Pain in the chest

 Pain in the chest

Pain in the chest

Chest pain and chest pain can be frightening and painful. Chest pain can be due to less serious causes such as muscle dysfunction / myalgia, inflammation, nerve irritation in the back and the like - but can also be due to more serious problems such as heart disease and lung problems.



 

Some of them most common diagnoses is (thankfully) muscular dysfunction (so-called myalgias) in combination with joint restrictions (also known as facet joint locks) in the thoracic spine and the transition to the neck - especially the pectoralis, upper back and shoulder muscles are known to refer pain to the chest. Chest pain may also be due to referred pain from the shoulder joint. More serious diagnoses can be esophageal disease, heart failure, heart attack, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), stomach ulcer or pulmonary embolism. Chest pain should always be taken seriously.

 

Causes may be congestion, trauma, wear / Osteoarthrtitis, muscular failure loads (especially the thoracic spine, shoulder and neck muscles) and mechanical dysfunction in nearby joints (eg neck, thoracic spine or shoulder). Another common diagnosis is rib locking - which occurs when a cleft in the thoracic spine becomes very restrictive in the movement with associated muscle tension. This can cause very sharp pain that almost goes right through the back.

 

Chest pain is a disorder that affects a larger proportion of the population at some point in their lives - both old and young. It can be scary and often the thoughts can go straight to the fact that "it's the heart", it is of course a healthy reaction (in most cases) - but remember that fortunately there are less serious possibilities as well. If you have chest pain and a family history of heart problems, it is a good idea to get an examination from your GP to check that everything is fine.

 

Also read: 5 Exercises against Muscle Tensions in the Neck and Shoulder

Exercises against neck and shoulder muscle tension

 



What can I do even for muscle and joint pain?

1. General exercise, specific exercise, stretching and activity are recommended, but stay within the pain limit. Two walks a day of 20-40 minutes make good for the whole body and sore muscles.

2. Trigger point / massage balls we strongly recommend - they come in different sizes so you can hit well even on all parts of the body. There is no better self help than this! We recommend the following (click the image below) - which is a complete set of 5 trigger point / massage balls in different sizes:

trigger point balls

3. Training: Specific training with training tricks of various opponents (such as this complete set of 6 knits of different resistance) can help you train strength and function. Knit training often involves more specific training, which in turn can lead to more effective injury prevention and pain reduction.

4. Pain Relief - Cooling: Biofreeze is a natural product that can relieve pain by cooling the area gently. Cooling is especially recommended when the pain is very severe. When they have calmed down then heat treatment is recommended - it is therefore advisable to have both cooling and heating available.

5. Pain Relief - Heating: Warming up tight muscles can increase blood circulation and reduce pain. We recommend the following reusable hot / cold gasket (click here to read more about it) - which can be used both for cooling (can be frozen) and for heating (can be heated in the microwave).

 



Recommended products for pain relief for muscle and joint pain

Biofreeze spray-118Ml-300x300

Biofreeze (Cold / cryotherapy)

 

Where's the chest?

The chest is the area at the front of the upper body. The area is located above the abdomen, below the neck and within the shoulders. The chest is called thorax in English.

 

Also read:

- Complete overview of muscle knots and their reference pain pattern

- Pain in the muscles? This is why!

 

Chest anatomy

Chest Anatomy - Photo Wikimedia Commons

Here we see the important anatomical landmarks in the chest, along with organs, joint levels and arteries.

 

Textures around the chest

In the picture we especially notice the position of the heart, which is more central to the chest than many people think. We also see how the ribs (1-10 are fixed, 11-12 are free) form a protective armor that surrounds organs and important structures.

 

As we note from the pictures above, the body's anatomy is both complex and fantastic. This, in turn, means that we must focus holistically on why the pain occurred, only then can effective treatment be provided. It is also important to remember that it never does 'just muscular', there will always be a joint component, an error in movement pattern and behavior that also forms part of the problem. They only work together as a unit.

 



What is pain?

Pain is the body's way of saying that you have injured yourself or are about to hurt you. This is an indication that you are doing something wrong. Not listening to the body's pain signals is really asking for trouble, as this is its only way to communicate that something is wrong. This applies to pain and aches all over the body, not just back pain as so many people think. If you do not take the pain signals seriously, it can lead to long-term problems, and you risk the pain becoming chronic. Naturally, there is a difference between tenderness and pain - most of us can tell the difference between the two.

