Costochondritis- Stress, Anxiety, and Fear

If you're new to Costo and wondering if emotional stress, fear, anxiety, tension, worry, apprehension, or being nervous can cause an increase of pain in your costochondritis, you are spot on. You are not crazy or mental. =) You just have a cruddy condition called Costochondritis...which in turn can make you mental. lol.

I wish during the 2 years when I didn't know my diagnoses, someone would have not only diagnosed me, but told me how painful, yet non fatal this condition is.

Here's the cycle: constant pain in your chest....then Stress hits, Pain in the Chest doubles where the heart is, Trouble Breathing, Panic, THEN More Stress, More Intense Pain, More trouble breathing, More Panic...and the cycle goes on and on until it elevates and you end up in the emergency room. Most of us have been there multiple times and can attest to this traumatic cycle that can run your life into the ground.

These cycles can cause panic attacks, depression, and a lot of doubt about your health and sound mind.

Why does stress induce more pain with costochondritis?

When your body thinks it's in danger (real or imaginary), it begins to spring into action. It prepares the body to respond to the danger and protect you. So when you began to get stressed about anything in your daily life, these are just a few of the things that occur:

• Your body begans to brace itself in preparation for defending you

• Muscle tension increases to prepare for action
  

• Breathing gets shallow and faster to supply more oxygen to the muscles and body tissue

• Heart rate increases and heart increases its strength of contraction to pump more blood

So if you are stressed, your body begins to prepare to fight...everything gets tense, ready for battle. And since we know that bracing from lifting precious kiddos, talking, lifting weights, or singing can cause pain. Stress is in the same boat.

Stress = bracing = More Pain in Costochondritis.

So What do I do about it? My life is crazy, I can't cut down on stress!

I'm not going to tell you what to do. You have to make your own decisions. I personally have really stepped out of my professional and personal life this year. It's been extremely challenging and honestly- sad. But I'm dedicating this year to doing everything I can to heal. This means reducing stress in every way. As much of it as I can. My hubby supports me fully. So my life revolves around preventing my body from bracing in any way.

So take some time to really contemplate what you can do in your own life to reduce the stress induced cycle. Big or Small. It will help. Also, adding in skilled relaxation is a great tool. You can check out more about it HERE.

So when you start the cycle of stress, pain, difficulty breathing, panic....stop yourself. Don't give your control over to the panic. Tell yourself that you have Costo. Tell yourself that you are okay. Tell yourself that's it's inflammation. Tell yourself that you are safe. You have to find that trigger that calms you down. It's a must with this condition. My trigger is simply, "You are just inflammation." Sounds corny, but it's what I use. Then I place my hand where it hurts the most to calm myself down, and go through my body and relax each and every muscle while listening to music that relaxes me.

It's time to stop the cycle. I pray as you read this, you will find a way to reduce the stress in your life. It took me being in so much pain, I couldn't even smile when my hubby walked through the door just to tell me how much he loved me. This condition has seeped into every aspect of my life. And I know it's done the same to you. And for that, may I say I am so sorry. I am so sorry.

I use to think I was indivisible to stress. It never really bothered me. I know now that was a load of stinky horse manure. We can't change where we've been, but we can contribute to where we're going....

To panic, or not to panic....that is the question.

Costochondritis- Healing Naturally

I believe there is a place for both eastern and western medicine in our lives. I'm thankful for both. The following are the natural remedies I've tried...remember to you use your own best judgment with your doctor! Here we go!

Last Updated: January 19,2010

I've graded them from 1-10 from my own experience.

1 = Didn't work at ALL for me
10 = A total gift of healing, it works great!!
# = Haven't tried it yet
@= Trying it now, the jury is still out

• (4) Apple Cider Vinegar and honey- Been on it a week, and will stay on it. Helps with inflammation. CLICK HERE for more information on it.
  
• (5) Skilled Relaxation: Some people have really raved about it. It's your call. You can read more about it HERE. I just started doing this 2X a day for 20 minutes each time (on day 6 of it) and can tell a difference in my pain. I would definitely put it in your routine 2X a day for a month before you dismiss this remedy. It's the cheapest and easiest to do!
  
• (5) Aerobic Exercise- I'm trying it now...check out my post on it.
  
• (@) Serrapeptase - This is an enzyme that eats inflammation. I have been told by other Costo sufferers that this healed them...so I'm on week one of it.
• (4) The Sauna - I'm trying it now, check out my post on it, good stuff.
  
• (4) DMSO Cream- This cream starts to work about 30 min after application. I really was impressed by it...however after a few months, it bleached my skin. Eek!
• (@) Noni Juice- I haven't tried it. Let me know if you do.
  
• (@) Colon, Liver, and Parasite Cleanse- I've heard from a few people with Costo that after round 1 of a cleanse, they started to feel better b/c it addressed the inflammation in other parts of the body- possible the origin of the inflammation. I'm trying out this process right now...
  
• (1) Physical Therapy - I personally found that PT was more painful for me (used 3 different PT's over a year and half). However, I do believe there are some very talented therapists out there who may be knowledgeable and wonderful with this condition. I may try it again with someone new after the pain subsides.
  
• (5) Light Stretching- It's natural to want to curl up in a ball when the pain gets worse. But light stretching is really important. Don't allow that rib cage to become concave. Really keep the posture up. Lightly stretching the entire body after a light walk is really important. The best stretch I have is standing in a door way, putting my hands on either side of the door way and stepping through the door to stretch the rib cage. First do the exercise with your hands up really high. Next, do the exercise with your hands at shoulder length. And relax and breathe as you do it.
  
