What is non-cardiac chest pain? What causes it? How is it diagnosed and treated? Get the answers to these questions and more in this in-depth article.

Understanding Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Non-cardiac chest pain is a term used to describe chest pain that is not caused by a heart-related condition. This type of pain can often mimic the symptoms of angina, which is the chest pain associated with heart disease. However, in the case of non-cardiac chest pain, the underlying cause is typically related to issues with the esophagus or other non-cardiac factors.

Symptoms and Causes of Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Non-cardiac chest pain is often described as a pressure or squeezing sensation behind the breastbone. The pain may also spread to the neck, left arm, or back, and can last for a few minutes or several hours. The most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which accounts for 22 to 66 percent of cases.

Other less common causes of non-cardiac chest pain include esophageal motility disorders, such as esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus, and achalasia, as well as visceral or esophageal hypersensitivity. Additionally, some non-cardiac chest pain may be caused by muscle or bone problems in the chest, lung conditions, stomach problems, or even stress, anxiety, or depression.

Diagnosing Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

When a person experiences unexplained chest pain, they should seek immediate medical attention, as it is crucial to rule out any heart-related issues. The emergency room doctor will perform a physical exam, order an electrocardiogram, and conduct blood tests to determine if the pain is cardiac in nature.

If the tests show that the heart is functioning normally, and the pain is not a heart attack, the doctor will then refer the patient to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive system disorders, for further evaluation and treatment.

Treating Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

The treatment for non-cardiac chest pain depends on the underlying cause. For GERD-related chest pain, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most common treatment. For esophageal motility disorders, medications or even surgery may be necessary to address the muscle or nerve problems.

In cases where the cause is not clearly identified, the doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress or adjusting dietary habits, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers or antacids to provide relief.

The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention

While non-cardiac chest pain is often not life-threatening, it is crucial to seek medical attention whenever experiencing unexplained chest pain. Properly diagnosing and treating the underlying cause can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.

What are the potential long-term consequences of untreated non-cardiac chest pain? Leaving non-cardiac chest pain untreated can lead to a worsening of the underlying condition, such as a progression of GERD or esophageal motility disorders, which can increase the risk of complications and negatively impact overall health and quality of life.

Preventing and Managing Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

While some risk factors for non-cardiac chest pain are not entirely avoidable, there are steps individuals can take to reduce their risk and manage the condition. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and seeking prompt medical attention when experiencing chest pain can all help in preventing and managing non-cardiac chest pain.

What dietary changes can help reduce the risk of non-cardiac chest pain caused by GERD? Avoiding trigger foods, such as spicy, fried, or acidic items, can help minimize the symptoms of GERD and the associated non-cardiac chest pain. Additionally, eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding lying down after eating can also be beneficial.

In conclusion, non-cardiac chest pain is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of non-heart-related factors. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and appropriate treatment approaches is crucial for effectively managing this condition and improving overall health and well-being.

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Overview

What is non-cardiac chest pain?

Non-cardiac chest pain is the term that is used to describe pain in the chest that is not caused by heart disease or a heart attack.

What does non-cardiac chest pain feel like?

Non-cardiac chest pain is often described as feeling like angina, the chest pain caused by heart disease. The patient feels a pressure or squeezing pain behind the breast bone. Some people also report the pain spreads to the neck, left arm, or back. The pain can last for a few minutes or for hours.

Who gets non-cardiac chest pain?

An episode of non-cardiac chest pain has occurred in as many as 25 percent of adults in the United States. No risk factors have been identified that make a person more likely to get non-cardiac chest pain.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes non-cardiac chest pain?

In most people, non-cardiac chest is related to a problem with the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. There are several different esophagus problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain. Also called acid reflux, this condition causes 22 to 66 percent of non-cardiac chest pain.

Other, less common esophagus problems that can cause chest pain include:

• Muscle problems, also called esophageal motility disorders. In people with these problems, abnormal muscle activity in the esophagus prevents food from moving through the esophagus normally. Esophagus muscle problems include uncoordinated muscle contractions (esophageal spasm), high-pressure contractions or squeezing of the esophagus (nutcracker esophagus), and missing contractions caused by nerve loss (achalasia).
• Visceral or esophageal hypersensitivity. People with this condition have a lot of pain when there is a very small pressure change in the esophagus or a small amount of stomach acid comes up into the esophagus. People with a normal esophagus would not feel anything from the pressure change or the presence of acid. The reason why some people have this extra sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to pressure or acid is not known.

What other problems can cause non-cardiac chest pain?

Some less-common problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain include:

• Muscle or bone problems in the chest, chest wall, or spine (back)
• Lung conditions or diseases, including diseases of the pleura, the tissue that covers the lungs
• Stomach problems, such as ulcers
• Stress, anxiety, or depression

Do people with non-cardiac chest pain have other symptoms?

Patients with non-cardiac chest pain also may have heartburn or a bitter taste in the mouth due to stomach fluid “coming up.” In some patients, non-cardiac chest pain occurs after eating. For some patients, non-cardiac chest pain is associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is non-cardiac chest pain diagnosed?

The person having chest pain cannot know whether it is heart related or is non-cardiac chest pain. A person having unexplained chest pain should go to the emergency room.

The emergency room doctor first will give the patient a complete physical exam that includes temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Next the doctor will test the patient for heart disease or heart attack. These tests include an electrocardiogram (a noninvasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity) and blood tests. The heart releases certain proteins when a heart attack occurs that will show up in a blood test.

If these tests show that the heart is fine and the pain is not from a heart attack, the pain is called non-cardiac chest pain.

Management and Treatment

What kind of doctor treats non-cardiac chest pain?

The first time a person has non-cardiac chest pain, he or she usually goes to the emergency room, thinking he or she is having a heart attack. The first thing the emergency room doctor will do is make sure the pain is not a heart attack or due to heart disease.

If it truly is non-cardiac chest pain, the emergency room doctor usually refers the patient to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive system disorders, for more testing and treatment.

Some people who have had several episodes of non-cardiac chest pain go to their primary care physician or a heart doctor (cardiologist) instead of the emergency room. The doctor will follow the same steps to make sure the pain is not heart-related, then refer the person to a gastroenterologist.

How is non-cardiac chest pain treated?

Although non-cardiac chest pain can be a scary event because it feels like heart pain, it usually can be treated successfully once the doctor identifies the cause of the pain. With the right treatment, the symptoms go away for most patients.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are the most common treatment for non-cardiac chest pain caused by GERD. Several different PPIs are available. Treatment usually begins with a high dose of a PPI. After GERD symptoms lessen, the dose of the PPI is reduced to the lowest amount that control symptoms. Two or more months of drug treatment may be needed to control symptoms.

What treatments are available for non-cardiac chest pain that is not caused by GERD?

The most common and effective treatment for other health problems that cause non-cardiac chest pain is a medicine that blocks the pain signals. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), used in a low dose, are the most commonly used medicines. A low dose of other types of anti-depression medicine can be used if the patient has side effects from the TCAs.

When non-cardiac chest pain is caused by a muscle problem, simple treatments, such as a heating pad, stretching exercises, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, can relieve the pain.

Non-cardiac chest pain can be due to stress, anxiety, or depression. A psychologist can help patients with these problems work through them so they do not cause chest pain. Talk therapy that teaches the patient how to change or eliminate thought patterns that cause stress can reduce the frequency of chest pain episodes.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis (long-term outlook) for people with non-cardiac chest pain?

