I can now manage my costochondritis pain, thanks to Apex Clinic!
For 42-year-old Emma Brown from Dundonald, a diagnosis of costochondritis was having a devastating impact on her life. Desperate to get some relief from her chest pain she visited, Apex Clinic, Belfast. Here, Emma describes how the clinic’s unique regime of specialist manual physiotherapy treatment, called The Nelson Spinal ApproachTM cleared her constant pain meaning she could get a full nights sleep once again!
Emma, when did your chest pain begin?
I had pain in my chest, back and ribs since 2017 after an injury. I visited my GP and was diagnosed with costochondritis which is an umbrella term for chest pain caused by inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breast bone. Every time, I had a flare up, I was given various different medications to manage my pain, but we never got to the source of it, or figured out what was triggering my pain. More recently the flare ups started to become more and more frequent to the point that I was just desperate for help and to try something different from the medication being prescribed.
How did the pain effect your life?
During the day the pain was manageable but at night I would pace the floors as I just couldn’t get any sleep. When I lay down, the pain in my chest, back and ribs would become unbearable. Not getting any sleep over a sustained period made daily life very difficult.
What led you to Apex Clinic?
When I was talking to a friend at church I mentioned how I wasn’t getting much relief from the medication and tablets and I was considering looking for somewhere that specialised in treating my condition. That was when Apex Clinic was recommended to me. I live close to the clinic so I thought I’ll get myself booked in for an appointment.
How has your life changed since having treatment?
At the beginning I came for treatment with my specialist physiotherapist weekly and we started to see improvement when I could get a nights sleep without waking up due to the pain. We then started to space my treatment out longer and longer each time. I now have a maintenance treatment every 2 months, to keep my pain away and I am feeling great! Getting a full nights sleep makes you feel like you can take on anything!
What advice would you offer someone suffering with costochondritis or muscular chest pain?
If you are suffering with chest, back or rib pain I would definitely say it is worth trying the specialist treatment that I received at Apex Clinic as there could be another source for your pain and they may be able to clear it! Give Apex a call, all the staff are friendly and helpful and should be able to get to the source of your problem!
To book an appointment at Apex Clinic, call 028 9048 4153. No GP referral is necessary.