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Ever had that sudden chest pain that makes you think you’ve been cast in a hospital soap? Just as you brace for the dramatic close-up, it turns out your ribs are simply sulking. That over-the-top ache could be costochondritis, and while it loves attention, it is rarely dangerous. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt or that you should just put up with it! Call 9598 5334 today to book an appointment with one of our osteopaths at The Osteo Clinic.

Chest pain immediately raises alarm bells, and understandably so. Our first thought often goes straight to the heart. But not all chest pain originates from cardiac issues. One common musculoskeletal cause is costochondritis, a condition that involves inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs meet the sternum (breastbone). Though uncomfortable and sometimes alarming, costochondritis is not life-threatening. Understanding what it is, why it happens, and how osteopathy may help makes it easier to manage.

What is costochondritis?

The rib cage is built for protection and movement. Each rib attaches to the chest bone (the sternum) via costal cartilage, which provides flexibility for breathing and upper body movement. In costochondritis, this cartilage becomes inflamed, usually at the second to fifth ribs. The result is sharp or aching chest pain, often worsened by movement, deep breathing, or pressing on the affected area.

Recognising the symptoms

The hallmark symptom is localised chest pain that often feels sharp, stabbing, or pressure-like. Unlike heart-related pain, costochondritis usually:

• Worsens when pressing on the tender rib joints.
• Increases with certain movements, such as lifting, twisting, or stretching.
• Sometimes radiates to the back or shoulders but remains reproducible with touch or movement.

Because chest pain always requires caution, any new or severe pain should first be checked by a GP or hospital to rule out cardiac or pulmonary causes. Once cleared,  our osteopaths are here to support you in managing your costochondritis.

Why does costochondritis occur?

There is rarely a single cause. Instead, several factors may contribute:

• Repetitive strain from heavy lifting, sports, or physical work.
• Poor posture, especially slouching or rounded shoulders that increase pressure at the rib joints.
• Respiratory illness, such as a cough or chest infection, which repeatedly stresses the rib cage.
• Trauma, like a fall or blow to the chest.

Stress and shallow breathing may also aggravate symptoms by keeping the chest and rib muscles tight.

Osteopathic approach to costochondritis

 Osteopathy aims to reduce strain on the costosternal joints, improve mobility, and support the body’s healing response. After a thorough case history and physical assessment, an osteopath may use gentle techniques to:

• Relieve tension in the intercostal muscles and surrounding soft tissues.
• Improve spinal and rib mobility to reduce uneven loading at the costal joints.
• Encourage better posture and breathing mechanics.

Treatment also includes tailored advice on daily habits, ergonomics, and simple movements to prevent flare-ups. Osteopathy does not replace urgent medical care for chest pain, but once serious causes are excluded, it provides a safe, supportive option for musculoskeletal chest discomfort.

Self-Care at Home

 In addition to osteopathic treatment, some strategies may help ease discomfort:

• Heat or cold therapy applied locally may reduce pain and inflammation.
• Gentle stretching of the chest and upper back encourages mobility.
• Good posture reduces pressure on the rib joints, especially when working at a desk.
• Pacing activity avoids overloading the rib cage during recovery.

Manual therapy and lifestyle adjustments form the foundation of long-term management of this condition.

When to seek Help

 Because costochondritis mimics heart-related pain, immediate medical assessment is vital if you experience chest pain for the first time, or if pain feels crushing, spreads to the jaw or left arm, or comes with dizziness and sweating. Once cleared by a doctor, seeking osteopathic care may help reduce musculoskeletal symptoms and support recovery.

Conclusion

 Costochondritis can feel unsettling, but it is a musculoskeletal condition rather than a cardiac emergency. With awareness, self-care and osteopathic treatment, many people find their discomfort eases and movement feels freer.

Call 9598 5334 today to book an appointment with one of our osteopaths at The Osteo Clinic. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for health hints, posture pointers and rib-related rhymes. We’re on Facebook and Instagram @theosteoclinic and @theosteoclinicmordialloc

When people think of osteopathy, they often associate it with treating back or neck pain. However, osteopaths are trained to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions, including lateral ankle sprains. If you’ve ever twisted your ankle, you know how painful it can be and how it can interfere with daily activities. Osteopaths can play an important role in managing ankle sprains, using hands-on techniques and rehabilitation exercises to help reduce pain and speed up recovery.

A lateral ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle are overstretched or torn. This injury is often caused by the foot turning inward, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving or putting weight on the ankle. It’s especially common in sports but can happen to anyone.

When you visit your osteopath they will assess your ankle and develop a tailored treatment plan to suit your needs. The initial focus will typically be on managing the pain and swelling, using gentle manual therapy techniques to reduce discomfort and improve circulation. Use of the R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method in the early stages of recovery may be recommended. In addition to this, your osteopath may use soft tissue massage and joint mobilisation to relieve tightness in surrounding muscles and improve joint mobility.

