What is costochondritis? What causes this condition? How can it be treated? Discover the answers to these questions and more in our comprehensive analysis of this painful yet harmless condition.

Understanding Costochondritis: An Overview

Costochondritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This condition can cause sharp, stabbing pain in the chest area, often worsening with deep breathing, coughing, or excessive movement of the rib cage. Despite its alarming symptoms, costochondritis is generally a harmless and non-life-threatening condition.

Anatomical Considerations: The Rib Cage’s Role

To understand costochondritis, it’s important to first consider the anatomy of the rib cage. Each person has 12 pairs of ribs, with the top 7 pairs attaching to the spine and forming a junction with cartilage that connects to the breastbone. The lower ribs (8th, 9th, and 10th) attach to cartilage but not directly to the sternum, making them more flexible and prone to problems. The last 2 ribs (11th and 12th) are called “floating ribs” and do not attach to the front of the body.

The rib cage is surrounded by three layers of muscles that control rib movement during breathing. Costochondritis is often related to dysfunction in the normal movement of the ribs, which can lead to pain and decreased mobility.

Causes of Costochondritis: Unraveling the Mystery

The exact cause of costochondritis is often unknown, or “idiopathic.” However, there are several potential triggers that may contribute to the development of this condition:

• Trauma, such as a car accident or a direct blow to the chest
• Excessive coughing or strain due to a respiratory infection
• Back spasms or midback pain that leads to rib dysfunction

In some cases, the imbalance in rib movement can be visible in the rib cage’s asymmetrical appearance when compared between the left and right sides.

Symptoms of Costochondritis: Distinguishing the Pain

The primary symptom of costochondritis is a sharp, stabbing pain near the area where the rib meets the cartilage, usually close to the sternum. This pain may worsen with activities that involve deep breathing, coughing, or excessive movement of the rib cage. The affected area is also often tender to the touch.

It’s important to note that the pain caused by costochondritis can sometimes mimic the symptoms of more serious conditions, such as a heart attack or pleurisy. If you experience persistent or severe chest pain, it’s crucial to seek medical attention to rule out any underlying heart or lung issues.

Diagnosing Costochondritis: Ruling Out Other Conditions

Diagnosing costochondritis often involves a process of elimination, as the condition is typically diagnosed when other more serious conditions have been ruled out. A healthcare provider may perform a physical examination, palpating the chest wall to identify the source of the pain. In some cases, imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans may be ordered to rule out other potential causes of the chest pain.

It’s important for individuals experiencing chest pain to seek medical attention, as it’s crucial to determine the underlying cause and rule out any life-threatening conditions.

Treating Costochondritis: Alleviating the Pain

The primary goal in treating costochondritis is to reduce inflammation and alleviate the associated pain. Traditional physical therapy approaches, such as the use of ultrasound and heat, can help to reduce inflammation and provide some relief. However, more specialized manual therapy techniques performed by a trained physical therapist can be particularly effective in normalizing rib function and mobility, ultimately reducing the pain associated with costochondritis.

Remember that because the ribs are connected to the thoracic spine, any issues in the midback area can lead to compensations and rib dysfunction. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying cause is often necessary for successful treatment.

Prognosis and Recovery: Managing Costochondritis

Costochondritis is generally a non-life-threatening condition, but it can sometimes become a chronic or recurrent issue. With proper treatment and management, the majority of individuals with costochondritis can experience a full recovery and return to their normal activities. However, it’s important to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider and to be patient, as the recovery process can vary from person to person.

In cases where the condition becomes chronic or recurrent, ongoing management and monitoring may be necessary to maintain a good quality of life and prevent further exacerbations.

Costochondritis: Painful but Harmless – BioSynchronistics®

January 14, 2013 by Carol Tschirpke, P.T.

Have you ever experienced a sharp stabbing pain in your chest that got worse when you took a deep breath? Or a “stitch” in your ribs? You may have experienced a condition called costochondritis. Although this may sound like a mouthful—the word is easy to decipher when it is broken down to its two root words and suffix. “Costo” refers to rib, and “chondro” refers to cartilage. The suffix “itis” refers to an inflammation process. So, we have an inflammation of the rib and cartilage area of the chest.

