lifestyle for the period of treatment. Also, recovery will slow down the abuse of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Such habits contribute to metabolic disorders, prolonged narrowing of blood vessels, and as a result, the disease will progress.

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Before prescribing treatment for intercostal myositis, it is necessary to correctly diagnose it. Myositis of the muscles of the chest is often confused with other diseases. And in case of incorrect diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe incorrect treatment, which will lead to serious complications. Often, for the diagnosis, doctors prescribe patients to undergo an MRI, ultrasound, and take a blood test.

The doctors of the Sagan Dali clinic take into account the results of traditional diagnostics, if any. But the priority for us is the data obtained with pulse and computer (according to the Nakatani method) diagnostics. They qualitatively complement the Eastern interpretations of diseases and give a picture of the development of the disease, reinforcing the visual examination and questioning of the patient.

The “Healthy Spine” program usually consists of nine sessions and includes a set of procedures aimed at starting the body’s self-healing process and awakening active points: vacuum therapy, hirudotherapy, massage techniques, herbal medicine, the use of medical patches. The use of this or that technique in the program is initially determined by the doctor based on the patient’s condition and the picture of his illness.