What's this chest pain?

I was diagnosed with costochondritis at first, but then they figured out that it is chronic myofascial pain (which is very similar to fibromyalgia). You probably have some trigger points (a trigger point is a knot in the muscle). The trigger points are most likely in your sternalis, pectoralis, or intercostal muscles - but can spread (ie. serratus anterior) . The only way to relieve a trigger point is to put pressure on it (Use a broad tip marker on the pointy end - I like those fat sharpie's and consider buying a THERACANE - it is a great tool for the back especially!). The external intercostal muscles are responsible for expanding your ribcage when you take a deep breath. It will hurt when you press on the trigger point at first and lots of times they refer pain (you will press on the trigger point and feel the pain else where). The pain will be felt at first but then it should gradually get less and less. you have to work out the trigger points (consider seeing a massage therapist who does myofascial release - I tried electro-acupuncture but it was NO-WHERE NEAR AS EFFECTIVE as massage therapy) also make sure you stretch your back, neck and ribcage (do a pec stretch). Remember that anything affected in the back will also be affected in the front and vice-versa. To do a pec stretch (which stretches your pectoral muscles, sternalis, and intercostals) stand in a doorway with your arms against the door frame in an "L" position (and keep your bicep at shoulder height and lean forward. You should feel a stretch in your upper chest. To stretch the neck (re: sternocledomastoid and scalenes) sit in a chair with the feet flat on the floor and arms by your side relaxed. Tilt your head to one side and hold when you feel a stretch. then do the other way. Also for the scalene muscles in the neck tilt the head to one side while seated in the chair and then at the same time turn your head upwards to the ceiling and hold. Also make sure you sit with feet flat on the ground and your back straight and not slouched as this can lead to developing trigger points in your back & neck in the scalenes (re: neck) and in the rhomboids and trapezius in your back & other places. You should try to deep breath (Make sure it is from your diaphragm) even if you can only get a little air in and hold it as this will allow your diaphragm muscle to stretch. I suspect it might also be tight. Sometimes you will hear your bones crack and pop if your diaphragm is really tight when you stretch it - this is normal and will not hurt you. Your diaphragm is your primary breathing muscle. Rehab I found is a LONG PROCESS for this and RX muscle relaxents do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! you should consider buying the the book by Claire Davies called "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook". Trigger points can also create sattelite trigger points (i.e. in your abdominal muscles which can sometimes give you bladder urges - you feel like you got to go but you actually don't). Use heat on the affected area to increase the blood flow - you only want to use ice immediately after an injury for swelling. At this stage you want heat (and I find heat much more soothing and helpful myself).

Good luck to you. I got my diagnosis from a Thoracic Surgeon, but you can also see a Rheumatologist.

I also want to note that I went for a pulmonary function test and my family doc told me I had asthma. HOWEVER, he did not know my specialist got a copy of the test results and he said my test was "normal" - so I don't have asthma! Apparently ALOT of family practice MDs have never heard of Chronic Myofascial pain and do not know about trigger points (mine didn't).

It took a year for me to be able to yawn through my nose (in though the nose and out through the mouth) - I still cannot yawn with my mouth cause of my trigger points and diaphragm tightness.

Wow. it form of sounds like your describing some thing equivalent to what I experienced as a infant and often as an person. i'm getting those achy, sharp discomfort in my chest / rib area. oftentimes the discomfort is mild yet each so often it is so undesirable i will barley take a breath. It additionally sounds like it starts on the backside of my rib cage and then travels up my area because it slowly is going away. i became advised by technique of my healthcare expert it became "turning out to be" pains. Then while i became older, I further it up back and he mentioned it somewhat is a muscle unsolicited mail. it somewhat is been months for the reason that i've got had one. With me, the discomfort basically final some seconds and on the main a minute or 2. additionally they basically seem to ensue once or twice in an afternoon as quickly as I do have them. i might advise that in the event that they take place greater usually, dissimilar circumstances in an afternoon i might see somebody approximately it. it would desire to be no longer something or it would desire to be some thing (style of obtrusive answer).

Glad you're seeing the Dr! It could be heartburn? I had a bad ache right in the centre of my chest, right between boobs under breast bone, I thought it was my heart but turned out to be heartburn/indigestion. Mine didn't throb though, perhaps that could be your heart beating making it feel like it's throbbing. Eating a banana everyday helps, there's something in them that helps to stop it.

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Hi. It could be acid reflux or even referred pain from your neck/back (cervical spondylosis). you could ask your doctor about these possibilities. good luck