Chest pain – often misunderstood, but fully treatable

As a chiropractor, I often see patients seeking help for chest pain – a symptom that naturally causes concern, as many people immediately think of the heart. It is important to first rule out medical causes that require emergency care, but what many people don’t know is that chest pain often has a musculoskeletal background. And that is exactly where a chiropractor or naprapath makes a big difference. We treat the causes of the pain, not just the symptoms.

A common cause of chest pain is dysfunction in the joints of the ribs, where the ribs attach to the spine (costovertebral joints). If a rib becomes stiff or rotated, it can create a local, sharp pain that worsens with deep breathing, movement, or when pressing on the area. With the help of a chiropractor or naprapath, we restore mobility in these joints and release the biomechanical pressure, which often leads to immediate relief.

The pain can also come from the intercostal muscles – the small muscles between the ribs that help with breathing. These can become overworked, especially during stress, heavy breathing, coughing or static work positions. Through techniques such as trigger point therapy, massage and dry needling, we can reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow, which creates rapid tissue recovery.

Another common source of chest pain is the thoracic spine, i.e. the middle of the back. A locking or misalignment in the thoracic spine can refer pain to the chest via nerve branches that run between the ribs. This is sometimes called ”referred pain”. With specific adjustments to the thoracic vertebrae, we help restore the nervous system’s balance and mobility in the spine, which reduces both local and radiating pain.

We also see many patients where the chest pain comes from poor posture, often related to prolonged sitting in front of computers or mobile phones. Forward-rotated shoulders and weak thoracic spine lead to muscular imbalance and compression in the chest. Here we work with posture-correcting treatments and functional training, where the goal is to strengthen the muscles that hold the upper body in an upright and relaxed position, which reduces the load on both joints and muscles.

We always start with a thorough examination to rule out more serious causes, and when we know that the pain comes from the musculoskeletal system, we put together an individual treatment plan. Do you have recurring or unexplained chest pain, especially when you move or stand? Then there’s a good chance we can help you. Book an appointment with us – we have the solution.