Costochondritis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum). This inflammation often leads to sharp, aching pain in the chest that can be mistaken for a heart attack. While costochondritis technically only affects the ribcage, its connection to your spine can be significant. Understanding the root cause of your pain is part of the goal for Billings chiropractors, and the answer is often found in your spine.
What Is Costochondritis?
Costochondritis occurs when the cartilage connecting your ribs to your sternum becomes inflamed. This can cause sharp or dull chest pain, often on the left side, and can be triggered by movement, deep breaths, or certain physical activities. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, it’s often linked to repetitive strain, trauma to the chest, infections, or even postural imbalances.
Although the pain is located in the chest, the condition can also affect your back and shoulders due to the complex interactions between your ribs, spine, and surrounding muscles. Poor posture, spinal misalignment, or chronic tension in the back can put additional strain on the rib joints, potentially contributing to the development or worsening of costochondritis.
The Spine and Rib Cage: How They’re Connected
Your spine plays a crucial role in supporting and stabilizing your ribcage. The thoracic spine, located in the middle of your back, connects directly to your ribs and helps protect vital organs like your heart and lungs. When your spine is properly aligned, your ribs can move freely and function as intended. However, if spinal misalignments (also called subluxations) occur in the thoracic region, they can cause an imbalance in the way your ribs move, leading to additional strain on the cartilage.
Spinal misalignment can also increase muscle tension in the back, neck, and chest, potentially making the pain of costochondritis more intense. Poor posture, such as slouching while sitting or standing, can exacerbate this issue by putting unnecessary pressure on the ribs and spine. This is why people with desk jobs or those who spend long hours in sedentary positions are more prone to developing costochondritis symptoms.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
At Bare Chiropractic, we focus on improving spinal health to address pain and discomfort at its source. While chiropractic care doesn’t directly treat costochondritis, it can be highly effective in alleviating associated pain and other related issues, such as spinal misalignments, poor posture, and muscle tension—all of which can contribute to the condition.
By realigning the spine, particularly in the thoracic region, chiropractic adjustments can reduce pressure on the rib joints and help the body function more smoothly. This may ease the strain on the inflamed cartilage and reduce overall discomfort.
Chiropractic care can also help improve your posture by ensuring proper spinal alignment, making it easier to sit, stand, and move without placing extra stress on your ribs and chest.
Find Relief at Bare Chiropractic
If you’re experiencing non-cardiac chest pain or discomfort from costochondritis, addressing the health of your spine is an important step toward relief. Contact us today at Bare Chiropractic to schedule a consultation and find out how chiropractic care may help you manage the symptoms of costochondritis and improve your overall health.