Costochondritis is a harmless but painful condition that is often diagnosed when other more serious conditions, such as heart attack and pleurisy, are ruled out.

Symptoms of costochondritis usually include sharp pain near the area where the rib joins cartilage near the sternum or breastbone. Coughing, taking a deep breath, excessive twisting or strain to the rib cage may cause pain to worsen. The painful area is usually very tender to touch.

The cause of costochondritis is often idiopathic, meaning unknown. Sometimes it can happen after trauma, such as a car accident in which the steering wheel impacts the sternum or the seat belt cuts across the chest. In other cases, the condition may start after a bad cold that is accompanied by excessive coughing. Still in other situations, a person may have some back spasms or midback pain and then develop rib pain.

The mechanics of rib function can shed some light on costochondritis. First, let’s start with some anatomy. Both men and women have 12 pair of ribs. The top 7 pairs attach in back to the spine in an interesting way. Each rib forms a joint with two vertebrae. The rib then bows around the side of the body and forms a junction with cartilage that then joins the rib to the breastbone. If you run your fingers down the center of your sternum, starting just below the space between your collarbones, you can get an idea how much of your chest is protected by the rib cage.

Now slide your fingertips about an inch to either side of the center of the sternum and run your fingers down vertically. You will feel bumps and indentations as you travel down the junctions between rib, cartilage and the edge of the sternum. When you get to the bottom of the sternum the ribs form upside down. It is at this point that the 8th, 9th and 10th ribs attach not to the sternum but instead to cartilage. These ribs are therefore more flexible and can more easily become problematic. The last 2 ribs (11th and 12th) still are attached to the spine like the other 10 pairs, but they don’t attach to the front at all. They are therefore called floating ribs.

In clinical practice, it isn’t unusual to find restrictions around these floating ribs as the source of side stitches in running. One possible explanation is that the rotation of the trunk involved in running can irritate the muscle and fascia around the ribs if they are restricted from moving freely, causing pain.

Between each rib are 3 layers of muscles that form a weave. They control rib movement as you breathe in and out. Costochondritis appears to be related to dysfunction in the normal movement of the rib that causes it to be less mobile. This is why deep breathing or other activities that cause the ribs to move may be painful. Often, this imbalance can be seen in the mirror in that the rib cage looks different when comparing left and right sides. Although many people have asymmetrical rib cages, not all have rib pain. Typically, rib pain will occur if the imbalance is a recent event.

To treat costochondritis, traditional physical therapists use ultrasound and heat to reduce the inflammation. This procedure does have some success. To speed recovery, however, a manual physical therapist trained in the specialized area of ribs can normalize rib function and mobility and reduce pain by using gentle hands-on techniques. Remember that because all ribs are attached to the thoracic spine in back, any problem with this midback area can lead to compensations in the rib cage. It is important to know that this sometimes chronic condition in many cases can be successfully treated.

Filed Under: Health & Wellness Tagged With: Back Pain, Medical

Costochondritis – Augusta Health

Content provided by Mayo Clinic

Date Updated: 04/22/2020

Overview

Costochondritis (kos-toe-kon-DRY-tis) is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). Pain caused by costochondritis might mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

Costochondritis is sometimes known as chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome or costosternal chondrodynia. Sometimes, swelling accompanies the pain (Tietze syndrome).

Costochondritis usually has no apparent cause. Treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for the condition to improve on its own, which can take several weeks or longer.

Costochondritis usually goes away on its own, although it might last for several weeks or longer. Treatment focuses on pain relief.

Symptoms

The pain associated with costochondritis usually:

• Occurs on the left side of your breastbone
• Is sharp, aching or pressure-like
• Affects more than one rib
• Worsens when you take a deep breath or cough

When to see a doctor

If you have chest pain, you should seek emergency medical attention to rule out life-threatening causes such as a heart attack.

