What can cause inflammation of the sternum?
- Several things can cause inflammation of the sternum but often it is due to:
- Stiffness in the thoracic spine
- Stiffness in the chest muscles
- stress
- Overwork or overload
- Trauma such as blows, falls or road accidents
- Prolonged cough
When and where should I seek treatment for sternal inflammation?
As acute chest pain can have more serious causes than inflammation such as cardiovascular disease, especially if the pain is persistent for more than 15 minutes, you should see a doctor in the first instance to rule out serious illness. In the case of inflammation of the sternum, which can take months to self-heal, fascia treatment at a fascia clinic can be very helpful in speeding up healing. You can do this as soon as possible to speed up healing, and it will be easier to heal if you don’t let it go on too long. Prolonged pain can lead to changes in posture and strain that cause new injuries and pain.
Fascia clinics work to balance the body for even loading, improved posture and optimal body function. With gentle vibrations, the flow of the fascia is increased and creates the opportunity for the body to self-heal and thus the healing process can be significantly shortened.
What can I do myself in case of sternal inflammation
In any healing process, movement is important and you should therefore not become completely still. However, you should avoid activities that cause pain such as heavy lifting, excessive movement and twisting of the upper body. You can also try warming the area that hurts as heat increases fascial flow and circulation and reduces pressure on pain receptors. Tiger balm can also have a remedial effect. Gentle movement exercises and gentle stretching of the thoracic spine and chest muscles can also have a positive effect.
Inflammation of the sternum – Exercises
- Keep in mind that the exercises should be gentle and not trigger painful conditions.
- Stretch chest muscles
Lie on your stomach, position your elbow so it is bent 90 degrees at shoulder height. Rest the ear of the same side against the floor and push off with the other hand from the floor, level with the chest and close to the body. Let your hip follow in a twist towards the ceiling and place the upper leg behind the lower one. For better balance or if you feel tension/pain in your lower back, pull your lower knee towards your stomach.
Stay there for 3-5 minutes, relax and breathe. If you can’t do it all the time, you’re pushing yourself too hard.
Supine rotation of thoracic spine
Lie on one side with your knees bent, think fetal position. Then rotate your torso and head over to the other side, away from the direction of your knees and with your arms outstretched to either side. Try to come down with both shoulder blades facing the floor. Repeat on the other side.