As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who experience costochondritis. Costochondritis is pain at the location of the cartilage where the ribs attach to your sternum (breast plate). Ultimately it is the result of inflammation of the cartilage and the joint. Typically it is very painful and is often treated with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like motrin or if treating the underlying cause if it is easily defined. Recently I had two patients who were treating their chest wall pain with cannabis with great success.
Costochondritis can be caused by a number of things. Injuries to the chest wall, physical strains (i.e.from excessive weight lifting), infection, fibromyalgia can all lead to inflammation of the costochondral joint.
Because cannabis has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties it is a good treatment plan. It also assists patient with sleep since pain can be exacerbated with breathing as the ribs move in a bucket handle type motion making it difficult to fall asleep.
Cannabis does not have the risk of GI bleeding like typical NSAIDS do and also acts as a great sedative.
If you suffer from costochondritis and would like more information feel free to contact our office at 877-721-0047 and make an appointment to be evaluated by me.
Be blessed,
Dr. Sean Breen
Medical Director, MCSoCal
www.mcsocal.com
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Tags: chest wall pain, costochondritis, fibromyalgia, Medical Marijuana, motrin
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