Costochondroitis

[dashhound_91]

Does anyone have any experience, tips, or other resources for dealing with a (potential) client who has costochondroitis? She came to me asking if there was anything I could do if all those tests she was enduring turned out to indicate that her issue was muscular rather than heart or gastro-related. I've been doing some research online, and plan to do more, but I'd love some "real life" info from folks I trust to give me reliable info, if anyone has dealt with this before. Thanks.

 

[animation videos]

Costochondroitis

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[Bumblebee]

Costochondroitis

I had never even heard of this condition before - but strangely enough after looking it up - I think I've had something that sounded very much like it...

All mine really was is that one of the rib heads had sort of popped out & my chiropractor made a simple adjustment - which fixed the problem for me. Hope that's all that your client is really dealing with!

 

[Genesis]

Costochondroitis

Thanks, riversinger. I think I've had that before too. I remember back when I was nursing one of my kids, I was... um... "larger than normal", and I had started spending more time using the computer, so had a "double whammy" working against my costals, pecs, and all that good stuff. I remember telling him one day that I was having pains in my chest, worried about my heart. He told me to stretch, and when I did, it went away. Amazingly enough, huh? This was years before we got into massage therapy.

This particular lady was in the hospital for a couple of days for chest pains, went through the WHOLE rigmarole of testing for heart stuff that came out negative, then she came to me asking if we might be able to do anything about it. I looked at her posture, build, etc., asked her a few questions about when and how the pains hit, and told her what I should: "It's quite possible. What do the doctors say?" She said she was going back in for gastric testing- it hits her when she eats quite often. She said that if gastric issues were ruled out, then the doctors would be looking at a "it's something muscular" diagnosis. So I told her to let me know what those results turned out to be, and we'd talk about it then.

She came back Thursday with "costochondriitis" written down for me. I wasn't at the meeting we usually see her at yesterday, so didn't get to talk with her directly yet. I need to call her, but I wanted to see what I could find out about it first.

Honestly, it is beginning to sound like a "what they say when they don't know what it is" sort of deal. But the "big things" have been ruled out, so it appears that it is safe to work with her on it now. I kinda figured that's what it was- only didn't have a name for it- from the first time she mentioned it to me, LOL! But you know how it is- we have to wait until that "big stuff" gets ruled out before we can do much of anything. At least this lady now knows she has no heart or gastric issues!

 

[Boyba Power!]

Costochondroitis

I worked with a friend who had costocondroitis once, and she had pretty good results. She is also fairly receptive to bodywork, so, of course, I can't say much beyond my experience with one person.

Essentially, I just did a fair amount of work around the sternum and clavicle and pecs anterior, and between the ribs and opening up the sidewall posterior. Mostly fascial work- nice, slow opening of spaces between the ribs, and opening up the front of the body more.

There were various postural/tensional reasons for that particular work with this client, too, so I really don't know how much of my info will be useful for your situation, but maybe it will trigger some ideas for you?

 

[bearsma90]

Costochondroitis

I slipped and fell fwd onto a mop handle years ago. The pain took my breath but soon subsided and I carried on with life as usual. Until massage school... Started hurting like crazy and I had forgotten about the incident so was worried I had a cyst or bone spur or something. I had an old rib fracture that came to life by the use of upper body mechanics during massage. I was resigned to live with the pain but when Walt did MFR work on me 2 years ago, it helped it tremendously. Only time it hurts now is after I push too hard and I'll release it myself. Thanks Walt! Wish you lived closer. lol

 

[Arafat]

Costochondroitis

it hits her when she eats quite often

Okay - FWIW - after reading that one simple statement - now I'm wondering if she may have some border line digestion issues the tests aren't sensitive enough to reveal?
Perhaps colitis or diverticulitis ?

I know we can't diagnose - but you might want to just ask her if it's worse after eating certain foods, or perhaps it's more of a quantity type of thing...perhaps ask if her doctors might have suggested taking digestive enzymes or probiotics? At the very least it probably wouldn't hurt her to see someone who specializes in nutrition & or Gastro issues. I've had some problems in that area too & put myself on a course of Hot lemon water, with ginger & honey, with a tincture of Bitters, plus Intestional Calmpound (by Herbalist & Alchemist) probiotics & digestive enzymes - all of which pretty much cleared my issues, along with using Jin Shin Jyutsu to help support digestion too.

 

[Carolina K]

Costochondroitis

Rib cage issues often manifest in a wide variety of ways. In addition to specific rib pain (costochondritis), the list can include the following problems; swallowing, reflux/indigestion, respiratory diaphragm related disorders, including sympathetic/visceral reactions, and shoulder pain.

My case load has been heavy with rib cage related issues recently. They respond remarkable well with Myofascial Release. Moving beyond the basic technique learned in seminars into exploring the deeper aspects of the soft tissue/osseous regions can be very beneficial.

 

[Huckleberry Sin]

Costochondroitis

it hits her when she eats quite often

Okay - FWIW - after reading that one simple statement - now I'm wondering if she may have some border line digestion issues the tests aren't sensitive enough to reveal?
Perhaps colitis or diverticulitis ?