Treatment and specific training guidance by a musculoskeletal expert (physical therapist, chiropractor or manual therapist) is often advised to overcome the problem for a long time. The treatment will target and treat dysfunctions in the muscles and joints, which in turn will reduce the incidence of pain. When the pain is attenuated, it is necessary to weed out the cause of the problem - maybe you have a slightly bad posture that leads to some muscles and joints being overloaded? Unfavorable working position? Or maybe you do not perform the exercises in an ergonomically good way?

 

Cause of chest pain

There are a number of possible diagnoses of chest pain. The list is long.

 

Possible causes / diagnoses of chest pain are:

Acute heart failure

Angina

Osteoarthritis (the pain depends on which joints are affected)

Asthma

Autoimmune diseases

Bechterews (Ankylosing spondylitis)

Inflammation of the chest

Connective Tissue Disease

Soft tissue damage

Bronchitis

chest Infection

pancreatic Infection

Diabetic neuropathy (diabetes can cause nerve pain that can refer pain to various areas)

Fibromyalgia

gallbladder Inflammation

Herpes zoster (follows the nerve pathway it affects and produces a characteristic rash in the dermatome of that nerve)

Heart failure

Myocardial infarction

Heart valve Problems

Intercostal myosis (over tension / muscular dysfunction of the muscles between the ribs)

Chondritis (cartilage)

Joint locker / dysfunction in the neck, shoulder, thoracic spine or collarbone

Pneumonia

Pulmonary embolism

lung Collapse

Lung disease

Diaphragm irritation

Muscle tension in the chest

Myalgia / myosis of the chest muscles

Neuropathy (nerve damage may occur locally or further away)

panic attacks

Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart)

Pneumothorax (spontaneous lung collapse)

rheumatism

rib fracture

Rib joints (combined with active myalgia can cause pain all the way to the chest plate)

Scheuermann's disease (strikes early and gives a higher curve in the upper back and leads to lethargy)

Tendonitis

tendon Dysfunction

tendon Injury

Spinal stenosis (tight spinal cord conditions can cause chest irritation)

Stress

Acid reflux (esophageal disease / GERD)

tendinitis

Tendinosis

Tietz syndrome

Thoracic prolapse (nerve irritation / disc injury in the thoracic spine can cause referred pain all the way to the chest plate - thoracic prolapse is very rare)

 

Rare causes of chest pain:

bone cancer or any other cancer

gallbladder Disease

Infection (often with high CRP and fever)

Influenza (can cause pain in almost the entire body including the chest)

Cancer spread (metastasis)

splenic rupture

spinal Infection

spinal Cancer

Sarcoidosis

Thoracic fracture

Tuberkulosis (Tbc)

 



Make sure that you do not walk with chest pain for a long time, rather consult a clinician and diagnose the cause of the pain - this way you will make the necessary changes as early as possible before it has a chance to develop further.

What is a Chiropractor?

Common reported symptoms and pain presentations of chest pain:

Acute chest pain

Inflammation in the chest

Elimination in the chest

Burning in the chest

Deep pain in the chest

Electric shock in the chest

Hogging in the chest

Fucking in the chest

Knot i the chest

Cramps in the chest

Joint pain in the chest

Locked in the chest

Mooring i the chest

Murmuring in the chest

Muscle pain in the chest

Nervous pain in the chest

The name i the chest

Tendonitis in the chest

Shake in the chest

Leaning in the chest

Worn in the chest

Stitching in the chest

Steal in the chest

Wounds in the chest

Effect i the chest

Sore in the chest

 

Clinical signs of chest pain and chest painpain

Swelling can occur around a trauma or through an infection.

- Reduced movement in the thoracic spine on palpation.

- Pressure soreness in the thoracic spine may indicate defects in muscular or joint function.

 

How to prevent chest pain

- Live healthy and exercise regularly
- Seek well-being and avoid stress in everyday life - try to have a good sleep rhythm
- Training aimed at stability of the lower back, shoulder and neck
- chiropractor og manual therapists can both help you with joint and muscle ailments.

Pain in the pelvis? - Photo Wikimedia

 



 

Imaging examination of the breast

Sometimes it may be necessary imaging (X, MR, CT or diagnostic ultrasound) to determine the exact cause of the problem. Normally, you will manage without taking pictures of the breast - but this is relevant if there is a suspicion of injury, fracture or serious pathology. In certain cases, X-rays are also taken with the intention of checking the curvature of the back, then with a view to examining for scoliosis or Scheuermann's (sharply increased kyphosis). Below you see various pictures of what the breast looks like in the different forms of examination.