Causes

Costochondritis usually has no clear cause. Occasionally, however, costochondritis may be caused by:

• Injury. A blow to the chest is one example.
• Physical strain. Heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and severe coughing have been linked to costochondritis.
• Arthritis. Costochondritis might be linked to specific problems, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
• Joint infection. Viruses, bacteria and fungi — such as tuberculosis, syphilis and aspergillosis — can infect the rib joint.
• Tumors. Noncancerous and cancerous tumors can cause costochondritis. Cancer might travel to the joint from another part of the body, such as the breast, thyroid or lung.

Risk factors

Costochondritis occurs most often in women and in people older than 40.

Tietze syndrome usually occurs in teenagers and young adults, and with equal frequency in men and women.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your doctor will feel along your breastbone for areas of tenderness or swelling. The doctor may also move your rib cage or your arms in certain ways to try to trigger your symptoms.

The pain of costochondritis can be very similar to the pain associated with heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal problems and osteoarthritis. While there is no laboratory or imaging test to confirm a diagnosis of costochondritis, your doctor might order certain tests — such as an electrocardiograph, X-ray, CT or MRI — to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

Costochondritis usually goes away on its own, although it might last for several weeks or longer. Treatment focuses on pain relief.

Medications

Your doctor might recommend:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although certain medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) are available over the counter, your doctor might prescribe stronger varieties of these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Side effects might include damage to your stomach lining and kidneys.
• Narcotics. If your pain is severe, your doctor might prescribe medications containing codeine, such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin, Norco) or oxycodone/acetaminophen (Tylox, Roxicet, Percocet). Narcotics can be habit-forming.
• Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, are often used to control chronic pain — especially if it’s keeping you awake at night.
• Anti-seizure drugs. The epilepsy medication gabapentin (Neurontin) also has proved successful in controlling chronic pain.

Therapy

Physical therapy treatments might include:

• Stretching exercises. Gentle stretching exercises for the chest muscles may be helpful.
• Nerve stimulation. In a procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a device sends a weak electrical current via adhesive patches on the skin near the area of pain. The current might interrupt or mask pain signals, preventing them from reaching your brain.

Surgical and other procedures

If conservative measures don’t work, your doctor might suggest injecting numbing medication and a corticosteroid directly into the painful joint.

Lifestyle and home remedies

It can be frustrating to know that there’s little your doctor can do to treat your costochondritis. But self-care measures might make you feel more comfortable. They include:

• Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pain relievers. Ask your doctor about using ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).
• Heat or ice. Try placing hot compresses or a heating pad on the painful area several times a day. Keep the heat on a low setting. Ice also might be helpful.
• Rest. Avoid activities that make your pain worse.

Preparing for an appointment

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the joints (rheumatologist).

What you can do

• Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down your key medical information, including other conditions and any history of injury to the painful joint.
• Write down key personal information, including any major changes or stressors in your life.
• Make a list of all your medications, vitamins or supplements.
• Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• What self-care steps are likely to help improve my symptoms?
• Do I need to restrict any activities?
• What new signs or symptoms should I watch for at home?
• How soon do you expect my symptoms will resolve?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may leave time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:

• When did you first begin experiencing these symptoms? Have they worsened over time?
• Where is your pain located?
• Does exercise or physical exertion make your symptoms worse?
• Does anything else seem to make your pain worse or better?
• Are you having any difficulty breathing?
• Have you had any recent respiratory infections?
• Have you had any recent injuries to your chest?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
• Have you recently experienced a significant amount of stress or change?
• Are you aware of any history of heart problems in your family?

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causes, complaints, treatment in the Loktionov clinic

Ribs hurt (ribs hurt): causes, complaints, treatment in the Loktionov clinic

The rib (in Latin costae) is one of the paired flat arched bones that form the ribcage of vertebrates and humans, starting from the spine and continuing to the sternum. In total, in the human skeleton, there are twelve pairs of ribs adjacent to the vertebrae through the condyle. Ten pairs of ribs are connected to the sternum by cartilage. The first seven ribs are called “true”, and the remaining 5 are called “false”, while the 11th and 12th pairs are free, which means that they are attached to the spine, but not attached to the chest. Some people are characterized by the absence of the 11th or 12th pair of ribs, or, conversely, the presence of the 13th pair. It happens that the lower ribs are specifically removed with the help of surgical intervention, which is intended to obtain a therapeutic or cosmetic effect (for example, the ribs may be removed in order to make the waist narrower).