I know we can't diagnose - but you might want to just ask her if it's worse after eating certain foods, or perhaps it's more of a quantity type of thing...perhaps ask if her doctors might have suggested taking digestive enzymes or probiotics? At the very least it probably wouldn't hurt her to see someone who specializes in nutrition & or Gastro issues. I've had some problems in that area too & put myself on a course of Hot lemon water, with ginger & honey, with a tincture of Bitters, plus Intestional Calmpound (by Herbalist & Alchemist) probiotics & digestive enzymes - all of which pretty much cleared my issues, along with using Jin Shin Jyutsu to help support digestion too.

riversinger, she said the pain is in her chest, not her abdomen. Unless colitis/diverticulitis can refer to the chest too? (I ask sincerely, not facetiously).

I did ask if it was after particular foods, and her preliminary answer was "no". When/if she does decide to come see me, I will be able to do a more thorough questioning of her situation than we were able to discuss in the meeting setting.

I do know a nutritionist I can refer her to if necessary.

 

[Judas Rusty]

Costochondroitis

Rib cage issues often manifest in a wide variety of ways. In addition to specific rib pain (costochondritis), the list can include the following problems; swallowing, reflux/indigestion, respiratory diaphragm related disorders, including sympathetic/visceral reactions, and shoulder pain.

My case load has been heavy with rib cage related issues recently. They respond remarkable well with Myofascial Release. Moving beyond the basic technique learned in seminars into exploring the deeper aspects of the soft tissue/osseous regions can be very beneficial.

Walt, from observing her posture/body carriage even as briefly as I have so far, I am inclined to think that what you are describing is probably what is going on with her.

I have been practicing a little bit the MFR techniques in those Barnes videos we got from you. I need to watch all of them (haven't gotten that far yet)/over again. I have neither the $$ or the time to find a MFR class here'bouts just now.

Hubby is way more practiced in this sort of stuff then I, but this lady has said very specifically that if she gets bodywork from anyone, it will be me. I know that I can go to him for confirmation if I feel the need. For the record, I'm pretty sure he's worked on many folks with "costochondriotis", but we have never had a name for it, nor a client with a specific diagnosis of it. I think sometimes the "diagnosis" makes it scarier than "a client comes in with muscular pain in the chest". I think this is just my inexperience talking. I suppose this is just one more (possible) opportunity to practice the combination of "use what I know" with "follow my gut".

 

[gymnast]

Costochondroitis

Timedess
Oh yes - digestive issues & gas can both cause a "back up" of energy & pain into the chest/heart & lung region...Gallbladder problems can too. It can also make it difficult to take a full deep breath.

In Jin Shin Jyutsu & Shiatsu, when the problem area is at the hip or waistline region it creates an energetic block or dam - meaning the energy cannot descend. Therefore it creates a seforum.xxxnant pool behind it - which will often result in pain in the chest!

Once you open up the dam & encourage the "pool" to flow again the pain disappears!

 

[Christopher H]

Costochondroitis

Rib cage issues often manifest in a wide variety of ways. In addition to specific rib pain (costochondritis), the list can include the following problems; swallowing, reflux/indigestion, respiratory diaphragm related disorders, including sympathetic/visceral reactions, and shoulder pain.

My case load has been heavy with rib cage related issues recently. They respond remarkable well with Myofascial Release. Moving beyond the basic technique learned in seminars into exploring the deeper aspects of the soft tissue/osseous regions can be very beneficial.

Specifically: I was thinking about this case earlier this morning, as I was lying in my bed in that "I'm awake but not ready to get up" state. I started practicing some lift-and stretch techniques on my rib cage, and then working the sternum (ouch! I need work there too!). I was amazed at the difference I noticed with maybe 5 minutes of work. I think I can do this!

 

[Isis]

Costochondroitis

Timedess
Oh yes - digestive issues & gas can both cause a "back up" of energy & pain into the chest/heart & lung region...Gallbladder problems can too. It can also make it difficult to take a full deep breath.

In Jin Shin Jyutsu & Shiatsu, when the problem area is at the hip or waistline region it creates an energetic block or dam - meaning the energy cannot descend.
Therefore it creates a seforum.xxxnant pool behind it - which will often result in pain! Once you open up the dam & encourage the "pool" to flow once again the pain disappears!

That makes sense.

Well, now, if she does decide to come in, I will have a few different areas to explore. What a learning opportunity!

Thanks for all the help, folks. I'll come back and let y'all know what (if anything) ever comes of this.

 

[emmaloo]

Costochondroitis

Timedess,

It sounds like you've figured out how to start. Follow what you practiced on yourself and go from there

Let us know how things work out.

 

[Yamilea?]

Costochondroitis

Timedess,

It sounds like you've figured out how to start. Follow what you practiced on yourself and go from there

Let us know how things work out.

Yay! Thanks for the encouragement. :grin: