Expert: Robert A. Arnone, DC - 7/21/2011

Question
I am a healthy 21 year old female, 110 lb., 5’3”. Exactly a month ago I did some heavy breathing exercises expanding my rib cage. After 10 minutes I felt a weird sensation at the side of my ribs. The next day it only hurt dead center of my ribs when I breathed in to full capacity.
Two days later I went to the ED and was diagnosed with Costochondritis. I never initially had chest pain, only nerve and muscle spasms going up and down my neck and arms, which I believed was a heart attack. Upon discharge I was told it was Costochondritis, inflammation of the chest wall cartilage and to take 600mg every 6 hours of Ibuprofen to take the inflammation down and it should take a week or two to disappear. It’s now been a full month and I started having chest pains yesterday because I pushed myself too hard the other day thinking my Costochondritis had healed due to never experiencing chest pains.  
I’ve done as much research on the issue as possible. Many people are frustrated with this condition because they are at the mercy of healing cartilage- which can take an extensive amount of time to heal and is blown off by doctors as something Ibuprofen can heal. It is incredibly painful. Some people have had it for years after being told exactly what I was told by my doctor, “a few weeks of Ibuprofen.” Doctors have no idea what to do. Web sites say different things also. This is an issue that doesn’t get the attention it needs because it is not life threatening.
I haven’t been to work in a month, or anywhere for that matter. I cannot be with friends because it hurts-I’ve literally been alone for a month. I am also taking a semester off to help with the pain and stress to hopefully promote healing. I can’t laugh, talk, or move. It also hurts to breathe. I have been taking complete rest and short light walks. Heat made it difficult to breathe and hurt and ice made it hurt also. This is beginning to have an emotional and mental effect on me because of what it is doing to my life.
Chiropractors would have more insight about this condition than doctors, because cartilage and the skeletal system is the issue. I am also curious about Glucosamine/MSM/Chondroitin supplements- something that sounds the closest to aiding in healing cartilage.
I am looking for Healing, not to cover up the pain. Especially not with medicine that can reek havoc internally.  
There must be SOMETHING that can be done to heal Costochondritis.   
I am open to any ideas or suggestions you may have about healing rib cartilage. I am not about to accept this condition in my life and live with it.

Thank you for any advisement you may have,
Michaela

Answer
Michaela,
First of all, you need to understand that soft tissue takes a minimum of 90 days to heal properly.  Regardless of how you feel, you need to set a timeline of 90 days.  Next, did they take any pictures at the hospital? Any definitive evidence that the rib insertion is inflamed? Any images can be sent to my email at DrArnone@Live.com
The other thing is have you yet been to a chiropractor in your area?  A General Chiro or a specialist?
Is there anything that makes you feel better? Worse?
Yours in Best Health,
Dr Arnone
St Louis, MO