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Costochondritis
Symptom Relief from Costochondritis with Aromatics and Herbs
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the costochondral or Costosternal joint i.e., junction where upper ribs join with the cartilage which holds them to sternum (breastbone), resulting in pushing cartilage in the front of ribcage. This inflammation of the costochondral junction causes pain, tenderness and discomfort in the chest. The most common area of pain is close to the sternum, at the level of 4th, 5th and 6th ribs. Women are more prone to develop Costochondritis. Statistics show that the elderly are the most affected. However, even the young are inflicted. My daughter’s symptoms started around the age of 14.
In most cases there is no apparent reason, however research has reported some possible causes can include stress, strenuous exercise, viral respiratory infections, Fibromyalgia, surgery in the upper chest as well as infections such as tuberculosis and syphilis as well as bacteria.
Not knowing what can generate such intense pain can be scary, leaving one wondering if they are having a heart attack or panic attack.
Several symptoms to watch for can include:
• Sharp pain located on front of chest, may radiate to back or abdomen.• Pain over the fourth to sixth ribs.• Pain on coughing• Tenderness• Anxiety due to chest pain• Difficulty moving trunk or breathing.• High fever• Signs of infection• Nausea, vomiting• Sweating• More than one rib is involved.• Inflammation accompanied with redness, swelling or pus discharge.
In more severe cases complications can include infection spreading to the blood, fever or abscess formation. Abscess formation can occur when tissue becomes infected by bacteria or other issues causing pus to occur. This in turn triggers our immune system to fight it.
With so many possible symptoms, narrowing it down may require further testing ordered by your physician and may include a complete case history as well as a physical exam, chest x-ray, ECG on some cases to rule out other possible causes exams.
Treatments physicians may offer for Costochondritis, depending on the seriousness of your individual case can include treating analgesics for the pain, antibiotics if infection is detected, anti-depressant as needed, may need an anticoagulant and possible narcotics, again based on how advanced your case is. Is it curable? Yes.
Essential Oil(s) Symptom Treatment:
If essential oils are new to you, this will give you some simple steps to create a solution to assist you with inflammatory issues and symptoms. However, the safety of oils is dependent on many factors including the individual oil, the age, health including medications and allergies, sensitivity level, and pregnancy.
Essential oils are made up of many components (constituents). Very few of these molecular constituents which are the molecules that make up the larger substance or in this case, the essential oil, can penetrate through the skin barrier. Those that can are what offers therapeutic actions such as support for emotional and mental issues and physical inflammation, pain and more. The skin barrier job is to protect us from external threats which include chemicals, systemic toxicity, infections and allergens.
Some oil molecules are penetrable and beneficial but need assistance from those that can fully penetrate the barrier. The molecules that are capable of penetrating are capable of this function. Examples of items on the market that are capable of this action include pain patches, hormone patches and others you can get over the counter or with a prescription.
Once essential oils penetrate the skin barrier, they enter the blood stream and eventually the nervous system and lymphatic system. Not all components can do this but they do make up the overall beautiful oils’ aroma and healing actions.
When using them topically, warm dry skin is most receptive. A warm cloth can be used (dry skin) or a heating pad. Essential oils can take as little as 20 minutes to an hour to reach the blood stream and depending on the oil, up to 2 hours. Consistency is key. Just like a prescription, to drive away the inflammation completely, continue using every 4 hours for 1-2 weeks ideally. Or as long as you feel it is necessary. Note: I am not a physician, nor will I replace your physician’s guidance.
How to Use
Although we may not react to all oils, it is hit and miss. For this reason, essential oils should not be used without protecting the skin first. Some components within oils are very strong and then condensed down to essential oils, they become even stronger. Natural does not dictate safe. Poison Ivy is natural, and we know how that feels.
Carrier oils are used for blending essential oils with. Watery substances won’t work since oil and water do not mix leaving an oily substance floating on top.
These are also referred to as "fixed" or fatty oils. The fixed oil keeps the skin safe from possible reaction and irritation and keeps it from evaporating so quickly. After all, essential oils are volatile and evaporate rather quickly with some quicker than others, keeping one from receiving the full benefits of the oil. These oils also come with their own therapeutic actions for the skin, so you benefit even more so. Some suggestions for use as carrier a carrier oil include Jojoba, Coconut, Olive, Sweet Almond, Baobab, Borage, Emu, Grapeseed and so many more.
Most essential oils have some anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions on one scale or another. But those that have the strongest thus most effective include the following oils. This is not a limited list and some come with needed safety advice.
