Expert: Dr. Nekessa Remy - 4/10/2010

Question
yrs ago i had a friend pick me up and hug me and this sent me to the moon in such pain. i heard a pop and felt like i had a broken rib. pain so bad went to emergency room but no broken ribs. throughout the yrs any time i put pressure on my chest or just push or pull too hard which is not too hard at all it pops and sends me to the moon again. after yrs of emergency room visits and chest xrays until this yr i was diagnosed with costochondritis. being a doctor iwould think i would end up with something better motrin 400 mg lol. i do believe this was caused from injuries from a fatal car accident. i have read alot about this happening on the left side of the chest but mine has always been on the right side and towards my side. then one day i leaned over my table to open a window  my chest barely pressed up against my table  and it injured the middle this time .and then i injured the back left side which was the worse pain i ever had. cant keep missing work from this. NEVER GIVEN ANY GOOD PAIN MED TO STOP PAIN.  can u give me any causes besides injuries ?also info on treatment of any kind. i do ice,ice,ice. heat always worked but this last time heat made it throb so i changed to ice and much better. this always takes two weeks to heal PLEASE HELP. I read something about something in your heart dying tht causess this . is this true. thank u for ur time. have a blessed day
p.s. what kind of dr. do i go to for this . never was able to afford de. always in emergency . ususally happened on weekend anyway dr. not open

Answer
Costochondritis is  inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone/sternum. It is usually caused by overuse injuries or by trauma (such as your car accident). I am not aware of any conditions involving a dying heart region which causes this condition. Please refer to a cardiologist if you suspect any heart abnormalities.  A chiropractor or physiotherapist might be able to help this condition with the use of laser therapy. Laser therapy is a non-invasive method of treating inflammation that my help your condition. It is not painful and the laser is able to encourage healing at a cellular level.  As for medications, I am not trained to prescribe medication, please refer to a medical doctor, or perhaps a naturopath may have some natural remedies that may be helpful. In terms of heat or ice, its all about what makes you better.

Hope this helps