Tietze’s Syndrome is rare, but those who are familiar with it know this painful condition can significantly impact daily life. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the cartilage in the upper ribs and is known to mimic heart attack symptoms, which causes both discomfort and anxiety.
More traditional medical treatments will focus on managing the painful symptoms of Tietze’s, but care from a Billings chiropractor like Dr. Thomas Keogh offers a holistic approach that aims to address the root cause of the condition.
Understanding Tietze’s Syndrome
Tietze’s Syndrome is an inflammatory condition that affects the costal cartilages, especially the area where your upper ribs attach to the sternum. The primary symptom is localized pain and swelling, usually on just one side of the chest; this pain may be sharp or aching and can radiate to the shoulders, arms, and back. Often, this is confused for cardiac issues like a heart attack.
The exact cause of Tietze’s Syndrome is not fully understood, but it is often associated with physical strain, injury, or repetitive stress on the chest wall.
While the pain can be severe, it’s usually not life-threatening. However, the discomfort and anxiety it causes can greatly affect quality of life, especially for those who are worried it could be a heart attack or cardiac event, making it essential to find relief.
Is it Tietze’s Syndrome or Costochondritis?
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the sternum, causing chest pain without visible swelling. The key difference between costochondritis and Tietze’s Syndrome is that Tietze’s Syndrome involves noticeable swelling at the site of pain, whereas costochondritis does not. Additionally, Tietze’s Syndrome usually affects only one side of the chest.
How Chiropractic Care Can Offer Relief
Chiropractic care is a natural and non-invasive approach that can help manage the symptoms of Tietze’s Syndrome by focusing on the musculoskeletal system. At Bare Chiropractic, we treat the whole body as an interconnected system, and we know that issues in one area can affect other parts of the body.
The goal of our adjustments is to focus on spinal misalignments. When these occur in the thoracic region, correcting them often alleviates strain on the ribcage and reduces inflammation. This can lead to less pain and better mobility, allowing the body to heal more effectively.
Chiropractic care can also improve overall posture and reduce the likelihood of re-injury for those who suffer from Tietze’s Syndrome after physical strain or repetitive motion injuries.
Find Relief for Tietze’s Syndrome
At Bare Chiropractic, we provide a comprehensive care plan aimed at helping you find relief from Tietze’s Syndrome. Our goal is always to enhance your quality of life by supporting your body’s ability to heal naturally, without relying on medications that only mask the symptoms.
If you’re struggling with Tietze’s Syndrome, taking a holistic approach like the one at Bare Chiropractic could be your answer. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you manage Tietze’s Syndrome and achieve lasting relief. Your journey to better health starts here!
Sources
Gijsbers, E., Knaap, S.F.C. “Clinical presentation and chiropractic treatment of Tietze syndrome: A 34-year-old female with left-sided chest pain.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2011 Mar; 10(1): 60–63. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110396/
“Tietze Syndrome.” Cleveland Clinic, 26 Jul 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23565-tietze-syndrome
