COSTOCHONDRITIS
Updated: Oct 18
I have had this chest pain many times, and it frightened me. It is usually sharp, aching or pressure-like, and it is often mistaken for a heart attack. Your ribs and breastbone meet in several places, so the pain can show up anywhere along them. It is most often on one side, usually the left. For me, it felt like a tight band squeezing just below my bra line. Here are ideas that may help.
Want to learn more about costochondritis? My Costochondritis education post is here:
A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
The supplements recommended by Rise Above Lyme are listed at the bottom of this post for easy shopping.
FIRST, GET CHEST PAIN CHECKED
- Chest pain can have serious causes. Mayo Clinic advises getting emergency care for chest pain to rule out life-threatening causes, like a heart attack.
- Lyme can also affect the heart. If your heart has not been checked, ask your doctor. Learn more here:
1. CHANGE YOUR BRA
A soft, wireless bra may feel much better on sore ribs. My picks, from most comfortable to most supportive:
- Hanes Women's Wireless Cooling T-Shirt Bra: the most comfortable, but less support.
- Bali Comfort Revolution Wireless Bra: my second favorite.
- Playtex 18 Hour Ultimate Lift Wireless Bra: good support, but less comfortable than the first two.
2. HEAT OR ICE
- A heating pad on a low setting or a warm compress, several times a day.
- Ice may help too.
3. GENTLE STRETCHES AND REST
- Gentle chest stretches may help.
- Rest, and change or avoid activities that make the pain worse.
- Costochondritis often goes away on its own, but it can last several weeks or longer.
4. CASTOR OIL PACKS
Learn how to make one here:
5. TOPICALS
ANCIENT MINERALS MAGNESIUM LOTION ULTRA WITH MSM
Recommended by my Lyme doctor. Especially helpful for my neck, back and spine pain. The label says it may sting a little at first. Learn more here:
NUTRASAL MAGNESIUM L-ARGININE CREAM
I learned about this one from my Lyme doctor. A non-greasy magnesium cream my dad and I both tried. Learn more here:
CBD CREAM
One more option. Learn more here:
6. INFRARED PEMF MAT
My favorite device for my own pain. See the 2 mats I recommend here:
7. INFLAMMATION SUPPORT
Supplement ideas for pain and inflammation are in my Pain / Inflammation post:
FIND RELIEF
One I personally love: Find Relief, formulated by my doctor, Dr. Thoring.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL
Talk with your doctor before adding anything.
HOW TO BUY AT 25% OFF
Anyone can get 25% off when signed up under the Rise Above Lyme Fullscript discount:
Magnesium L-Arginine Cream by NutraSal:
Organic Castor Oil by Heritage Store (for castor oil packs):
Castor oil pack flannels are also on Fullscript at 25% off. Search for them by name after signing up with the Fullscript discount above.
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Lotion Ultra with MSM: use code RISEABOVE on the Ancient Minerals website.
RELATED POSTS
Costochondritis:
Pain / Inflammation Solutions:
Inflammation and Pain:
Castor Oil Packs:
My Sauna PEMF Photon Mat:
PEMF for Pain:
Ancient Minerals Pain Cream:
NutraSal:
CBD and Medical Marijuana:
Turmeric / Curcumin:
Different Forms of Magnesium:
Migratory Pain in Lyme:
Cardiology: Lyme Carditis and POTS:
SOURCES
Mayo Clinic, Costochondritis: Symptoms and Causes (2025):
Mayo Clinic, Costochondritis: Diagnosis and Treatment (2025):
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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