Costochondritis is a pain condition caused when the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum becomes inflamed, leading to chest pain that often mimics heartache and can be very unsettling. Unfortunately, 10% of emergency room visits that involve chest pain involve costochondritis. Fortunately, most often its cause does not correspond with serious health concerns and it usually resolves within several days with conservative treatments.
Symptoms and Manifestation
Costochondritis can manifest in tenderness around the breastbone and rib cage that increases with movement, or can even feel like tightening of one side of the chest when at rest. Symptoms can be similar to tightening of chest tissue or someone pressing constantly on one or both rib cages, causing pain that persists even while at rest. The pain ranges from mild to severe depending on which side is affected; it typically manifests on either one or both sides. In rare instances, it can feel like tightening of both sides due to costochondritis symptoms, usually experienced when at rest or worsened by movement or physical activity.
Causes and Risk Factors
Stress, trauma, and infections are believed to be major contributing factors. No specific person is more prone than another to this kind of pain; however, it tends to affect younger people more commonly, especially women and children. Furthermore, chronic (long-term) pain syndromes like fibromyalgia make this more prevalent, but anyone can develop this syndrome at any point in time.
Diagnosis and Importance of Medical Evaluation
These symptoms may be very alarming and lead one to believe they are suffering a heart attack or another serious medical issue, so it is vitally important for individuals experiencing chest pain to get evaluated by healthcare providers as soon as possible. They will examine the patient, palpate their chest wall, and perform various tests (EKG, Chest X-Ray, etc.) in order to rule out other issues.
Acupuncture as a Treatment Option
Acupuncture can be an extremely effective treatment option for costochondritis and chest pain in general. By targeting the source—such as inflammation or muscle weakness—acupuncture needles inserted by an experienced acupuncturist stimulate the release of natural pain-relieving hormones such as endorphins. This increases blood flow to the area and provides it with healing cells that support its treatment.
Mechanisms of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has also been shown to balance brain chemistry and decrease the production of chemicals called cytokines, which are associated with inflammation. This means acupuncture does not only address pain symptoms; it helps heal inflammation and restore functionality in affected ribs and chest walls. NICE guidelines recommend it as part of a pain management regimen alongside exercise programs and CBT, rather than analgesic medications.
Evidence and Recommendations
Three pediatric patients with costochondritis who received acupuncture reported improvements in symptoms; the authors encourage further investigation of its efficacy for costochondritis cases.
Acupuncture and Wellness at the Swiss Acupuncture Clinic
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art involving the insertion of thin needles through the skin at strategic points on the body. Practitioners believe these points act as energy channels carrying life force (chi or qi, pronounced “chee”) along pathways called meridians. When needles are placed at these spots, practitioners believe the flow of chi is restored, relieving pain and other symptoms. Acupuncture has long been used in Western medicine for back and neck pain relief, osteoarthritis pain relief, headaches, as well as overall wellness promotion and stress reduction.
Safety and Side Effects
Studies have consistently demonstrated the safety and relaxing qualities of acupuncture for most individuals, though some patients may experience slight discomfort during treatments. The most commonly reported side effects are slight pressure, heaviness, or warmth at the needle site; some individuals report feeling an electrical shock sensation when touching the needle. Treatments typically last 30-60 minutes with various methods such as manual stimulation using twisting and sliding movements, heat application, or passing a low-intensity electric current over the needle point to stimulate points on the needle.
Licensing and Insurance
In the United States, most acupuncturists are licensed by state health departments and work either in hospitals or private practices. Insurance policies generally cover some conditions related to chronic low back pain for which acupuncture may provide benefits.
Clinical Trials and Research
Controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for various illnesses, with evidence of improved outcomes such as decreased pain and increased function for those living with certain conditions. Yet there remains some debate as to its exact mechanisms and appropriate clinical applications. Researchers continue to conduct studies into the effectiveness of acupuncture on various illnesses and its combination with other forms of therapy, such as transcranial direct current stimulation for migraine headaches. Research shows that such combinations provide improved pain relief.
Conclusion
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recommends discussing any dietary supplements, herbs, or other complementary health approaches with your healthcare provider before beginning them. For more information, please visit the NCCIH Credentialing Licensing Education site. Mayo Clinic physicians and nurses reviewed this article. This activity has been accredited for one AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit proportionate to their level of expertise in each topic area. This program has been reviewed and accredited by the American Academy of Family Physicians. This activity has been designed to meet the needs of family physicians, primary care providers, and other healthcare professionals looking to increase their knowledge about acupuncture for treating costochondritis ,chronic diseases and disorders related to musculoskeletal systems. This activity is presented with support from the American College of Acupuncturists, an organization accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Medicine and Surgery (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.