Which diseases can cause pain in the ribs:

Injuries and fractures of the ribs . A rib fracture is a violation of the integrity of the cartilage or bone tissue of one or more ribs. Usually, fractures of one or more ribs, provided that they are not accompanied by any other complications and injuries, do not require serious treatment and immobilization, but grow together on their own.

Broken ribs heal on their own in a few weeks. However, if you suspect a rib fracture, you need to seek the help of a specialist to confirm the diagnosis and make sure that there are no lung injuries.

Tietze syndrome . This syndrome is characterized by inflammation of the cartilaginous parts of the ribs (most often this occurs in the cartilage that is attached to the sternum). The pain that occurs with this disease usually appears suddenly and is very intense, it is easy to confuse it with an angina attack. But the localization of pain in Tietze’s syndrome and in angina pectoris is different. Tietze’s syndrome is characterized by increased pain as a result of pressing on the sternum or ribs near the sternum. With myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, pain does not depend on pressure on the sternum and ribs.

Intercostal neuralgia . Muscle pain (called neuralgia) gets worse during deep inhalations and exhalations, can change in intensity with a change in position, and also change with movements in the chest. Usually you can find the place where the pain is localized.

The cause of irritation or compression of the nerves located between the ribs is the deformation of the intercostal spaces. These deformities are caused by blows to the chest area (even those that have been transferred for a long time), curvature of the spine, overstrain of the internal and external muscles, as well as ligaments located in the chest, herniated intervertebral discs in the thoracic spine.

Muscular chest pain . Pain localized in the region of the ribs can be caused not only by irritation or compression of the nerves between the ribs, but also by increased muscle tone (one or more). Most often, the cause of pain is the muscles of the scapula, shoulder, or muscles that extend the back. Pain caused by increased muscle tone is characterized by increased pain when the muscle that causes pain is stretched (moving the shoulder blade or shoulder, bending forward).

There are cases when pain in the ribs is a symptom of a depressive or anxious state. Tension in the extensor muscles is one of the symptoms of these conditions. In such situations, gymnastics, manual therapy and blockades only temporarily provide relief.

Osteosarcoma of the ribs .

Fibromyalgia . Pain in the region of the ribs, arising from diseases of the muscles, manifests itself when raising the arms, turning the torso.

Mesothelioma (malignant tumors of the pleura), bronchogenic cancer that has spread to the pleura. These diseases cause pain, localized in the ribs and aggravated by inhalation and exhalation.

Osteochondrosis localized in the thoracic spine.

Pleurisy . Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura (lung sac). The nature of the pain: dull pain, limiting mobility in the chest.

Myocardial ischemia . With this disease, pressure and pain are felt in the ribs, the pain also radiates to the left arm. This happens with strong physical exertion, after overeating, stress.

Acute myocardial infarction. Sensations similar to myocardial ischemia, but longer and stronger, about 30 minutes. In this case, urgent medical attention is needed.

Dissecting aortic aneurysm . Very sharp throbbing pain in the ribs, which radiates to the back. Very weak pulse.