Most non-cardiac chest pain is caused by GERD. People who follow their doctor’s instructions for managing GERD usually do not have further problems with non-cardiac chest pain.

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Overview

What is non-cardiac chest pain?

Non-cardiac chest pain is the term that is used to describe pain in the chest that is not caused by heart disease or a heart attack.

What does non-cardiac chest pain feel like?

Non-cardiac chest pain is often described as feeling like angina, the chest pain caused by heart disease. The patient feels a pressure or squeezing pain behind the breast bone. Some people also report the pain spreads to the neck, left arm, or back. The pain can last for a few minutes or for hours.

Who gets non-cardiac chest pain?

An episode of non-cardiac chest pain has occurred in as many as 25 percent of adults in the United States. No risk factors have been identified that make a person more likely to get non-cardiac chest pain.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes non-cardiac chest pain?

In most people, non-cardiac chest is related to a problem with the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. There are several different esophagus problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain. Also called acid reflux, this condition causes 22 to 66 percent of non-cardiac chest pain.

Other, less common esophagus problems that can cause chest pain include:

• Muscle problems, also called esophageal motility disorders. In people with these problems, abnormal muscle activity in the esophagus prevents food from moving through the esophagus normally. Esophagus muscle problems include uncoordinated muscle contractions (esophageal spasm), high-pressure contractions or squeezing of the esophagus (nutcracker esophagus), and missing contractions caused by nerve loss (achalasia).
• Visceral or esophageal hypersensitivity. People with this condition have a lot of pain when there is a very small pressure change in the esophagus or a small amount of stomach acid comes up into the esophagus. People with a normal esophagus would not feel anything from the pressure change or the presence of acid. The reason why some people have this extra sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to pressure or acid is not known.

What other problems can cause non-cardiac chest pain?

Some less-common problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain include:

• Muscle or bone problems in the chest, chest wall, or spine (back)
• Lung conditions or diseases, including diseases of the pleura, the tissue that covers the lungs
• Stomach problems, such as ulcers
• Stress, anxiety, or depression

Do people with non-cardiac chest pain have other symptoms?

Patients with non-cardiac chest pain also may have heartburn or a bitter taste in the mouth due to stomach fluid “coming up. ” In some patients, non-cardiac chest pain occurs after eating. For some patients, non-cardiac chest pain is associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is non-cardiac chest pain diagnosed?

The person having chest pain cannot know whether it is heart related or is non-cardiac chest pain. A person having unexplained chest pain should go to the emergency room.

The emergency room doctor first will give the patient a complete physical exam that includes temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Next the doctor will test the patient for heart disease or heart attack. These tests include an electrocardiogram (a noninvasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity) and blood tests. The heart releases certain proteins when a heart attack occurs that will show up in a blood test.

If these tests show that the heart is fine and the pain is not from a heart attack, the pain is called non-cardiac chest pain.

Management and Treatment

What kind of doctor treats non-cardiac chest pain?

The first time a person has non-cardiac chest pain, he or she usually goes to the emergency room, thinking he or she is having a heart attack. The first thing the emergency room doctor will do is make sure the pain is not a heart attack or due to heart disease.

If it truly is non-cardiac chest pain, the emergency room doctor usually refers the patient to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive system disorders, for more testing and treatment.

Some people who have had several episodes of non-cardiac chest pain go to their primary care physician or a heart doctor (cardiologist) instead of the emergency room. The doctor will follow the same steps to make sure the pain is not heart-related, then refer the person to a gastroenterologist.

How is non-cardiac chest pain treated?

Although non-cardiac chest pain can be a scary event because it feels like heart pain, it usually can be treated successfully once the doctor identifies the cause of the pain. With the right treatment, the symptoms go away for most patients.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are the most common treatment for non-cardiac chest pain caused by GERD. Several different PPIs are available. Treatment usually begins with a high dose of a PPI. After GERD symptoms lessen, the dose of the PPI is reduced to the lowest amount that control symptoms. Two or more months of drug treatment may be needed to control symptoms.

What treatments are available for non-cardiac chest pain that is not caused by GERD?

The most common and effective treatment for other health problems that cause non-cardiac chest pain is a medicine that blocks the pain signals. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), used in a low dose, are the most commonly used medicines. A low dose of other types of anti-depression medicine can be used if the patient has side effects from the TCAs.

When non-cardiac chest pain is caused by a muscle problem, simple treatments, such as a heating pad, stretching exercises, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, can relieve the pain.

Non-cardiac chest pain can be due to stress, anxiety, or depression. A psychologist can help patients with these problems work through them so they do not cause chest pain. Talk therapy that teaches the patient how to change or eliminate thought patterns that cause stress can reduce the frequency of chest pain episodes.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis (long-term outlook) for people with non-cardiac chest pain?

Most non-cardiac chest pain is caused by GERD. People who follow their doctor’s instructions for managing GERD usually do not have further problems with non-cardiac chest pain.

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Overview

What is non-cardiac chest pain?

Non-cardiac chest pain is the term that is used to describe pain in the chest that is not caused by heart disease or a heart attack.

What does non-cardiac chest pain feel like?

Non-cardiac chest pain is often described as feeling like angina, the chest pain caused by heart disease. The patient feels a pressure or squeezing pain behind the breast bone. Some people also report the pain spreads to the neck, left arm, or back. The pain can last for a few minutes or for hours.

Who gets non-cardiac chest pain?

An episode of non-cardiac chest pain has occurred in as many as 25 percent of adults in the United States. No risk factors have been identified that make a person more likely to get non-cardiac chest pain.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes non-cardiac chest pain?

In most people, non-cardiac chest is related to a problem with the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. There are several different esophagus problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain. Also called acid reflux, this condition causes 22 to 66 percent of non-cardiac chest pain.

Other, less common esophagus problems that can cause chest pain include:

• Muscle problems, also called esophageal motility disorders. In people with these problems, abnormal muscle activity in the esophagus prevents food from moving through the esophagus normally. Esophagus muscle problems include uncoordinated muscle contractions (esophageal spasm), high-pressure contractions or squeezing of the esophagus (nutcracker esophagus), and missing contractions caused by nerve loss (achalasia).
• Visceral or esophageal hypersensitivity. People with this condition have a lot of pain when there is a very small pressure change in the esophagus or a small amount of stomach acid comes up into the esophagus. People with a normal esophagus would not feel anything from the pressure change or the presence of acid. The reason why some people have this extra sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to pressure or acid is not known.

What other problems can cause non-cardiac chest pain?

Some less-common problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain include:

• Muscle or bone problems in the chest, chest wall, or spine (back)
• Lung conditions or diseases, including diseases of the pleura, the tissue that covers the lungs
• Stomach problems, such as ulcers
• Stress, anxiety, or depression

Do people with non-cardiac chest pain have other symptoms?

Patients with non-cardiac chest pain also may have heartburn or a bitter taste in the mouth due to stomach fluid “coming up. ” In some patients, non-cardiac chest pain occurs after eating. For some patients, non-cardiac chest pain is associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is non-cardiac chest pain diagnosed?

The person having chest pain cannot know whether it is heart related or is non-cardiac chest pain. A person having unexplained chest pain should go to the emergency room.

The emergency room doctor first will give the patient a complete physical exam that includes temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Next the doctor will test the patient for heart disease or heart attack. These tests include an electrocardiogram (a noninvasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity) and blood tests. The heart releases certain proteins when a heart attack occurs that will show up in a blood test.

