QuestionI have been working out for a while now, and had always done dips with just my body weight between 2 parallel bars. Recently, about 6 weeks ago, I have increased the weight by using a belt with weight on it while doing the dips on the same bars. I started and everything seemed fine. Then the second week or so after I increased the weight, I did them again and I felt like a hard stretching pain in my sternum area. It went away rather quickly and when I did them the following week I didn't feel anything unusual. Last week, I felt the pain again, but I had noticed when I leaned forward more while doing the dips, it would hurt more. When I would keep my head back and try to keep my body more upright, it would not really hurt at all, so I attribute this to the form used and it may be different for others, but this is what I found for myself. I have read several forums online where people have felt a stretching or collapsing feeling in the sternum area of the chest, followed by an immediate, but intense pain directly in the middle of the chest. Not the muscle, but more where the muscle attaches to the center of the chest. This is a similar feeling for me, except that most people claim to feel the pain in the center to lower sternum area. I seem to feel mine in the middle to upper chest area. I started looking at diagrams of the anatomy of the ribs, chest, sternum area, and I seem to have figured out through some what of a self diagnoses that it is located more or less around the area where the MANUBRIUM meet the BODY (GLADIOLUS) of the sternum. I did the dips on Monday and it hurt intensely once I finished. It went away mostly, but it does hurt when I touch the area. It is exactly where the upper chest muscle meets the upper sternum. Right around where I would say the tendons meet, but also like a thin line of pain going across the sternum there in between the pectoral muscles. About 1 to 1 1/2 inches below the top of the bone where that space is in the throat area if you know what I am trying to explain. I also have had popping through the rib area always, but I read that can be normal, and that has been going on for years. Just mentioning it in case it could be related in any way. When I locate this pain with my finger directly on the sternum, I feel the slight raised area at the top of the body of the sternum, which I always have notice, but when I slide my finger upward just above this bumped up area of the sternum, then it lowers immediately, and that is exactly the area of pain. Exactly where the area lowers. I am doing my best to explain this, hoping you will understand what I am explaining. I don't have insurance currently, and I am gathering if I did get it checked out I would be told to take it easy and rest it, so I figured I would get a couple opinions first. I hope I have provided enough information about my question, to help you answer more effectively. Thank You in advance, and I look forward to hearing your response...
Answersports injury, staten island sports injury, chest pain, sternum, staten island chiropractor,
Hello Nathan,
Thank You for your question.
I am sorry to hear of your pain.
You have written a pretty detailed, long description of your complaint, Thank You. Usually people do not give enough information.
If you re-read your question- you may find your answer(s).
Perhaps you have stepped up the weight too quickly. Perhaps you are using poor form, poor technique. Perhaps you are not resting enough between sessions.
****************************
A pretty nice overview:
From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/sternum-pain-causes.html
Sternum, commonly known as breastbone or chest bone, is the flat bone that is situated in the central portion of the chest, underneath the collarbone. If you refer to human anatomy, you can easily identify the capital 'T' shaped sternum, which joins the rib bones on both sides via cartilage. Together with the rib bones, sternum protects the inner organs such as heart and lungs from physical injury or trauma.
Pain in sternum or sternal pain can be an acute or chronic condition. At times, it is associated with cracking or clicking sensations in the sternal bone. In order to understand better about this painful condition, let's take a look at sternum pain causes.
Sternum Pain Causes
Speaking about the causes of sternum pain, it is commonly listed as one of the associated symptoms for chest pain. Nevertheless, it is to be borne in mind that sternum pain is entirely different from heart related chest pain or angina. Read more on sharp chest pain. Following is a list of the probable sternum pain causes:
Costochondritis
An injury or inflammation to the rib cartilage (costochondritis) is one of the most common reasons associated with sternum pain. Even though, not many of us are aware about costochondritis, thousands of people seek medical attention every year for treatment of this medical condition. In majority of the cases, costochondritis due to inflammation and/or swelling of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum, results in sternum pain. Read more on costochondritis: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Injury to the Sternoclavicular Joint
Sternoclavicular (SC) joint is the anatomical structure that connects the sternum or breastbone to the collarbone (clavicle). Accidental trauma to this joint can cause mild to serious pain to the sternum, based on the severity of the injury. To be precise, dislocation of the SC joint, either anterior or posterior, may cause severe sternal pain.
Trauma to the Collarbone
Collarbone is located at the top portion of the chest (thorax), in between the sternum and the scapula (or shoulder blade). Collarbone fractures and injuries are quite common, which may occur at birth, during falls or accidents. Sternal pain resulted because of collarbone injury can be combated by proper fixing of the collarbone.
Fractures of the Sternum
Another rare cause of pain in sternum is fracture, which can be caused due to physical trauma. Injury to the sternum is possible, only when a hard object hits the sternum directly with a force. However, if a sternal fracture occurs, then it is usually a comminuted case, in which the sternum breaks into pieces. Read more on different types of bone fractures.
Other Sternum Pain Causes
Sternum pain is also a post surgical symptom of open heart operation that involves separation of the sternum from the adjacent muscles. Other possible causes of sternal pain are overstraining of the muscles in the sternal portion, overexercise, injured ribs, breast cancer and bone cancer.
Sternum Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
As already mentioned, pain in sternum is not actually related to heart problems. However, it is to be noted that sternum pain is also a serious condition that should be taken care, of as soon as possible. Similar to any health condition, early diagnosis and proper treatment of sternum pain is always advisable. In case, the pain in sternum is associated with a mass formation in the sternal area, there are chances of severe diseases like chondrosarcoma or lymphoma.
For diagnosis of pain in sternum, the physician examines medical history and conducts imaging tests. Depending upon whether pain in sternum is acute or chronic, the physician may recommend medications such as corticosteroids or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treatment of the condition. For mild sternal pain due to rigorous exercise, over-the-counter pain killers are effective for getting relief. Getting proper rest helps in quick healing of the injuries (if any) and recovery of the sternal pain.
*************************
Another good web source: http://www.healthhype.com/causes-of-breast-bone-pain-sternum.html
***************************
good image: http://www.hpssandiego.com/breastbone.htm
************************************
Of course, I recommend an in-person, hands-on evaluation by an appropriate licensed health professional.
After all of the above, let me give my long distance estimation:
You are involved in a workout regimen.
You are probably working out too hard, too long, poor form, stepped up weight too quickly.
Examine these aspects ^^^ for your self.
It is not likely that you have broken a bone (your sternum).
It is likely that you have given yourself an ..." -itis" ...
An inflammation of a tendon, muscle, muscular attachment, fascia, ligament.
Correct your technique/ form; use appropriate weight; get enough rest!
If you evaluate/ correct these components, perhaps then you can correct your complaint yourself and not need any (expensive?) evaluation by a doctor.......
although to be safe, I always have to recommend a professional evaluation.
Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr20Tlm5py4
for an explanation of the PRICE protocol ,,, it could be helpful for your chest pain.
see also:
P.R.I.C.E. =
P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ?? injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help.
PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
(ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again ( please do NOT use heat, heat adds to edema->
heat feels good while it is on,,,, and often makes the condition WORSE after you take heat off )
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body
parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ; ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine , Invited to care for USA Olympians @ Olympic Training Center 2010 , Chiropractor to the CHAMPIONSHIP NYPD Football Team, and PSAL Champion Curtis Football Team
***********************
Well, I hope this information helps somewhat. If you need further information,
do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at AllExperts.com :
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
You may find some information you need at my new YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/naturalhealthdoctor
Thank You for your Question !!!
I wish you-
Good Health Naturally!
Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
http://www.youtube.com/user/naturalhealthdoctor
