Chest or Rib Pain? Causes and Solutions
Pain in your chest or ribs can be alarming, but it’s often caused by something simple and easily treatable. At Sundial Chiropractic Brighton, our chiropractors often see people with chest or rib pain related to muscle or joint problems. The first step is narrowing down what could be causing your discomfort in the first place.
Common Causes of Chest or Rib Pain
Rib Joint Dysfunction
The ribs are joined to the spine at the back and the chest bone at the front. Stiffness or locking of these joints can cause pain and is a common cause of pain in the mid back or chest. In fact, up to 30% of chest pain is actually a rib and muscle problem.
Rib joint problems can occur after reaching, pushing, or pulling, being in a twisted position or from a big cough or sneeze. Breathing in, moving or more coughing or sneezing can make the pain worse and often feels like a sharp pain just to the side of the spine and often a stabbing pain in the chest.
How Our Chiropractors Can Help
As experienced Brighton chiropractors, we often see this type of pain in our clinic and offer tailored treatments to help restore mobility and reduce discomfort quickly.
Treatment is simple mobilisation or adjustments of the stuck joints which our chiropractors carry out. We often use the Impulse iQ adjusting instrument to gently work the joints loose again.
A careful examination and diagnosis help make sure it is not caused by something else…
A pulled muscle or ‘intercostal muscle strain’?
This is also a common reason for rib pain. This is often caused by vigorous exercising, weightlifting, stretching or ‘sleeping funny’. This can result in a feeling of tightness when breathing in, twisting, coughing or reaching up. It may also feel sore when touched or slightly swollen. This can be very frustrating but thankfully the pain should only last a few days to a week. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to avoid heavy lifting and high-intensity exercise and soothe the affected area with an adhesive heat wrap. If you have trouble sleeping, cushion the sore area with a pillow.
This sort of muscle strain is diagnosed by pressing on the area between the ribs usually at the side or front of the ribcage. If it hurts, the rib muscles are probably strained.
How Our Sundial Brighton Team Can Help
If it is an intercostal muscle strain then it is a good idea to contact our physiotherapist, who will suggest exercises to strengthen the affected muscle. Our chiropractic team in Brighton works closely with our physiotherapists to support your recovery and prevent future flare-ups.
Costochondritis
Also known as Tietze’s Syndrome, is often mistakenly diagnosed when in fact, it is one of the problems above. If it is costochondritis, then it happens when the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breastbone becomes inflamed. It can cause sharp chest pain when moving or breathing and can result from an injury to your chest or from persistent coughing. Costochondritis usually goes away by itself but it can be helped with gentle exercise from our physiotherapist.
Anxiety
Stress and depression can cause chest pain, usually due to the heart working harder due to adrenaline and your body tensing up from a fight-or-flight response. Symptoms are very real and can range from a feeling of tightness, stabbing sensations to palpitations, which can often make stress and anxiety worse. If anxiety or depression is giving you chest pain, it’s a sign to give your mental health number one priority.
A broken rib
When a rib is fractured, the pain is much more severe than a pulled muscle and usually results in a feeling of breathlessness or a stabbing sensation in the affected area that goes on for several weeks. A broken rib may occur after a direct blow to the ribcage or impact from contact sports such as hockey or football.
It’s essential to contact a healthcare professional if you think you have a broken rib especially if you are having shortness of breath as it could be a lung problem too. However, the prognosis is good for a simple fracture and ribs are most often left to heal by themselves. Rest, breathe as normally as you can to clear out your lungs and try to sleep as upright as you can for the first three or four nights of your injury. You can help ease soreness and bring down swelling in the area with a cold pack. Further down the line, our physiotherapist and chiropractic team will be able to help you restore strength in your chest through treatment and exercise.
How Our Brighton Chiropractors & Physiotherapists Can Help
Further down the line, our physiotherapist and chiropractic team will be able to help you restore strength in your chest through treatment and exercise.
Visiting Our Brighton Chiropractic Clinics
If you’re experiencing persistent chest or rib pain, it’s wise to see a chiropractor in Brighton for a thorough assessment. Our team work closely with our physiotherapists in Brighton to create tailored treatment plans, whether you are dealing with chest or rib pain.
Take Your First Step Towards Chest or Rib Pain Relief
Don’t let chest or rib pain disrupt your life. Book a consultation with a trusted Brighton chiropractor today and discover safe, effective relief.
Contact one of our local Brighton Clinics that’s most convenient for you
Sundial Queens Rd Brighton
Call: 01273 774 114
Book Online: Sundial Queens Road Online Booking
Find Us: 111 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XF
Sundial Kemptown
Call: 01273 696 414
Book Online: Sundial Kemptown Online Booking
Find Us: 52 St James’s St, Brighton, BN2 1QG
Frequently Asked Questions About Chest and Rib Pain (FAQs)
Q: Can a chiropractor help with rib pain in Brighton?
A: Absolutely. Our Brighton chiropractic clinic often treats rib joint dysfunction and muscle strains causing chest or rib pain. Gentle spinal manipulation and soft tissue therapy can quickly reduce discomfort and restore movement.
Q: Should I see a chiropractor or physiotherapist for chest pain?
A: If your chest pain is musculoskeletal, either a chiropractor or physiotherapist in Brighton can help. Chiropractors focus on spinal and rib joint function, while physiotherapists offer exercises to support muscle healing. At Sundial Clinics, our teams collaborate for the best outcome.
Q: Is rib pain always serious?
A: Not always. Many cases result from musculoskeletal causes like rib joint dysfunction, muscle strains, or costochondritis. However, sudden, severe chest pain should be evaluated promptly to rule out serious conditions.
Q: How long does rib pain last
A: It depends on the cause. Muscle strains may settle within a week. Rib joint dysfunction often improves after chiropractic treatment. Fractured ribs can take several weeks to heal. A Brighton chiropractor can help speed recovery.