If these tests show that the heart is fine and the pain is not from a heart attack, the pain is called non-cardiac chest pain.

Management and Treatment

What kind of doctor treats non-cardiac chest pain?

The first time a person has non-cardiac chest pain, he or she usually goes to the emergency room, thinking he or she is having a heart attack. The first thing the emergency room doctor will do is make sure the pain is not a heart attack or due to heart disease.

If it truly is non-cardiac chest pain, the emergency room doctor usually refers the patient to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive system disorders, for more testing and treatment.

Some people who have had several episodes of non-cardiac chest pain go to their primary care physician or a heart doctor (cardiologist) instead of the emergency room. The doctor will follow the same steps to make sure the pain is not heart-related, then refer the person to a gastroenterologist.

How is non-cardiac chest pain treated?

Although non-cardiac chest pain can be a scary event because it feels like heart pain, it usually can be treated successfully once the doctor identifies the cause of the pain. With the right treatment, the symptoms go away for most patients.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are the most common treatment for non-cardiac chest pain caused by GERD. Several different PPIs are available. Treatment usually begins with a high dose of a PPI. After GERD symptoms lessen, the dose of the PPI is reduced to the lowest amount that control symptoms. Two or more months of drug treatment may be needed to control symptoms.

What treatments are available for non-cardiac chest pain that is not caused by GERD?

The most common and effective treatment for other health problems that cause non-cardiac chest pain is a medicine that blocks the pain signals. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), used in a low dose, are the most commonly used medicines. A low dose of other types of anti-depression medicine can be used if the patient has side effects from the TCAs.

When non-cardiac chest pain is caused by a muscle problem, simple treatments, such as a heating pad, stretching exercises, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, can relieve the pain.

Non-cardiac chest pain can be due to stress, anxiety, or depression. A psychologist can help patients with these problems work through them so they do not cause chest pain. Talk therapy that teaches the patient how to change or eliminate thought patterns that cause stress can reduce the frequency of chest pain episodes.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis (long-term outlook) for people with non-cardiac chest pain?

Most non-cardiac chest pain is caused by GERD. People who follow their doctor’s instructions for managing GERD usually do not have further problems with non-cardiac chest pain.

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Overview

What is non-cardiac chest pain?

Non-cardiac chest pain is the term that is used to describe pain in the chest that is not caused by heart disease or a heart attack.

What does non-cardiac chest pain feel like?

Non-cardiac chest pain is often described as feeling like angina, the chest pain caused by heart disease. The patient feels a pressure or squeezing pain behind the breast bone. Some people also report the pain spreads to the neck, left arm, or back. The pain can last for a few minutes or for hours.

Who gets non-cardiac chest pain?

An episode of non-cardiac chest pain has occurred in as many as 25 percent of adults in the United States. No risk factors have been identified that make a person more likely to get non-cardiac chest pain.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes non-cardiac chest pain?

In most people, non-cardiac chest is related to a problem with the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach. There are several different esophagus problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain. Also called acid reflux, this condition causes 22 to 66 percent of non-cardiac chest pain.

Other, less common esophagus problems that can cause chest pain include:

• Muscle problems, also called esophageal motility disorders. In people with these problems, abnormal muscle activity in the esophagus prevents food from moving through the esophagus normally. Esophagus muscle problems include uncoordinated muscle contractions (esophageal spasm), high-pressure contractions or squeezing of the esophagus (nutcracker esophagus), and missing contractions caused by nerve loss (achalasia).
• Visceral or esophageal hypersensitivity. People with this condition have a lot of pain when there is a very small pressure change in the esophagus or a small amount of stomach acid comes up into the esophagus. People with a normal esophagus would not feel anything from the pressure change or the presence of acid. The reason why some people have this extra sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to pressure or acid is not known.

What other problems can cause non-cardiac chest pain?

Some less-common problems that can cause non-cardiac chest pain include:

• Muscle or bone problems in the chest, chest wall, or spine (back)
• Lung conditions or diseases, including diseases of the pleura, the tissue that covers the lungs
• Stomach problems, such as ulcers
• Stress, anxiety, or depression

Do people with non-cardiac chest pain have other symptoms?

Patients with non-cardiac chest pain also may have heartburn or a bitter taste in the mouth due to stomach fluid “coming up. ” In some patients, non-cardiac chest pain occurs after eating. For some patients, non-cardiac chest pain is associated with stress, anxiety, or depression.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is non-cardiac chest pain diagnosed?

The person having chest pain cannot know whether it is heart related or is non-cardiac chest pain. A person having unexplained chest pain should go to the emergency room.

The emergency room doctor first will give the patient a complete physical exam that includes temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Next the doctor will test the patient for heart disease or heart attack. These tests include an electrocardiogram (a noninvasive test that records the heart’s electrical activity) and blood tests. The heart releases certain proteins when a heart attack occurs that will show up in a blood test.

If these tests show that the heart is fine and the pain is not from a heart attack, the pain is called non-cardiac chest pain.

Management and Treatment

What kind of doctor treats non-cardiac chest pain?

The first time a person has non-cardiac chest pain, he or she usually goes to the emergency room, thinking he or she is having a heart attack. The first thing the emergency room doctor will do is make sure the pain is not a heart attack or due to heart disease.

If it truly is non-cardiac chest pain, the emergency room doctor usually refers the patient to a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in digestive system disorders, for more testing and treatment.

Some people who have had several episodes of non-cardiac chest pain go to their primary care physician or a heart doctor (cardiologist) instead of the emergency room. The doctor will follow the same steps to make sure the pain is not heart-related, then refer the person to a gastroenterologist.

How is non-cardiac chest pain treated?

Although non-cardiac chest pain can be a scary event because it feels like heart pain, it usually can be treated successfully once the doctor identifies the cause of the pain. With the right treatment, the symptoms go away for most patients.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are the most common treatment for non-cardiac chest pain caused by GERD. Several different PPIs are available. Treatment usually begins with a high dose of a PPI. After GERD symptoms lessen, the dose of the PPI is reduced to the lowest amount that control symptoms. Two or more months of drug treatment may be needed to control symptoms.

What treatments are available for non-cardiac chest pain that is not caused by GERD?

The most common and effective treatment for other health problems that cause non-cardiac chest pain is a medicine that blocks the pain signals. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), used in a low dose, are the most commonly used medicines. A low dose of other types of anti-depression medicine can be used if the patient has side effects from the TCAs.

When non-cardiac chest pain is caused by a muscle problem, simple treatments, such as a heating pad, stretching exercises, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, can relieve the pain.

Non-cardiac chest pain can be due to stress, anxiety, or depression. A psychologist can help patients with these problems work through them so they do not cause chest pain. Talk therapy that teaches the patient how to change or eliminate thought patterns that cause stress can reduce the frequency of chest pain episodes.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis (long-term outlook) for people with non-cardiac chest pain?

Most non-cardiac chest pain is caused by GERD. People who follow their doctor’s instructions for managing GERD usually do not have further problems with non-cardiac chest pain.

Acid Reflux, GERD or Angina: What’s the Difference?

11/7/2017

Tennova Healthcare offers tips for better digestive health

It’s your birthday, and you just finished celebrating with a big meal and cup of coffee. What comes next is something that was definitely not on the menu—the worst case of heartburn you’ve ever experienced. But wait… could that pain be something more serious?

