dbac,
Good Morning, this is Kitt.
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.
Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause. In these cases, treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for costochondritis to resolve on its own. Costochondritis causes pain and tenderness in the locations where your ribs attach to your breastbone (costosternal joints). Often the pain is sharp, though it can also feel like a dull, gnawing pain. Pain associated with costochondritis occurs most often on the left side of your breastbone, though it can occur on either side of your chest.
The pain usually lasts a week or two and then resolves.
To ease your pain until it fades, your doctor may recommend:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve)
- Antidepressants, specifically a category of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants, if pain is making it difficult to sleep at night
- Muscle relaxants, which can also help ease pain
To help relieve the pain of costochondritis, try to:
- Rest. Avoid activities that make your pain worse.
- Exercise. It may seem contradictory to rest, but gentle exercises, such as walking or swimming, can improve your mood and keep your body healthy. Don't overdo it, and stop if exercise increases your pain.
- Use a heating pad. Apply a heating pad to the painful area several times a day. Keep the heat setting on low. Reference: Mayo Clinic Health Reference
You may want to consider the PT as an alternative if you have it ordered by your physician.
Take care and hope this help you in some way.
Kitt