The list includes Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavender Lavendula angustifolia, Helichrysum (Immortelle) Helichrysum italicum, Spike Lavender Lavendula latifolia, Juniper Berry Juniperus communis, Lemon Citrus limon, Peppermint Mentha piperita, Cypress Cupressus sempervirens, Cedarwood Juniperus virginiana, Palmarosa Cymbopogon martini var. moti to name a few. Some work on pain, some work on inflammation and each also include other properties as well.
That said, let me introduce you to some remarkable pain-relieving oils. With remarkable anti-inflammatory properties and pain relievers, this group of oils includes Pine, Cypress, Cedar, Fir and Spruces. They are a deep treatment to ease discomfort and work remarkably well. Why does this group work so well? The following are components you will find within various conifer oils and the actions of said components.
1. a-pinene: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, prevents bone loss
2. b-pinene: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic
3. b-myrcene: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative
4. camphor: analgesic, cns stimulant, prevents bone loss
5. b-Caryophyllene: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitumoral, antiviral, immunostimulant
6. terpinene-4-ol: activates white blood cells, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, antiviral, cns depressant, hypotensive, immunostimulant
7. d-limonene activates white blood cells, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunostimulant, skin penetration enhancer
8. bornyl acetate: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cns depressant, prevents bone loss, sedative
9. o-3-carene: anti-inflammatory, inhibits acetylcholinesterase, mucolytic, prevents bone loss
10. b-phellandrene: antifungal (candida)
11. sabinene: Antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, antibacterial, Antirheumatic, anti-viral
12. y-terpinene: antibacterial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, kills head lice
Here I share my anti-inflammatory, acute injury Body oil or cream. This blend is 2%. You can increase up to 5% for more severe pain.
· 1-ounce unscented cream or carrier oil
· 3 drops Siberian Fir Abies sibirica
· 3 drops Scotch Pine Pinus sylvestris
· 3 drop Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
· 3 drops White Spruce Picea glauca
· 2 drops Red (Norway) Pine Pinus resinosa
· 3 drops White Pine Pinus strobus
Add to a glass container of one ounce carrier oil. Shake well. Apply as needed.
A Look at Herbal Treatments
There are some herbal alternatives offered that have successfully treated symptoms of this painful disease.
Homeopathic and Herbal Treatment:
-Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus acts especially upon the muscular tissue and skin, and its most characteristic effects are upon the chest walls, like pleurodynia. It's also known to ease pain and soreness, in areas of the sternum, ribs, the intercostal spaces and both hypochondria that feel bruised and tender to touch. It eases symptoms of intercostal rheumatism and other associated issues.
-Bryonia alba is a remarkable herb in that it acts on all serous membranes and the viscera. The visceral organs include the heart, lungs, as well as the organs of the digestive system, excretory, reproductive and lastly the circulatory system. So, it's not surprising that this herb can assist in achy muscles, symptoms from broken ribs, sprains and more.
-Arnica Montana is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that is used in treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems. This herb may be beneficial in treating pain in your joints, muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues. Various parts of the Arnica plant contain flavonoids and essential oils that are used in herbal medicines and used to treat sports or traumatic injuries, limbs and body ache, as if beaten, overall body aches including symptoms from Rheumatism of the muscular and tendinous tissues, especially in the back and shoulders.
Other possible herbs that may assist include Ginger and Turmeric for inflammation, Chamomile for relaxation, eases anxiety and overall calming, major anti-inflammatory food and it seems that Fennel and Garlic assist with that costochondritis overall pain. These can be instituted into your diet or dried and used in capsules. Gentle stretching can help with loosening and relacing muscles.
In my studies and personal health, I have learned that inflammation comes from the nerves. Nerve endings attached to the muscles. When the nerves are not functioning correctly or are damaged, inflammation in the muscles can occur. We can massage and treat these muscles which help to relax them, and I do massage therapy often for my Fibromyalgia. However, if we don’t touch the nerves, we are only relieving the symptoms, not addressing the cause. By massaging the nerves and insuring they are working correctly, we are treating the inflammation more effectively.
Diet and management of the body play a big part in the treatment as well. By removing stress in our lives and avoiding foods that can also cause inflammation, it assists in the healing process.
• Rest• Yoga and meditation• Mild exercise• Heat or icing may also relieve symptoms 15-minute rotation• Proper medication (Including Alternative treatment such as homeopathic, herbs and essential oils)• Nerve stimulation therapy is very important• Gentle shrug and rotating shoulders help in healing.• Avoid tight clothing• Stress management techniques• Counseling may help a bit in improvement process• Avoid smoking and alcohol• Avoid fatty and spicy food
Prognosis if Costochondritis is generally very good. Most of the cases recover within 6-8 weeks after proper treatment. By 6 months complete recovery is reported, in very rare cases condition may return. The prognosis of costochondritis is very good if treatment starts at an early stage.
Rehne Burge, Certified Aromatherapist
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