November 20–26 is GERD Awareness Week, and Tennova Healthcare is taking the opportunity to educate the community on the overlapping symptoms of acid reflux, GERD and angina, and steps you should take to address chest discomfort.

“One of the more difficult tasks confronting healthcare providers is distinguishing among the various possible causes of chest pain,” said Michael R. Ellis, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Tennova Healthcare. “Nearly 20 percent of patients who see their primary care physician for chest discomfort have gastrointestinal problems. But, there are even distinctions between the possible GI-related causes. Heartburn, GERD and acid reflux are similar, but not necessarily the same conditions.”

Acid reflux refers to the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat and stomach). During an episode of acid reflux, you may taste regurgitated food or sour liquid at the back of your mouth, or feel a burning sensation in your chest.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux. The most common symptom of GERD is frequent heartburn. Other signs and symptoms may include regurgitation of sour food or liquid, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain, especially when lying down at night.

Occasional heartburn or reflux can be treated with over-the-counter antacids or medications, such as h3-receptor blockers (like Pepcid AC) or proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec). But, if the condition becomes chronic, or you suspect you may have GERD, talk to your doctor about some of the minimally invasive procedures that can provide relief.

Angina can be a signal of a more dangerous heart condition. Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs if an area of your heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. It may even feel like indigestion. Angina pain also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back.

“Sometimes it’s difficult even for physicians to tell the difference between the symptoms of angina, heartburn or heart attack,” Dr. Ellis said. “There’s no one symptom that can reliably distinguish one condition from the other, so if in doubt, have it checked out.”

While there is overlap in the various symptoms, there are some indicators both common and unique to GERD and angina. If your chest pain is centered beneath your breastbone, gets worse with exertion, improves with rest or radiates to both arms, it is more likely to be angina. Chest pain that gets worse when lying down or bending over is more likely to be caused by GERD. There are also certain diagnostics and physical findings that may point to one condition or the other.

“If the patient’s blood pressure is abnormally low, has profuse sweating, has excess fluid in the lungs or abnormal heart sounds, we are more likely to suspect angina,” Dr. Ellis said. “If the pain is aggravated by applying pressure to the pit of the stomach, or it’s relieved by antacids, the diagnosis is more likely GERD.”

If you find yourself suffering from GERD, or just occasional heartburn, here are some simple diet and lifestyle changes you can make, which will often address the problem without medication or treatment:

• Defy gravity. Don’t lie down within three hours of eating. That is when acid production is at its peak. Plan early suppers, and avoid bedtime snacking.
• Eat small meals (especially late in the day). Make your main meal of the day the midday meal.
• Experiment with trigger foods. Foods that cause reflux differ from person to person. Start by removing fatty foods, onions and chocolate. Coffee, colas, tomatoes and citrus juices may also irritate the esophagus or stimulate excess stomach acid production. Try removing one or two foods at a time until you find what works best for you. Peppermint may relax the circular muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter), and allow stomach acid to migrate into the esophagus.
• Watch your weight. Losing even a modest amount of weight can reduce the intensity or frequency of symptoms. Excess weight gain and abdominal pressure during pregnancy are a common cause of reflux. Once the weight is lost after childbirth, the condition typically goes away.
• Reduce your stress levels. Stress makes reflux worse. Practicing yoga or meditation is an excellent non-medical treatment for occasional or modest reflux.

“You don’t have to live with heartburn or gastric discomfort,” Dr. Ellis said. “These conditions are more common than you may think, and a physician can help you discover both the cause and the solution.”

The bottom line is, unless you have significant risk factors for—or an existing diagnosis of—heart disease, the most likely culprit for your pain after that big celebration meal is heartburn. But if the pain is unfamiliar, and the cause is uncertain, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information or to find a doctor who specializes in gastrointestinal health, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).

About Tennova Healthcare
One of the state’s largest health networks, Tennova Healthcare includes 16 hospitals and more than 115 physician clinics. The combined network has approximately 2,600 licensed beds, 2,800 physicians on the combined active medical staffs, and 9,000 employees, with more than 70,000 admissions and 465,000 emergency department visits each year.

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Heartburn (Acid Reflux) Symptoms – Burning, Pain, Difficulty Swallowing, and Cough

Common Symptoms of Heartburn

If you’ve got a burning feeling in your chest just behind your breastbone that starts after you eat, it might be heartburn. The symptoms could last from a few minutes to several hours.

Heartburn begins when stomach acid splashes up into your esophagus, a tube that connects the back of your throat and stomach. Besides the burning feeling in your chest, you may also get:

• Chest pain, especially after you bend over, lie down, or eat
• Burning at the back of your throat
• Fluid at the back of your throat that tastes hot, sour, acidic, or salty
• Long-term cough, sore throat, or hoarseness

Telling your doctor about these symptoms is usually all they need to make a diagnosis of heartburn. But they may ask you to take special tests to find out how severe the problem is or to keep an eye on your treatment.

Heartburn vs. Heart Attack Symptoms

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons to go to the emergency room. While many of these people are having angina or a heart attack, some folks may have severe heartburn.

Often, the pain from angina, a heart attack, or a severe heartburn episode are so hard to tell apart that doctors need sophisticated tests to figure out what’s going on.

To complicate things even more, angina/heart disease and heartburn share risk factors of being older or overweight.

Signs more typical of heartburn include:

• You have a sharp, burning feeling just below your breastbone or ribs.The chest pain can be accompanied by an acidic taste in your mouth, regurgitation of food, or a burning in your throat.
• Pain generally doesn’t spread to your shoulders, neck, or arms, but it can.
• Pain usually comes after meals, particularly after foods or drinks that trigger reflux in you.
• Pain also comes when you lie down or exercise on a full stomach.
• Symptoms usually get better quickly after taking an antacid.
• You rarely get a cold sweat or shortness of breath along with your other symptoms.

Emergency Symptoms

If you have pain in your chest that’s not going away and you’re not sure whether it’s heartburn or a heart attack, call 911.

But don’t forget, the symptoms of heart attack and heartburn can sometimes go away after a while. So always call your doctor if you had pain in your chest and you’re not sure why — even if it stopped.

Also, call 911 if you have symptoms that are more typical of a heart attack or angina (severe chest pain from heart problems), such as:

• Feeling of fullness, tightness, or dull pressure or pain generally in the center of your chest
• Feeling like a belt is being tightened around your chest
• Pain that comes on with exercise, and is relieved by rest
• Sudden chest pain or pressure that gets worse
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Pain that spreads to your shoulders, neck, jaw, or arms
• Pain that gets better quickly after taking nitroglycerin
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat along with other symptoms

If you have any pain that lasts for more than a few minutes or any warning signs of a heart attack, get medical help right away. Also get emergency help if you’re confused at all about whether your symptoms are from a heartburn or a heart attack.

Can Pain Between Shoulder Blades Be Caused By Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a fairly common condition in the United States, with over 15 million Americans experiencing heartburn each day. While acid reflux has a variety of symptoms, it rarely progresses to anything an antacid can’t fix. But for serious cases of acid reflux, it can manifest in some extremely painful and difficult to manage symptoms, most of which aren’t typical of your usual episode of heartburn.

So can acid reflux cause symptoms like acute pain between your shoulder blades? It can, but it usually means it’s progressed beyond simple heartburn and into Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. While it can require more treatment than acid reflux, the chest and back pain it causes can be managed.