• (3) Fish Oil - I think fish oil is great for a light case of Costo and helps reduce inflammation, a great addition to your daily nutrition. Good stuff.
• (@) Rolfing- I haven't tried this...let me know if you do. From what I understand, it can provide temporary relief.
• (4) Alexander Technique- This is a relaxation technique that seems to be a great tool. The more you can relax the rib cage, the better.
  
• (3) Getting lots of sleep so your body can recover is very important...here are some tips.
  
• (1) Exercise and weight lifting- It's different for everyone. Some people hurt worse if they are inactive....being a sitting position for long periods of time, like driving, can increase the pain. For me...I can't sit for long periods of time. However, I can't do any exercise besides a walk. No lifting at all. Anything more strenuous increases my pain. However, an hour walk daily helps me physically and emotionally. I used to exercise harder and was like "it's never going to go away, so I might as well be fit." Now, I believe that wasn't a smart choice at ALL! Now I'm committed to doing whatever it takes to get well....time to listen to our bodies.
  
• (@) Maintaining...so this is a regimen a very kind woman shared with us. She was healed from Costo and is maintaining her healing....check out her story...
• (@) Japanese Acupuncture- Heard this has been a great deal of help for some people, but not long lasting.
• (#) Acupuncture - I have not had it on my ribs, but I did 3 months on my back and saw no difference, I will try on my ribs in the near future. I have heard mixed reviews. Many people have said it helped, but when they stopped, it got worse again. Others say it's a great tool to healing.
• (0) Prolotherapy- For me, lost and lot of shots with no help. Prolotherapy may be good for some other conditions...but for me, no way, no how.
  
• (6) Rest and Reduce Stress- Okay, so here's the deal. We all have lives that are trucking along and while rest may seem like an impossible feat. It's very important. Now, I'm not saying you should lay on a couch all day and not move. But if what you're doing is irritating your ribs, stop doing it! Make a list of all the things, big and small, that stress you out or increase the pain...and pick several to cut out of your life for a while. I personally am not talking on the phone right now. Talking really irritates my Costo. When I'm on the phone or talk for over 15 minutes, the pain increases...so I talk to everyone via e-mail. It was really hard at first, but remember that everyone wants you to heal and is rooting for you!!! Explain it to everyone and stick to your guns. They love you and will support you! They want you back! You'll also find this takes stress out of your life. Stress is a HUGE instigator, increasing the Costo pain. I think this has to do with "bracing" when you get stressed, thus increasing inflammation.
  
• (3) Heating Pads and Ice - Ice takes the edge off for me. Heat works for others. I found putting a heating pad on my back and ice on my ribs both helped with inflammation and relaxing.
• (1) Compression like a corset- This doesn't work for me b/c pressure causes me pain, but for some sufferers, it helps when they wrap the area.
• (5) Controlling your diet - Eating a diet that lowers inflammation and decreases acid reflux can really help. This is important in keeping the pain down. When I eat large amounts of fried foods, my pain increases. If you keep a journal...you'll figure out what foods really trigger it for you. If I stay vegan, I feel the best.
  
• (2) Vitamins: magnesium twice per day and B12. Magnesium - 250mg each time for a total of 500 per day. The B12 is only once per day at 500mcg. This has helped some sufferers. I do recommend that you talk to your doctor and take what every viatims/mineral you both decide on. It's important that while having this condition, you stay as healthy as possible. I currently take Vitamins, Minerals, Calcium, and Acai Berry daily.
• (#) Gastron Technique- Check out my post in September for details.
  
• (@) Reiki Therapy- I've never tried it, read a testimony that it helped a sufferer.
• (7) Medical Massage Therapist- This is been the biggest help for me, personally. After seeing over 70 doctors including ER visits, the pain had spread to my shoulder and back, I began seeing a message therapist at my PT's office. She finally convinced me, after only messages on my back, to let her work on my ribs. She had suffered from Costo herself and had been healed quickly through message. I was skeptical, but let her try. The first month was really tough, as you all know...she would touch my ribs and I would just about scream in pain. She has been VERY patient with me...so I'm three months down the road and my pain has gone from stabbing attacks (7/8) on a pain scale to a burning, gnawing ,around the clock, 4/5 on the pain scale. She is very confident in this therapy, we shall see. I will keep yall posted. I am so thankful for her! And I finally feel hopeful again for the first time in a long time.
  
• (0) Chiropractor- Okay, for some Costo sufferers, this has really helped them out, which is wondeful!! I tried 3 different Chiropractors and was way worse off when I left.
• (#) Trigger Point Therapy...I haven't tried it, but I'm looking into it.
  
• (6) Kinesio Tape - This tape has been a huge blessing. For all the women out there with costo, you know that wearing a bra is a thing of the past. So I order this tape and literally tape my breasts up. Sounds silly, but the weight of the breasts cause more pain, especially in movement. Try lifting up your breasts and see if you can breathe better...if you can, purchase a roll of this skin friendly tape and try it out. It really helps me get through the day. I cut a piece of tape about 6 inches long and cut the corners (it stays on there longer) and vertically put the tape below the ni*** and lift up the breast and place the tape high above the ni***. Tip...put a small piece of cotton on the ni*** to avoid irritation. Also, take the tape off at night to give your skin a breather. It may not be as helpful for those with a large chest.
• If you have something to add that has helped you out, let me know! Thanks everyone!
  
• And Please vote on the poll!