 

X-ray of the chest (from front, AP)

Chest image of the chest - front - Photo Wikimedia
- Description: X-ray of the chest, frontal angle (seen from the front), in the picture we see the vertebrae T1 - T12, 1st rib, collarbone (clavicus), esophagus, facet joint, 6th rib, T7 transverse (transverse process), intervertebral disc (T10). (thoracic vertebra).

Photo: Wikimedia / Wikifoundry

 

X-ray of the chest (from the side)

X-ray of the chest (thoracic columna) - Photo Wikimedia

- Description: X-ray of the chest, lateral angle (seen from the side), in the picture we see the vertebrae T1 - T12, the intervertebral disc (intervertebral disc), thoracic vertebra (thoracic vertebra), IVF (intervertebral foramen), the 12th rib and we also see the upper of the lumbar vertebrae L1) ..

Photo: Wikimedia / Wikifoundry

 

MRI of the chest (MR thoracic column)

Lumbar spine (thoracic columna) with prolapse in T6-7

- Description: MRI image of the chest, lateral angle (seen from the side), in the image we see the vertebrae T1 - T12 and associated structures, including the thoracic intervertebral discs. This MRI examination shows prolapse in T6-7 which puts pressure on the spinal cord / nerve root.

 

 

MRI of the thoracic spine - picture of Scheuermann's disease

MRI of Scheuermann's disease

- Description: MRI image of the thoracic spine, lateral angle (seen from the side). Here we see the characteristic increased curve (thoracic kyphosis) that occurs in Scheuermann's disease.

 

CT image of the chest (from frontal angle)

CT image of chest

Here we see a CT examination of the chest, taken from the front at a so-called anterior to posterior (AP) angle.

 

CT image of the chest (lateral, lateral)

CT image examination of the thorax (thoracic columna)

Here we see a CT examination of the chest, taken from the side at the so-called lateral angle.

 

Time classification of pain in the chest. Is your pain classified as acute, subacute or chronic?

Chest pain can be divided into acute (sudden), subacute og chronic (prolonged) pain. Acute chest pain means that the person has had chest pain for less than three weeks, subacute is the period from three weeks to three months and the pain that has a duration of more than three months is classified as chronic.

 



Clinically proven effect on relieving chest pain

Chiropractic traction bench therapy can provide symptom relief and functional improvement in spinal stenosis (Cox et al, 2012) which may be a cause of back pain. A systematic review study (meta-analysis) published in 2010 (Kalichman) found that dry needling can be effective in treating musculoskeletal pain problems.

 

Conservative treatment of chest pain

home Practice is often printed and used to address improper use of musculature, with the intention of providing a long-term, long-lasting effect.

Ultrasound can be used both diagnostically and as ultrasound therapy, the latter works by providing a deep-warming effect aimed at musculoskeletal problems.

Joint Mobilization or corrective chiropractic joint treatment increases the movement of the joints, which in turn allows the muscles that attach to and near the joints to move more freely. Chiropractic joint treatment is often combined with muscle work in the treatment of chest problems.

Stretching can be relieving for tight muscles - Photo Seton
Massage It is used to increase blood circulation in the area and thus reduce muscular tension, which in turn can cause less pain.

heat treatment used to give a deep-warming effect on the area in question, which in turn can give a pain-reducing effect - but it is generally said that heat treatment should not be applied to acute injuries, as is ice treatment, e.g. Biofreeze, to be preferred. The latter is used in acute injuries and pain to help alleviate the pain in the area.

Shockwave Therapy is effective against a variety of tendon injuries that can strike the tendons and muscle attachments.

laser treatment (also known as anti-inflammatory laser) can be used at different frequencies and thus achieve different treatment effects. It is often used to stimulate regeneration and soft tissue healing, plus it can also be used anti-inflammatory.

 

Manual treatment of chest pain

The main goal of all chiropractic care is to reduce pain, promote overall health and improve quality of life by restoring normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. In case of chest pain, the chiropractor will treat the breast locally to reduce pain, reduce irritation and increase blood supply, as well as restore normal movement in the neck, thoracic spine and shoulder. When choosing a treatment strategy for the individual patient, the chiropractor places emphasis on seeing the patient in a holistic context. If there is a suspicion that the chest pain is due to another disease, you will be referred for further examination. It may also be relevant Shockwave Therapy, needle treatment or other modalities.