Rehabilitation in many cases can commence almost immediately after your first visit. Your osteopath will guide you through a specific set of rehabilitation exercises aimed at restoring strength, flexibility, and stability to the injured ankle. This might include range-of-motion exercises to help the ankle move smoothly again, as well as strengthening exercises to rebuild the muscles around the joint. Common exercises include calf raises, ankle circles, and resistance band work to target the ankle stabilizers.

Balance and proprioception exercises are also a key part of the rehabilitation process. These exercises, such as standing on one leg or using a balance board, help train your body to react quickly and maintain stability, reducing the risk of future sprains.

Osteopaths also take a holistic approach, looking at how the entire body functions. This means they might assess your posture, walking pattern, and alignment to ensure your body is moving efficiently. This comprehensive approach helps prevent compensatory issues in other areas, like the knees or hips, which could increase the risk of further injuries.

In some cases, if the injury seems more serious or isn’t improving as expected, your osteopath might recommend further imaging, such as an x-ray or MRI. These are simply tools that help get a clearer picture of the injury, ensuring that any underlying issues, like fractures or severe ligament damage, are properly addressed. However, it’s important to note that this is not always necessary. Your osteopath will only suggest imaging if they feel it’s needed to ensure you receive the best possible care. The goal is always to provide you with the most effective treatment plan and help you recover as quickly and safely as possible.

If you’ve suffered from a lateral ankle sprain or are dealing with lingering pain, don’t hesitate to see an osteopath. With hands-on treatment, personalized rehab plans, and a focus on long-term recovery, osteopathy helps not only address the injury but also reduce the risk of future problems.

Subacromial impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes for shoulder pain (1). It involves pinching or friction of the tissues within the subacromial space, due to narrowing when the arm or shoulder is put into certain positions. The subacromial space is created by the top of the humerus, the shoulder joint and ligaments, and the acromion which is the top of the shoulder blade. Within the subacromial space is the bicep tendon, rotator cuff and bursa.

Subacromial impingement syndrome can occur due to a number of reasons such as anatomical and mechanical factors, rotator cuff injury, joint instability, imbalance of the muscles that stabilise the shoulder blade and posture (2). It usually presents as shoulder pain with no major trauma involved, which is made worse by lifting the arm or overhead activities (1). There can be a loss of shoulder range of motion and it is usually painful (1).

Recurrence of subacromial impingement syndrome can be common (1) so it’s important to see your osteopath for an assessment. Treatment and rehabilitation is aimed at reducing pain and improving shoulder function through a combination of manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation.

References

1. Senbursa G, Baltacı G, Atay A. Comparison of conservative treatment with and without manual physical therapy for patients with shoulder impingement syndrome: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2007;15(7):915-921.

2. Lewis J, Green A, Dekel S. The Aetiology of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome. Physiotherapy. 2001;87(9):458-469.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common types of arthritis and a major cause of pain and disability in adults. It is a chronic condition that occurs due to the breakdown of the cartilage within a joint. Osteoarthritis affects more than 25% of adults worldwide (Chen et al., 2017). Although it can occur any age, it is most common after the age of 45, and tends to affect women more than men.

Common symptoms are pain and stiffness, particularly in the morning, and limited range of motion that usually improves with movement. It can affect any joint, but most commonly affects the neck, lower back, hips, knees and hands. Winter and changes in weather can often exacerbate symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a very common condition that we see as osteopaths. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms, increase mobility and improve function and quality of life. Treatment may involve soft tissue, stretching and mobilisation techniques to assist with pain levels, stiffness, range of motion and function. Education and advice about the condition is also provided, as well as some at home exercises which may help.

As we head into winter and the cold weather approaches, if this pain and stiffness sounds familiar to you why not see one of our osteopaths for help. Call us on 9598 5334 or simply book online.

Almost everybody suffers from a headache from time to time, with the majority resolving without the need for intervention. Some, however, may require a helping hand and this is where osteopathy may help.

Understanding exactly which type of headache you have, or if it is in fact a migraine, is the first step we take. Tension type headaches and migraines are one of the most common forms of head pain. Via taking a thorough history and examination, osteopaths can diagnose what type of headache you may have.

Tension type headaches result from a build up of tension within the neck and shoulders and commonly present like a halo compressing the top of the head. Treating the muscle tension, improving posture, dealing with trigger points within the muscles and mobilising stiff joints may all contribute to the resolution of your tension headache.

Cervicogenic headaches are also a common presentation to osteopaths. They can be the result of inflammation and irritation of the upper joints within the neck. This causes pain under the base of the skull, often also referring over the top of the head or around the eye. Treating the affected joints and tight muscles through joint manipulation, soft tissue massage and even dry needling can bring about the resolution of this type of headache.

Migraines can be debilitating, and are considered more complex in origin than a standard ‘headache’. Migraines often are accompanied by nausea, visual aura, vomiting, or dizziness; and usually occur on only one side of the head or neck. Osteopaths can work with both you and your GP to develop the most effective management plan to deal with your migraines.

So next time you develop a pesky headache that you can’t shake, consider coming in to see one of our osteopaths to see if we can help.