Typical complaints of patients with pain in the area of ​​the ribs

• Severe pain in the area of ​​the ribs began. At the same time, touching with fingers and pressure caused very severe pain. At first I was put on painkillers and the pain subsided. Then it became calmer on its own;
• At first I felt heaviness in the stomach area, then with increasing suffocating girdle pain in the ribs began, the pain did not go away for 2.5 hours, it was even difficult to breathe, no position of lying, standing did not alleviate the pain;
• About a month ago there was an acute severe pain in the area of ​​the ribs under the right breast, closer to the side: it is very painful to breathe, cough. Recently, almost constantly aching pain in the left side almost immediately under the ribs, it feels like in the region of the heart;
• It hurts the place where the blow was, and it is in the area of ​​the ribs;
• Terrible pain in the region of the ribs, very painful to move, breathe;
• About a month ago there was an acute severe pain in the area of ​​the ribs under the right breast, closer to the side: it is very painful to breathe, cough, painful to touch – it hurts in this place both the body and the bone of the ribs, it hurts to turn, it hurts to sit, lie on the side ;
• There was a dull pain at the entrance from the left side of the ribs closer to the back. I sat under the air conditioner at work for 3 days;
• For the last few months, she has been suffering from heaviness, discomfort, and even pain in the area of ​​the ribs on both sides. Sometimes it happens at night or in the morning. With a deep breath, the symptoms are the same. In recent days, I began to notice that a feeling of tightness in the chest occurs after eating (as if it were squeezing with a hoop). This state can last for several hours.

Author of the article:

Loktionov Ivan Viktorovich

Neurologist, specialist in non-drug treatment of the spine, author of a method for treating hernias and protrusions of intervertebral discs without surgery
In 21 years of medical practice, he helped more than 9,000 patients return to their normal lives.

Consultations on the topic: “Pain in the ribs”. Block 1

Consultations on the topic: “Pain in the ribs”. Block 2

Consultations on the topic: “Pain in the ribs”. Block 3

I have a bump on my left god, it hurts when pressed. It hurts my stomach a lot, what could it be? Initially, my ribs just hurt, it was more … and pain in my stomach

Maria

03/15/2021

Hello!
it is necessary to exclude damage to the ribs and intercostal neuralgia.
See a neurologist.

Read to the end

Hello . I am 33 years old, height 160, weight 61 kg, 9 months have passed after giving birth, every morning for 2-3 months I have pain in the upper part under the ribs of the airway . .. Thank you in advance

Elizaveta

03/12/2021

Hello!
I recommend that you consult a neurologist and, after clarifying the diagnosis, undergo a course of treatment.
The course of treatment may include non-drug methods of treatment – acupuncture, vacuum therapy, physiotherapy, spinal traction.
After completing the course – physiotherapy exercises and swimming to strengthen the muscular corset.

Read up to the end

I woke up in the morning and just lay on my back. I tried to pull myself up on the pillow with my right hand and shot through the ribs, a sharp pain cutting in my right side … what is it

Katerina

14.02.2021

Hello!
Yes, you need to see a doctor. The symptomatology described by you can be observed at intercostal neuralgia.
After examination and clarification of the diagnosis, you will be offered treatment.
If you have any questions, please contact us!

Read to the end

Hello.
It pulls under the ribs on the left in the back, gives to the entire back, the ribs in the front left, to the shoulder blade and arm, it hurts the body and there is no temperature. Painkiller…relieves symptoms

Vasilisa

12/06/2020

Hello!
You need to consult a neurologist.
Recommended examination plan:
– ECG,
– complete blood count,
– MRI – spine screening.
Temporarily exclude physical activity until the diagnosis is established.

Read to the end

Hello. In the last weeks of pregnancy she caught a cold and had a strong cough, pain in the ribs appeared. She coughed hard and something cracked in her ribs. Doctors … see a doctor?

Anastasia Andronova

11/18/2020

Hello!
You need to find a doctor who will examine and examine you conscientiously. After that it will be possible to say something.
I recommend that you see another doctor, preferably a neurologist.

Read to the end

Hello, tell me please, there was pain in the right rib (from below) when arching the back back or raising the arms up. What could it be? So pain … in osteochondrosis?

Ludmila

11/13/2020

Hello!
Pain in the ribs during movement may occur with intercostal neuralgia, rib injuries.
To clarify the diagnosis, it is better to consult a doctor, because without an examination it is impossible to say exactly what is the root cause in your case.

Read to the end

Severe cutting and pain in the ribs on both sides and the pain does not go away for the third day.

Oksana

04.10.2020

We can assume that we are talking about intercostal neuralgia. But the diagnosis cannot be made only on the basis of one complaint of the patient without even examining him. Severe cramps and pain in the ribs can be observed in various diseases, so you need to see a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

Read up to the end

Hello! I have been having pain in my ribs on the left side for a year now. bottom of the ribs. starting from the middle and towards the back.