How Acid Reflux, GERD, And Chest Pain Are Related

While most people use acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD interchangeably, they have specific definitions. Here is a quick definition of terms:

• Acid reflux: a reaction that occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus relaxes uncontrollably, which makes stomach acid leak into your esophagus.
• GERD: A chronic, severe form of acid reflux.
• Heartburn: a burning pain usually felt in the chest area, a symptom of both acid reflux and GERD.

Aside from heartburn, GERD and acid reflux share many similar symptoms like nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, increased abdominal pain, neck pain, and an acidic sensation in the throat and mouth.

Acid reflux will usually progress to GERD given enough time and/or lack of treatment. Because of the intensity of heartburn associated with GERD, pain may radiate from the referred area of the esophagus to your lower back.

Typically, this back pain is triggered by GERD itself, but there are other symptoms like shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing or speaking, or swelling and inflammation that can also manifest. Patients may also experience vomiting or experiencing a feeling of regurgitating food. Even if heartburn itself isn’t that severe, repeated, and consistent long-term heartburns may develop into chronic pain in the chest and back area.

Here are three acid reflux and GERD related triggers for back pain:

1. Diet

Food intake is one of the most significant triggers for back pain involving GERD, but most patients will often think that this is limited to just eating trigger foods. Since every person has different thresholds for what would trigger heartburn, other factors like how much you eat, how often you eat, and the frequency of your meals also affect how like you are to experience pain between your shoulder blades.

2. Stress

Patients experiencing elevated levels of stress are more likely to develop GERD and chronic chest pain, according to a study that interviewed over 12,000 people with GERD. This likelihood seems to persist even when medications are involved.

Significant amounts of stress can often manifest in minor changes throughout the body that compound over time. Most theories suggest that elevated levels of stress hormones in the body make you more sensitive to fluctuation in your stomach’s acid levels, and decrease the production of prostaglandins that protect the stomach from acid. 

The stress from managing acid reflux can also lead to a feedback loop, where the repeated strain on the body makes it more likely to develop into GERD. This is why it is so crucial for patients to seek medical help if they experience heartburn regularly, or their chest pain becomes more severe.

3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

People who take medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen rarely experience acid reflux, but patients that have GERD are more likely to experience symptoms of heartburn and chest pain. Because these medications often irritate the stomach lining, which makes it more sensitive to acid levels.

Sometimes, patients using NSAIDs as a relief for back and chest pain may ease the factors that cause that pain while simultaneously developing their risk of getting GERD. This is especially apparent with patients who over-rely on NSAIDs to treat any pre-existing conditions.

Acid reflux and GERD can both trigger heartburn, but GERD has more severe episodes of heartburn that can be difficult to control without medication. Symptoms like bloating, flatulence, and incontinence can also manifest because of heartburn, which further complicates potential treatment options and place more strain on the body.

Other Reasons For Pain Between Shoulder Blades

While GERD may be a likely culprit for cases that involve chronic chest pain, there are other causes that the patient and their doctor should consider:

1. Muscle strain and active injury

One of the most common causes of pain between your shoulder blades is increased stress and strain on the muscle group in that area. Strenuous or intense activities like exercising, heavy lifting, sudden movement, and other activities can also trigger this pain.

Active injuries like spine fractures, slipped discs, or other trauma can also trigger chest pain. While problems like these often heal once the underlying condition has been treated, there are rare instances where the pain persists after the healing process. In these cases, physical therapy or surgery may be considered as a more permanent treatment option.

2. Heart attack

Shortness of breath and intense and acute chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Women are particularly prone to this kind of chest pain, though factors like family history and predisposition to heart attacks also play a role. These situations will almost always call for emergency medical treatment, and should never be ignored.

3. Certain types of cancer

Lymphomas, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer can all trigger acute and chronic chest pain, especially if the tumor has grown large enough to apply significant pressure on a muscle or nerve group. Cancers that spread to bones can also trigger significant amounts of pain between the shoulder blades, though this will often mean that these conditions have progressed to the mid-to-late stages of development.

4. Osteoarthritis

A typical cause of chest pain (especially in older adults) is osteoarthritis, where the cartilage surrounding the joints in the neck, spine, or ribs break down. This usually causes chronic chest pain for many patients, though it may manifest in acute pain if caught early. As a degenerative disability, physical therapy and preventive lifestyle are some of the best ways to treat it.

5. Improper sleeping position

Because the spine follows a natural curvature, improper sleeping positions can knock it out of alignment and cause pain once you wake up. This is particularly apparent in people that like to sleep on their stomach or their sides, since those are the positions that are the least conducive to proper spinal alignment.

If you experience acute or chronic pain between your shoulder blades that worsens when you wake up, your spine may be misaligned from being stuck in an improper sleeping position for so long. Doctors will usually recommend better sleeping aids like mattresses or pillows, though some serious cases may require physical therapy and surgery.

Manage Your Back Pain And Improve Your Spinal Health At The Spine And Rehab Group

Acid reflux can cause chest and back pain, but it’s better to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Even if you have regular episodes of heartburn and history of GERD, any significant or different back pain should be checked so you can rule out any serious complications.

At the Spine And Rehab Group, we have extensive experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of any spinal-related injuries or back pain. As one of the leading providers of spinal care in New York, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellent customer service and effective solutions. To learn more about our services and what we can do for your back pain, visit one of our clinics today.

Learn more: What Causes Muscle Knots In The Lower Left Back?

90,000 Pain in the left arm

Learning to hear and respond to pain signals from the body often helps prevent serious health problems. After all, any pain is a language through which our body communicates that something is wrong with it. What are the causes of this pain in the left arm and left shoulder?

Pain in the left arm can be the result of many health problems. These are injuries, overexertion, diseases of the spine and joints, neuritis, gout and even heart disease.Yes, often with the help of pain in the left hand, the body insistently declares that it is time for you to hang a cardiologist.

How to determine that it is the heart that makes itself felt?

Let us consider in more detail the “heart” pain in the left arm and related diseases.

Ischemic heart disease

The pain arises rapidly, like an attack, and just as quickly fades away. More often it takes no more than five minutes from the beginning to the end of the attack. If at the same time painful sensations are given to the left side of the neck and the left shoulder blade, then you really are faced with angina pectoris. If you have observed such symptoms in yourself, make an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible. You cannot take risks, because in case of delay, the case may end in a heart attack.

Ischemic heart disease

Unlike an attack of angina pectoris, painful episodes in hypertensive crisis last much longer and can reach fifteen minutes.

Typical for a heart attack:

1) Burning, pressing, constricting pain in the sternum, radiating to the left shoulder and jaw.It can hardly be felt, or it can be unbearably strong
2) Pain and numbness of the left arm
3) Dizziness
4) Nausea
5) Cold sweat

If you or your loved one has at least a few of the listed symptoms, urgently dial 03.

Diseases of the heart are one of the most severe and most common diseases. Therefore, even if you are only concerned about pain in the left arm, you should not wait for other symptoms to appear. It is better to be examined by a cardiologist in advance.

If you are looking for a good cardiologist in Vladivostok, contact our Zabota Plus clinic. Our specialists are highly qualified and will be happy to help you. We work around the clock. Be healthy!

Pain in the left arm – causes, diseases, diagnosis, prevention and treatment – Likar24

Hand pain can occur for many reasons. For example, through soft tissue damage. Serious problems can be indicated by pain in the left arm (myocardial infarction), but you do not need to panic, it can also be ordinary muscle pain or overexertion of the joints.

