Costochondritis stress is a self-limiting and chronic condition affecting the costochondral junctions within the ribs, or the chondrosternal joints of the anterior wall of the chest. Frequently confused with Tietze syndrome, this condition is often difficult to fully treat, and may lead to long-term complications.
As a chronic condition, long-term pain caused by costochondritis is often severely debilitating, preventing the normal functioning of the patient in everyday tasks throughout their lives. Practitioners must focus on treating the underlying inflammation and pain of the condition to return quality of life.
Unfortunately, many treatment options are limited in their consistent efficacy. Those with chronic costochondritis will often find their pain returns, even when engaging in lifestyle changes intended to reduce discomfort. When patients exercise or engage in certain activities, this can further aggravate the condition, making the management of everyday life difficult.
Finding Treatment Solutions for costochondritis
Practitioners often begin the treatment process for costochondritis stress by ensuring no other underlying issues are at play. The symptoms associated with this condition are often indicators of other conditions. Chest pain can also indicate the presence of cardiac arrhythmia or pneumonia and in costochondritis stress is also frequently associated with fibromyalgia.
When experienced as a component of fibromyalgia, this condition can also accompany a sense of constant fatigue, difficulty focusing, feelings of depression, headaches, and more.
Most treatment options for costochondritis stress begin with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Further painkillers and narcotics can be prescribed, alongside tricyclic antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Oral and injection-based steroids are also a possible treatment option.
Unfortunately, the use of many of these treatment options can have long-term negative side-effects, including addiction, withdrawal, and the onset of ulcers in the case of NSAID long-term treatment.
Holistic Treatments for Costochondritis Stress
The side effects of various treatment options for costochondritis stress have pushed practitioners to explore other holistic treatment options. Doctors often recommend permanent lifestyle changes that include physical therapy and hot or cold therapy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with daily yoga and stretches can alleviate some pain.
The most significant holistic treatment option that appears to be available today is Reishi mushroom, a fungus known for its medicinal purposes, immune system management, and the ability to reduce inflammation. This substance also includes significant doses of the compound triterpene, which is effective at alleviating anxiety, often caused by costochondritis stress and encouraging better sleeping patterns.
The immunomodulatory performance of Reishi can further reduce the inflammation at the core of costochondritis stress, reducing the need for further treatment options with NSAIDS. The bioactive compounds of Reishi, however, are best delivered through carefully extracted supplementation. It’s crucial to ensure that the components of the mushroom, including adaptogen beta-glucans, are concentrated and in its purest form. Beta-glucans are capable of adapting to the needs of the body for each patient. These substances, combined with other fungi derived compounds like terpenoids within Reishi mushrooms, can provide patients with a better quality of life through reduced pain, improved sleep, and better mental health.
Further Holistic Treatment Options
Reishi is one of the main mushrooms available for the holistic management of inflammatory conditions like costochondritis stress. For patients suffering with this condition as a result of fibromyalgia, a full holistic treatment strategy may include the use of Cordyceps extracts. Cordyceps mushrooms can help the body in utilizing oxygen more effectively, which can be a common concern with costochondritis stress.
These mushrooms also assist with blood flow and reducing discomfort during exercise – a problem that many people experience when dealing with costochondritis stress. The Cordyceps mushroom further assists with muscle recovery and athletic performance, while maintaining energy levels.
Combined with strategies for long-term pain management, like physical therapy and hot and cold therapy, medicinal mushrooms could represent a powerful solution in the holistic treatment of chronic conditions like costochondritis stress.