Tina

07/07/2020

Hello!
It is necessary to clarify the diagnosis. Donate blood for a general analysis, perform an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. If the results are normal, then contact a neurologist.

Read to the end

Hello! I have had pain in my ribs on the left side for a year now. the bottom of the ribs. starting from the middle and towards the back. the pain will recede, then it will ache. it hurts a lot when pressed … oh, don’t the ribs hurt?

Tina

07/07/2020

Hello!
It is necessary to clarify the diagnosis. Donate blood for a general analysis, perform an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. If the results are normal, then contact a neurologist.

Read to the end

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Pain under the ribs: causes and treatment

Articles

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Girdle pain under the ribs and in the back is sometimes a sign of a serious illness. The pain syndrome can be severe or have a aching character. It can be aggravated by walking, taking a deep breath, lying down, sitting, or any other position. Depending on the nature and localization of pain, the results of the studies, the doctor determines the cause of the pathology and prescribes an effective treatment. At the Temed Clinic, you can undergo a comprehensive examination to determine the root causes of pain.

This article is advisory in nature. Treatment is prescribed by a specialist after consultation.

Main causes of back pain

There are many causes of back pain under the ribs. Conventionally, the causes are divided into several groups:

• 1

  Degenerative changes in the spine . These include osteochondrosis, herniated discs, protrusions and other diseases. The pain can be girdle in nature, can radiate to the upper shoulder girdle, shoulder blade, abdomen, sometimes accompanied by numbness and tingling in the hands, aggravated by movement and deep inspiration.

• 2

  Inflammatory processes in muscle tissue and cartilage — intercostal muscle myositis, costal chondritis. The pain is dull, aching, has a clear localization in the area of ​​​​inflammation, for example, in the left side or in the lower back, and increases with movement. Muscle tenderness may be felt on palpation.

• 3

  Rib and spine injuries. Pain depends on the nature and location of the injury. When bruised, it is moderate. A fracture of the ribs or spine is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome, aggravated by movement, deep inspiration and palpation in the area of ​​damage.

• 4

  Pathology of nerves and nerve roots – intercostal neuralgia. The pain has an acute paroxysmal character, aggravated by inhalation, coughing, movements. Sometimes it is localized between the ribs, it can occur in front, and a person takes it for a heart problem, it gets worse with inspiration, coughing, and movements.

• 5

  Violations of the internal organs – pleurisy, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcer, renal colic and other diseases. Often pain is accompanied by additional symptoms associated with the affected organ. For example, shortness of breath in diseases of the lungs and heart, bitterness in the mouth and nausea in violations of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary retention in renal colic, fever in pneumonia.

The nature and localization of pain depending on the disease

To make a correct diagnosis, it is important to accurately localize the pain and assess its nature. If the pain between the ribs radiates to the back on the right side, then we can talk about the pathology of the gallbladder, inflammation of the liver, appendicitis. Pulling pain under the ribs from behind from the back is characteristic of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia. With angina pectoris, the pain syndrome can be combined with a feeling of compression and burning in the region of the heart. In chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the pain is often moderate, and in acute inflammatory processes in the GIT, it is severe and requires urgent medical attention.

Many people experience constant pain in the back and lower back, which is aggravated by physical exertion, sudden movements, accompanied by tingling and numbness in the limbs. As a rule, such pains are associated with diseases of the spine. They can have different localization: from the bottom to the top of the back. Such disorders occur when the spinal nerve roots are compressed due to degenerative processes in the bone and cartilage tissues of the spine.

Which doctor should I contact?

Diagnosis and treatment of back pain under the ribs is carried out by narrow specialists. Initially, it is important to determine the localization of pain and its cause. To do this, consult a general practitioner. It can be a therapist or a family doctor. If the specialist has ruled out acute and chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, then for the next stage of diagnosis, a consultation with a neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist is needed.