Pain may be due to recent trauma, dislocation or fracture. If they are of a serious nature, then the pain is quite severe, and edema may appear at the site of injury.

Short-term or persistent overload on your muscles can create a feeling of tightness in your arms or mild pain. Tunnel syndrome can also cause pain as a result of constant stress on your bone.

Various diseases of the joints and spine can serve as the appearance of this symptom. If you have a pinched nerve, then the pain can be given to the hands, motor skills are impaired and numbness in the muscles appears. In some cases, certain joint diseases can manifest themselves through changes in the processes in the body of a pregnant woman.

If you feel pain in the left hand, then this may signal a possible myocardial infarction, such a case should be given maximum attention.

The main thing is to monitor not only the main possible manifestations: pain in the chest, in the back, in the neck, in the left hand.With a heart attack, you may experience nausea, dizziness, cold sweat, shortness of breath, and shortness of breath. If you have several of these manifestations along with pain in the left arm, then urgently call an ambulance.

Surveys can vary greatly. Usually, for minor illnesses, everything will end with an examination by your therapist. You may be assigned:

• radiography;
• MRI;
• ct;
• complete blood count;
• electrocardiogram (for suspected heart disease).

Diseases, not life-threatening:

• osteochondrosis;
• protrusion;
• herniated discs;
• arthrosis;
• arthritis;
• bursitis;
• tendonitis;
• gout;
• neuritis.

Myocardial infarction, which manifests itself with prolonged pain (several minutes), can be especially dangerous to your life.

For pains not associated with a heart attack, it is worth visiting the hospital for an examination by a therapist and general examinations, which will help to identify the cause of their occurrence.If you have a suspicion of a heart attack, urgently call an ambulance.

First of all, you must undergo an examination, since the spectrum of possible diseases is very different and you do not need to self-medicate without a doctor’s instructions.

90,000 Weakness of the muscles of the shoulder and arm

Weakness in the hand is hard not to notice, it is a very uncomfortable sensation. If weakness is at
one or both hands occurs after heavy physical exertion, after prolonged 90 025
pressure on the arm or after a minor injury to the arm, it is more likely a transient muscle
weakness, strength in the arm recovers after a short rest.If weakness is in hand
occurs without any reason, is accompanied by other symptoms, for example, pain in
spine, headaches, hand numbness, high blood pressure, then
this is a serious reason to see a doctor.
Weakness in the arm occurs due to muscle disorders, disorders in peripheral nerves
(neuritis, tunnel syndrome, radicular syndrome), diseases of the central nervous system
systems (stroke, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis).Diseases of the shoulder, elbow,
wrist joints can also lead to weakness in the hand. Stretching the tendons of the muscles of the arm
often accompanied not only by limitation of movement, but also weakness in the hand. Weakness in the Hands
is a manifestation of general weakness in diseases such as diabetes, anemia, diseases
thyroid gland.
Weakness in the arm is a serious symptom of a health disorder. In some cases,
the occurrence of weakness in the hand requires an immediate call to an ambulance, for example,
if weakness appears in the same leg, headaches, speech impairment, high arterial pressure
pressure – these are symptoms of acute cerebrovascular accident.Weakness in the left hand
may be one of the initial manifestations of myocardial infarction. A gradual rise
weakness in the arm combined with weakness in other limbs, numbness in the arms, requires
exclusion of autoimmune diseases of the nervous system.
In the clinic “Eleos” qualified specialists – neurologist, therapist, cardiologist –
diagnose and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. Drug therapy,
physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, exercise therapy and
non-traditional methods of treatment will help you restore lost health and
return to normal life.

Heart aches and gives to the left hand

Every second from time to time feels unpleasant sensations and deterioration of health. There is pain in the heart, which radiates to the left hand. These symptoms are short-lived or last for several days. Pain in the region of the heart worries the patient. It has a different character, frequency and intensity. Most often, patients experience sharp and pulling pain, which stops when the posture is changed.

Why does my heart ache and my hands go numb? Are these symptoms related to the cardiovascular system? Which doctors should you visit? To establish an accurate diagnosis and start treatment, it is advisable to consult a specialist as soon as possible and undergo a comprehensive diagnosis of the body. To prevent the development of the disease, contact the medical staff of the KDS Clinic institution. Each patient will be referred for tests, for a complete examination, and an effective treatment will be assigned. The disease will be detected even at an early stage.

Pain in the heart gives to the arm, not only in case of problems with the cardiovascular system. Such symptoms may indicate impaired functioning of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, we are talking about hormonal changes in the body.

Heart hurts, left hand grows numb, reasons

Pain in the left arm and heart appears when the work of one of the systems is disrupted in the body. Numbness of the extremities on the left is a clear sign of the development of the disease.Experts identify a lot of reasons that affect the deterioration of health. They are divided into heart and non-heart reasons. Among them:

Cardiac causes of pain in the heart and numbness of the limbs

1. Ischemic heart disease. With ischemic heart disease, the patient feels a sharp dagger pain in the region of the heart, which radiates to the left hand. In such situations, you cannot do without pain relievers and without the help of doctors. We are talking about damage to the heart muscle. Stress, emotional stress, chronic lack of sleep lead to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Also, coronary heart disease is manifested in people who work physically. The patient has a pain in his heart, arm. In advanced cases, deterioration of well-being is accompanied by dizziness, pulling sensations in the left shoulder area. The person is in a state of panic fear, he is thrown into a cold sweat. The nervous system is rebooted, therefore it cannot function normally. If ignored, these symptoms lead to myocardial infarction and angina pectoris. An attack of angina pectoris lasts about ten minutes.It is recommended to use nitroglycerin and drugs for vasodilatation. Do not self-medicate. The KDS Clinic will prescribe the necessary treatment and stop the development of the disease.
2. Myocardial infarction. The heart hurts and gives it to the arm with the development of myocardial infarction. The disease is extremely dangerous to human life and will be fatal. There is a strong sharp pain in the heart, the hand becomes numb. In some cases, the face also becomes numb. The patient feels a panic fear of death, he is shaken. If symptoms worsen within an hour and do not stop after taking medication, then the patient is guaranteed a heart attack.It is worth calling an ambulance. Sometimes myocardial infarction goes away without showing any symptoms.
3. Myocarditis. Heart and arm ache with myocarditis. This pathology indicates serious violations of the cardiovascular system. The disease is not easy to diagnose. Symptoms are shortness of breath, tinnitus, constant fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and fear for one’s life, dizziness, cold sweat. The patient is worried about tachycardia, arterial pressure disorder.There are severe pains in the chest, in the heart. Hands and feet become numb. The development of myocarditis is not associated with physical activity.
4. Congenital heart disease.
5. Cardiomyopathy.
6. Vegetovascular dystonia.
7. Pericarditis.
8. Consequence of nervous breakdowns and stress.