 

The chiropractor treatment consists of a number of treatment methods where the chiropractor mainly uses his hands to restore normal function of the joints, muscles, connective tissue and nervous system:

- Specific joint treatment
- Stretches
- Muscular techniques
- Neurological techniques
- Stabilizing exercise
- Exercises, advice and guidance

 

Chiropractic treatment - Photo Wikimedia Commons

 

What does one do chiropractor?

Muscle, joint and nerve pain: These are things that a chiropractor can help prevent and treat. Chiropractic treatment is mainly about restoring movement and joint function that can be impaired by mechanical pain. This is done by so-called joint correction or manipulation techniques, as well as joint mobilization, stretching techniques, and muscular work (such as trigger point therapy and deep soft tissue work) on the involved muscles. With increased function and less pain, it may be easier for individuals to engage in physical activity, which in turn will have a positive effect on both energy, quality of life and health.

 



Exercises and training for chest pain

An expert in muscle and skeletal disorders can, based on your diagnosis, inform you about the ergonomic considerations you must take to prevent further damage, thus ensuring the fastest possible healing time. After the acute part of the pain is over, in most cases you will also be assigned home exercises that also help to reduce the chance of relapse. In chronic conditions it is necessary to go through the motor movements you do in everyday life, in order to weed out the cause of your pain occurring time and time again.

 

Relevant exercises and advice: - 5 good exercises for sore shoulders

Training with theraband

 

Women's advice against chest pain

We choose to bring some remedies against chest pain. We have also tried to understand the meaning behind them and thus put a little explanation in brackets. Do not take them too seriously, but remember that they have survived the tooth of time for a reason.

- Drink ginger tea (Ginger reduces muscle pain)
Rest in the sun (The sun provides the basis for vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased muscle pain)
- red bell pepper powder (Red bell pepper has among the very highest content of vitamin C - needed for soft tissue repair)
- Eat blueberries (Blueberries have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect)
- Eat onions and garlic (This one we're not sure about, but maybe again it's the focus on anti-inflammatory action?)

 

Also read: - Is it tendonitis or tendon INJURY?

Is it a tendon inflammation or tendon injury?

 

References:
  1. Cox et al (2012). Chiropractic management of a patient with lumbar spine pain due to synovial cyst: a case report. J Chiropr Med. 2012 Mar; 11 (1): 7–15.
  2. Kalichman et al (2010). Dry Needling in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain. J Am Board Fam MedSeptember-October 2010. (Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine)
  3. Images: Creative Commons 2.0, Wikimedia, WikiFoundy, Ultrasoundpaedia, LiveStrong

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Chest Pain:

 

Q: Cause of chest pain?

As mentioned, there are a number of possible causes and diagnoses of chest pain - the symptoms must be seen in full. However, among other things, referred pain from nearby muscle dysfunction or joint restrictions (in the thoracic spine, chest and shoulder) can cause pain in the chest. Among other things, rib locks are a fairly common cause of sudden pain in the front of the chest. Other possible causes are heart disease, lung disease and many other diagnoses. See list higher up in the article. If you elaborate on your concerns in the comments section below, we can do more to help you.

 

Q: Cause of chest pain across the back?

A common cause would be pain from the joints of the chest due to dysfunction with associated muscle tension, but such a presentation can in rare cases also be attributed to heart or lung disease.

 

Q: Cause of mid-chest along the esophagus?

Acid reflux and GERD (reflux disease) can be a cause of chest pain that goes like a tube up your throat.

 

Q: Can foam rolls help me with chest pain?

Yes, a foam roller / foam roller can help you in part with stiffness and myalgias, but if you have a problem with your chest, we recommend that you contact qualified health professionals in musculoskeletal disciplines and get a qualified treatment plan with associated specific exercises. Foam roller is often used against the thoracic spine to increase circulation in the area.

 

Q: Why do you get chest pain?
Pain is the body's way of saying that something is wrong. Thus, pain signals must be interpreted as meaning that there is a form of dysfunction in the area involved, which should be investigated and further remedied with proper treatment and exercise. Causes of chest pain can be due to sudden misload or gradual misload over time, which can lead to increased muscular tension, joint stiffness, nerve irritation and, if things have gone far enough, discogenic rash (nerve irritation / nerve pain due to disc disease in the middle part of the back.

 

Q: Man asks - what should be done with a sore chest full of muscle knots?

muscle knots have most likely occurred due to a misalignment of the muscles or a misalignment. There may also be associated muscle tension around joints in the nearby chest, ribs, neck and shoulder joints. Initially, you should get qualified treatment, and then get specific exercises and stretching so that it does not become a recurring problem later in life.

 

 

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Also read: - Muscle aches? This is why…

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