Client Success Story: Costochondritis Case Study

What is costochondritis?

Costochondritis is a medical condition characterized by chest pain near the sternum, stemming from inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs connect to the breastbone. One of the tricky aspects of this condition is that it doesn't have a specific cause, it’s unknown how patients develop this condition or how to prevent it. 

Patients with this condition often experience persistent, bothersome pain in the middle of the chest and lower sternum, which may sometimes radiate toward the stomach or ribs. Diagnosing costochondritis is not always straightforward as it doesn't typically appear on X-rays, but inflammation may be visible on an MRI. Symptoms can include chest pain and difficulty breathing, and the pain may manifest as sharp, achy, burning, weak, or stiff.

Profile of Patient: 

A 47-year-old woman in great physical shape, who leads a healthy lifestyle and has never smoked, has been struggling with costochondritis for the past five years.

What symptoms did the patient experience? 

The patient has been dealing with intermittent chest pain and difficulty breathing for the past five years, rating her pain as an 8 out of 10. She described the pain as sharp, achy, and burning and reported experiencing weakness and stiffness. Before seeking treatment at Team Elite Chiropractic, she had already explored various options, including consulting another chiropractor, undergoing physical therapy, acupuncture treatments, massage therapy, and visiting a medical doctor, but unfortunately, nothing offered long-lasting relief.

What was the treatment plan?

Following our initial assessment, we confirmed costochondritis and formulated a treatment plan. Our approach included laser therapy targeting the chest area, including the sternum, cartilage, and ribs. We utilized massage cupping on the lower sternum and upper stomach to alleviate fascia tightness. Cupping and scraping techniques were also applied to the thoracic spine and ribs to address stiffness and limited movement. 

We performed adjustments and soft tissue work on the thoracic spine and neck muscles as well and stretched out the pectoral muscles to address shoulder tightness. Lastly, Active Release Technique was used for pectoral muscle release, and we prescribed at-home exercises. These exercises involved using double tennis balls for thoracic mobility improvement and specific movements like cat-cow stretches, thread-the-needle exercises, and typical doorway stretches to mobilize the thoracic spine and rib cage.

What were the results?

The patient showed remarkable improvement in just 3 weeks. We saw the patient twice weekly for three weeks; by the 5th visit, she was completely pain-free for the first time in 5 years. The patient experienced an enhanced range of motion and successfully practiced yoga for the first time in years. 

The decision to pursue an aggressive treatment frequency, especially with laser therapy, played a crucial role in the positive outcome. Adhering to the treatment plan and being proactive with the frequency of visits has led to substantial improvements in the patient's condition.

If you are experiencing symptoms of costochondritis, book your appointment with Team Elite Chiropractic today! 

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