Noncardiac causes of heart pain and numbness of the limbs

Most often, the patient has pain in his left arm and heart, in case of a disease not of the heart, but of neighboring organs. We are talking about pathologies of the lungs, kidneys, musculoskeletal system. Among them:

1. Osteochondrosis. With the development of osteochondrosis, the load is also on the heart system. In addition to discomfort in the spine, there is severe pain in the heart and numbness in the limbs. Requires special attention of medical professionals to prevent the development of the disease.
2. Consequences of injuries. After the injuries received, violations occur throughout the body.
3. Duodenal ulcer.With a duodenal ulcer, limbs are often numb. It is worth contacting a doctor as soon as possible.
4. Pancreatitis. Concomitant symptoms are called nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pallor of the face, fever.
5. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. With disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient feels unbearable pain not only in the stomach, but also in the heart. A lot of stress goes on the heart.
6. Neuralgia.
7. Hormonal disorders. Most often, the heart hurts and gives it to the hand in women. In some cases, the symptoms are associated with hormonal imbalances.
8. Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the functional body of a woman completely changes. The load is on all organs, especially on the heart. In this regard, the pregnant woman feels unwell, numbness of the limbs.
9. Breast pathology.
10. Benign and malignant tumors.
11. Tuberculosis.
12. Bronchial asthma.
13. Dry pleurisy.

Diagnosis of pain in the heart and numbness of the left arm

Unpleasant sensations in the region of the heart are a signal that the functioning of the body is impaired. You should definitely visit a specialist. The KDS Clinic conducts a comprehensive examination of the body using modern equipment. See your cardiologist and neurologist. The doctor will refer you to the tests and examinations. Among them are electrocardiogram, ultrasound diagnostics of the heart, holter examination and others.

90,000 Elbow, wrist and arm pain

Achieve more with relief from pain in the elbows, wrists and hands

Physical therapy can help you get rid of aches and pains in your upper extremities!

If you experience pain due to injury, illness, or some other underlying condition, it can greatly affect your quality of life.

As long as you constantly use your elbows, wrists and hands throughout the day, nothing will make you realize how much you are using them, as a feeling of pain inside them.

Just imagine your typical morning: you get out of bed, brush your teeth, shower, get dressed, make breakfast, and go to work. By now, you’ve used your elbows, wrists, and arms hundreds of times – and you’re still at the start of your day!

Fortunately, you can find relief or even make a full recovery by working with a licensed physical therapist in Hallandale Beach.

Schedule an appointment with Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation today to begin your elbow, wrist, or arm pain relief.

How can physical therapy help with pain in the elbows, wrists and hands?

Whatever the cause of your elbow, wrist, or arm pain, physical therapy can help. Our advanced therapies at Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation can help ease your pain, restore range of motion, and get you back to normal.

In many cases, physical therapy can even help you eliminate the need for harmful pain relieving or invasive surgical procedures for conditions that damage nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Our Physiotherapists in Hallandale Beach will create a personalized treatment plan that is unique to the specific needs of your condition.

This may include any combination of specialized therapies such as manual therapy, pain and inflammation reduction techniques, and specific therapeutic exercises to restore strength and painless movement.

What causes pain in the elbows, wrists and hands?

Listed below are some of the most common conditions that can be causing the pain you feel:

Stretch / Strain

Sprains and strains in the elbow, wrist, or hand can also cause pain.Sprains are more related to the ligaments that connect bone to bone, while deformities refer to muscle or tendon injuries. These injuries usually result from rapid overstrain of ligaments or tendons, such as falling onto an outstretched arm or grabbing something heavy.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common condition that affects about 53 million Americans. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation , it is the most common form of disability in the United States.There are many different forms of arthritis, but it is usually caused by repetitive movements or an injury that affects the cartilage in the joints of the elbow, wrist, or hand. Physical therapy helps improve joint mobility, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the surrounding supporting muscles.

Elbow bursitis

At the end of the elbow is a fluid-filled sac called a bursa that serves as a cushion for the ulna or ulna. When this bursa is compressed due to injury or repetitive movement, it can lead to pain and swelling.Because of this, elbow bursitis is common in athletes and students.

Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

Tennis elbow refers to pain in the lateral or outer elbow, while golfer’s elbow refers to pain in the medial or inner elbow. Both of these injuries are the result of repetitive injuries and can be associated with many different tasks, not just the sports for which they are named. Physical therapy is the best treatment for any of these conditions because it restores the underlying constraints of the joints and soft tissues that cause tension in the tendons and reduces inflammation fairly quickly.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

According to the American Physiotherapy Association , carpal tunnel syndrome affects approximately 5% of all Americans. The main function of the carpal tunnel is to protect the median nerve on the inside of the wrist in addition to the tendons you use to flex your fingers. However, this tunnel can narrow, which can compress the nerve, leading to various symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the thumb, first and second toes.In addition to pain in the wrist and hand, swelling of the hand and fingers is possible. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be caused by trauma or repetitive work-related use, such as working on an assembly line, heavy keyboard work, or driving heavy machinery.

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common form of compression nerve injury that can lead to pain in the elbows, wrists and hands. It is caused by repetitive pressure on the ulnar nerve located inside the elbow known as the “fun bone”.Pressure on the ulnar canal and surrounding nerves can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, especially in the ring and little fingers.

If you experience any of the symptoms associated with the above conditions, or if you have persistent elbow, wrist, or hand pain that persists, contact Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation in Hallandale Beach as soon as possible to make an appointment.

Are you experiencing these symptoms?

Short-term pain in the elbow, wrist, or arm usually results from injury, but long-term chronic pain may indicate illness or other underlying factors.

You may think your pain levels range from mild to severe, and may also be intermittent, which means it comes and goes at different times throughout the day.

Other symptoms accompanying pain may include numbness or tingling in the extremities, especially fingers.

It can make it difficult for you to be physically active in your normal range, creating problems with work or performing daily tasks, depending on the severity of your condition.

Find an effective upper limb pain reliever today!

Don’t let the pain in your elbows, wrists or arm further reduce your quality of life! If you are looking for a physical therapist in Hallandale Beach, contact Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation today to make an appointment and meet one of our dedicated team members.

We look forward to bringing you back to life with the healthy and physically active lifestyle you deserve!

90,000 Which doctor should I go to for pain in the arm – doctors treating the disease

Surgeons of Moscow – latest reviews

I liked everything.I am planning to contact this specialist with my son. Anton Borisovich explained the reason for my problem and gave all the necessary recommendations. He is a polite and attentive doctor.

Olga,

October 31, 2021

The reception was top notch.I really liked the doctor, it is clear that he is a competent specialist, a professional in his field. Olga Nikolaevna is polite and kind. The doctor helped me solve my problem, performed an operation on me, everything went well. I recommend a specialist.

Yaroslav,

October 29, 2021

I went to the doctor with a specific problem, but it turned out that I had come to the wrong address.Therefore, I went through a consultation and examination on another issue. This is not the first time I have applied to this specialist. Anna Valerievna is polite, pleasant. I recommend this doctor to my friends.

Svetlana,

October 29, 2021

Adequate, good specialist.Reception took place on time. The consultation was successful. As it turned out, I had no big problems. Alexander Vladimirovich prescribed an ointment for me and gave me a couple of tips for prevention. Would go to this doctor again, if necessary.

Alexander,

October 28, 2021

The doctor was summoned to the house.Competent, correct, attentive specialist. We have positive impressions. We got everything we wanted. We will turn to this doctor again, if necessary. We have something to compare with and this is the best specialist we have met recently. I recommend a doctor.

Marina,

October 28, 2021

Gyulayat Bagautdinovna thoroughly told me everything, explained, described and conducted an examination.Everything went well and to the point.

Paul,

October 27, 2021

In general, Georgy Levanovich is friendly and professional.The only thing that upset me was that there were no recommendations and prescribed physiotherapy from the doctor. At the appointment, the doctor just did an examination and said to develop a brush.

