Musculoskeletal Chest Pain

Musculoskeletal chest pain is a common problem and this type of pain is generally caused by the muscles and cartilage of the rib cage or the ribs.

Many people find themselves dealing with chest pain and they immediately think that there is a problem occurring with their heart. While it is always a good choice to have any chest pain checked out quickly, not all chest pain is caused by a heart problem.

In fact, Pressure or exertion in the area can make musculoskeletal chest pain worse. Here is a closer look at this type of pain and the variety of things that can cause it to occur.

Common Causes

You'll find that there are many things that can cause musculoskeletal chest pain to occur. Here are just a few of them to consider if you are dealing with this type of pain.

-Costochondritis - This condition occurs when the bones and cartilage in the chest and rib area become inflamed. This can cause a lot of pain in the chest.

- Injury - Injuries can occur that may cause chest pain that is musculoskeletal. Often this injury occurs because of a lot of coughing. A trauma to the chest area can cause this type of pain to occur as well.

- Fibromyalgia - This condition includes chronic body pain and at times may include pain in the chest as well.

- Pleurisy - Pleurisy can cause chest pain to occur, and when this is the problem, usually the pain gets worse when a person breathes in. In some cases muscle strain can give a similar pain when inspiration occurs.

-Tietze Syndrome - When there is inflammation in the cartilage of the ribs, this can cause musculoskeletal pain. Often the 2nd rib is the one that is affected by this problem.

-Other Problems - There are a variety of other problems that can cause this type of chest pain as well. Problems like sternalis syndrome, lower rib pain syndromes, sternocostoclavicular hypertosis, and xiphoidalgia can also lead to this pain, which is different than pain associated with a cardiac problem.

musculoskeletal chest pain Symptoms

There are several symptoms that may occur with musculoskeletal pain. Usually there is a burning, aching, squeezing, or tightness felt in the chest area. Some have likened this pain to that of indigestion.

In many cases the pain only lasts a short while, but some of the causes of this type of pain can lead to prolonged pain in the chest area. Pain that includes pain into the left arm is usually related to the heart and not a musculoskeletal problem.

The treatment for your musculoskeletal chest pain will vary, depending on the exact cause. In many cases, only rest can provide relief, while in other cases the prescription of Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs can be helpful. Some doctors may prescribe pain medication for the pain as well. However, chest pain is not something to be taken likely.

If you have chest pain and you are not sure what is causing it, get it checked out to ensure you are not having a cardiac incident.

Go to Cause of Chest pain from Musculoskeletal Chest Pain