The neurologist determines the causes of back pain in the region of the ribs, for example, inflammation of the muscles and joints, degenerative processes in the bone tissue with compression of the spinal roots. A specialist can already during a neurological examination determine the cause of the pain or prescribe additional examination methods.

The key area of ​​work for an orthopedic traumatologist is pathology of the musculoskeletal system. These can be injuries of bones, joints, ligaments, congenital and acquired diseases of the spine, such as scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, as well as structural changes in bone and cartilage tissues (osteoarthritis).

If you are worried about severe pain in your back, in the ribs, not related to diseases of the internal organs, make an appointment with a neurologist or orthopedic traumatologist at the Temed Clinic.

Make an appointment with a neurologist

Appointment lasts 60 minutes, includes diagnostics, analysis of your MRI and preparation of a treatment plan, takes place both in person and online.

How the diagnosis is made

If you have back pain, you need to go through the diagnosis, it includes several stages: 02 A specialist can diagnose a number of pathological processes already at the stage collection of anamnesis and complaints, as well as a visual examination of the patient.

To determine the causes of back pain, an MRI study is suitable, which allows you to clearly identify pathological changes in muscles, nerves, examine the state of cartilage tissue, see hernias, protrusions, and degenerative changes. With this method, there is no x-ray radiation.

X-ray computed tomography (X-ray computed tomography) and classical X-ray diagnostics allow to detect changes in the bone tissue: fractures, dislocations, deformities. The method is also used to diagnose diseases of the chest organs, mainly the lungs.

Ultrasound is suitable for examining internal organs, blood vessels and soft tissues. The method is completely harmless and safe, suitable even for pregnant women and children.

Methods of treatment

Depending on the cause of pain in the back and ribs, the doctor selects an effective method of treatment. Diseases of the internal organs are treated both conservatively and operatively. In the case of pathology of the spine and joints, treatment in most cases is conservative. At the same time, an integrated approach is very important: treatment with medicines, physiotherapy procedures, a complex of therapeutic gymnastic exercises.

The founders of the Temed Clinic have developed a unique method of non-surgical treatment of spinal hernia, which is based on enhancing metabolic processes in the affected area. Patients undergo a set of procedures:

• laser therapy — laser radiation accelerates the recovery of affected tissues;

• shock wave therapy – low frequency acoustic waves improve nutrition and metabolism in damaged tissues;

• manual therapy — reduces pain, improves spinal mobility, eliminates stiffness of movements;

• acupuncture — is aimed at stimulating certain biologically active points from which nerves pass to the damaged area, this accelerates metabolic processes in tissues and promotes recovery;

• dry needle method , in which a long and thin needle is inserted deep into muscle trigger points, causing pain relief.

In addition, the doctor prescribes medication, it is selected individually for each patient. It is often recommended to perform a set of special exercises – therapeutic exercises.

An important advantage of the technique is its simplicity, safety and painlessness. Treatment can be done on an outpatient basis. Procedures take from 25 to 50 minutes a day.

Consequences

If you experience back pain of any localization, immediately seek advice from a specialist. With proper treatment in the early stages of the disease, various complications can be avoided.

For example, advanced inflammatory and degenerative processes of the spine are more difficult to treat conservatively. Sometimes only surgery helps.

Sign up for a consultation at the Temed Clinic to identify the disease at an early stage. Here you will find qualified specialists and modern methods of non-surgical treatment of the spine and joints, helping to get rid of pain and return to an active life.

Prevention

Prevention of back pain is an important step towards health. The main cause of discomfort in the back and chest is physical inactivity. Experts recommend that everyone who cares about their health lead an active lifestyle, walk more in the fresh air and do gymnastics regularly.

Often pain in the spine and ribs occurs in overweight people. Extra pounds give an additional load on the spine and joints, accelerate the destructive processes in the tissues. Therefore, it is very important0234 eat right and control your weight .

An important aspect of preventing back and rib pain is the right place to sleep . Experts recommend choosing a high-quality and comfortable orthopedic mattress and pillow.

If you have to sit a lot during the working day, it is important to use ergonomic office furniture, make your workplace comfortable and take short breaks to warm up every hour.