Alexander,

October 31, 2021

I really liked the doctor and the service is good.An attentive and responsive specialist. During the appointment, the doctor carefully examined, conducted a survey, the necessary manipulations and made recommendations. I cannot assess the result yet, as the treatment is long. I wish Olga Damirovna health! I advise the doctor!

Svetlana,

October 28, 2021

Zemfira Uzeirovna is a very good woman.She explained everything in detail and told, showed everything, prescribed treatment. The reception went well. I was very pleased and will recommend this doctor.

Irina,

October 27, 2021

At the reception, Andrei Yuryevich examined me, did an ultrasound scan, and the doctor concluded that everything was fine with me.Also, the doctor consulted me on the issue to which I turned. If necessary, I will refer to him again.

Anastasia,

October 27, 2021

Show 10 reviews of 14,678 90,000 Diseases of the peripheral nerves and plexuses

nerves and plexuses of the autonomic nervous system, connecting the central nervous system with skeletal muscles and internal organs.

Most neurological diseases associated with the peripheral nervous system involve disorders of the peripheral nerves and associated muscles. Accordingly, with the pathology of a nerve, all its functions can suffer: firstly, the sensitivity, which is necessary for the transmission of information from different parts of the body to the brain, secondly, the motor function, carried out due to the contraction of skeletal muscles, and, thirdly, trophic the function of the nerve, with the defeat of which there are so-called “trophic changes” of certain parts of the body.In addition, nerve damage can lead to severe pain syndrome, which often requires special treatment.

Of course, the symptoms characteristic of diseases of the peripheral nervous system, such as numbness, muscle weakness and pain, can have a different genesis and cause, which the doctor must determine in order to develop the correct treatment tactics.

For an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe an examination, including neurophysiological methods (stimulation electroneuromyography, needle electromyography, evoked potentials of the brain) and neuroimaging methods (MRI, CT, ultrasound).

Numbness

Decreased sensitivity leads to numbness in some part of the body, decreased control of limb function, which can be perceived as awkwardness of the arm or leg and interfere with the patient’s usual actions, especially those associated with fine and precise movements, the so-called fine motor skills. Prolonged persistent numbness of the face, arms or legs often exhausts patients, is very painful for them, and may be accompanied by fear of a latent progressive disease.Therefore, even isolated numbness requires prompt and correct treatment. Also, a decrease in sensitivity can lead to impaired walking, gait instability, when the patient complains that he has ceased to feel support and is forced to “stamp” every step, as well as difficulties in maintaining balance.

Muscle weakness

A decrease in muscle strength leads to weakness of both individual and several muscles, as well as entire muscle groups.The patient may complain of double vision, change in voice, deterioration of articulation, impaired swallowing, breathing. There may also be complaints of weakness in the hands, when, for example, it is difficult for a person to perform the usual actions of buttoning the buttons on a shirt, turning the key in the lock, or possessing more professional skills: working with a needle and thread, playing a musical instrument. Weakness in the legs can make it difficult to sit / stand up from a low chair, and the patient has to lean on his hands when standing up or “flop” into the chair when squatting.Often, muscle weakness can be invisible to the patient, for example, the so-called “horse foot” is manifested by difficulty in extending the foot, leads to the inability to take a full step with support on the heel and does not allow a person to run. Often this problem is not accompanied by pain and significant numbness and is identified by the patient’s relatives or when trying to switch from walking to running.

Trophic changes

Trophic changes are called changes in a certain part of the body, resulting from the rupture of the connection of a nerve with a limited area of ​​tissue or organ.As a result, there are changes in the skin, hair, nails, subcutaneous fat and even bones. In some chronic pain syndromes (Sudeck’s syndrome), the skin in the corresponding area becomes thinner, muscles atrophy, the vasculature changes, hair and legs become fragile, bones become smaller and thinner.

Pain

Medical pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or described in terms of, actual or potential tissue damage (IASP definition).Thus, pain is a complex feeling associated with existing or possible organic damage, as it is usually accompanied by an emotional experience. Pain syndrome significantly reduces the quality of life of patients and requires regular use of pain medications or restrictions in movements and daily activities of a person. Sometimes pain bothers at night and interferes with proper sleep and rest. To identify the cause of pain, many factors and levels of damage must be considered, starting with the terminal branch of a particular nerve and continuing to search at higher levels of the brachial or lumbosacral plexus, spinal cord, and sometimes the brain.

Most common diseases of the peripheral nervous system:

• Damage to the spinal nerves (radiculopathy) . Most often, the defeat of the spinal nerves occurs by intervertebral hernias, which usually occur in the lumbosacral and less often in the cervical spine. Manifested by pain in the lower back, neck with the spread of pain in the arm or leg.

• Stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal , which usually develops in the lumbosacral spine, is manifested by weakness and pain in the legs associated with standing upright or walking for relatively short distances.

• The syndrome of the scalene muscle with compression of the bundles of the brachial plexus develops in the sewing-shoulder region. It manifests itself as pain, numbness in various areas of the arm, shoulder, less often the chest and shoulder blade, and weakness and awkwardness of the hand may also occur. Piriformis syndrome is a severe spasm of this muscle located next to the sciatic nerve deep in the gluteal region, more common in people with developed muscles, drivers. It is manifested by pain along the back of the leg to the heel, numbness.

• Tunnel neuropathies more often occur in the wrist, elbow, ankle joints, are manifested by burning sensation, pain, numbness in the fingers and less often legs, weakness, awkwardness when performing fine motor skills.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve in the wrist is compressed by ligaments and tendons.It manifests itself as a burning sensation, pain, and later numbness in all fingers, except for the little finger, the symptoms intensify at night and in the morning.

• Ulnar nerve neuropathy occurs due to compression of the ulnar nerve in the area of ​​the elbow joint. It is manifested by numbness in the little finger and ring finger, weak flexion of the fingers, hypotrophy of some muscles of the hand. More often occurs in men, it is associated with chronic elbow injury in athletes, forced position of the left hand in drivers.

• Peroneal nerve neuropathy (equine foot syndrome) is manifested by weak extension of the foot or sagging foot, usually not accompanied by pain. Men suffer more often after 40 years.

• Radial nerve neuropathy occurs after sleeping in an uncomfortable position, surgical treatment of a fracture of the humerus, since the nerve has many bends in the arm and is characterized by increased sensitivity to compression.

• Sciatic nerve neuropathy occurs more often in women after 50. It manifests itself as pain, numbness and weakness in the leg, symptoms start from the gluteal or lumbar region and go down the back of the thigh and down to the foot. The reason may be in chronic inflammatory changes in the joints of the pelvic bones, pelvic organs.

• Brachial plexitis (inflammation of the brachial plexus, neuralgic amyotrophy) is manifested by severe and debilitating pain, weakness and numbness in the shoulder and upper arms.It occurs after hypothermia or a recent viral infection that occurs with a rise in temperature. Pain is troubling day and night and usually causes patients to see a doctor right away.

• Guillain-Barré syndrome (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy) is manifested by the rapid development of muscle weakness, numbness and an ascending pattern of symptoms. The disease usually begins symmetrically with the feet and hands, then spreads up towards the body, and often leads to the development of weakness of the respiratory muscles and respiratory arrest in the absence of timely treatment.The prognosis is usually good with prompt and correct treatment.

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