Costochondritis? Self-Treatment Advice: Worldwide Expert Steve August

[@macbooth5704]

I found Steve several years ago by accident and ordered the Backpod. I had suffered from costochondritis since the 90s, had learned to live with it, had stopped wearing bras because wearing one felt like my chest was in a vice. I have used the Back pod for all these years and it does work. It takes time. Go slow. It can be quite painful. Use a pillow under your head to start, until you get used to it. I want to thank Steve for creating this and for getting on KZbin to get the word out. As well, thanks to Bob and Brad for sharing this info. It is an extremely painful condition and no one in the medical community (at least in the U.S) has an answer. I can't thank you enough. ❤❤❤

[@eltinant8120]

you walk around with your titties flopping around because a bra hurts your ribs?

[@satyapriya4274]

How many months u used backpod

[@richdollabill305]

I use the soundCore flare speaker to roll under my back abs it gives relief too

[@rebeccatumilty7271]

How did you fix it and how long did it take

[@MCandMosRandomChannel]

Lucky

[@designjunki]

I got costo from a mountain bike injury, 12 years ago. I wont lie the backpod saved my life, i was in such pain i was clocking out couldnt live with the pain, spent thousands on doctors got nowhere, in an act of desperation i bought the backpod, it worked didn't cure me but took the pain from a Ten to a Two, i owe this man my life

[@stevenzphysio4203]

I'd just like to say thank you to Bob and Brad. Lovely to get the invitation and I really enjoyed talking with Bob. Yes, the impression you get from their videos is correct - he is a really nice person, and funny with it. If they ever make it out to New Zealand the offer to come and stay and drink beer remains! They are also very good Physical Therapists. I'm impressed that they are still finding useful, practical, worthwhile bits from PT to explain for the benefit of patients. Heck, they even included me.. Bob says I'm welcome to answer any costochondritis questions I might be helpful with on this video. My life is a bit like swimming in an avalanche but I'll drop in and do that as I can. I did have costo myself for seven years before fixing it completely, so I do know what you're going through. Cheers, Steve August.

[@paceyhansen]

Do you think Structural Integration will help me heal along with stretching and the backpod?

[@stevenzphysio4203]

@@paceyhansen Hi Pacey. Yes. Generally speaking you need to (1) free up the frozen rib machinery round the back (hence the Backpod); (2) free up tight muscle scarring overlying the tight joints (hence massage, Rolfing, or anything else that'll tease through the muscles); (3) stretch the pecs; (4) strengthen the support muscles around your back; (5) stretch your pecs; and (6) if needed, do your own detailed massage around the rib joints on your breastbone. I'll shortly have a much more practical detail on all this up on the Backpod's Costochondritis page - link is www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/ Cheers, Steve August.

[@philanduro1503]

Hello Steve I'm Philip prom Kenya .. How do you unlock the ribs on the chest part?

[@stevenzphysio4203]

@@philanduro1503 Hello, Phil. If you mean unlocking the rib joints round the front where the ribs hinge onto your breastbone - you don't. With costo, mobilising or manipulating those already strained and straining joints will just flare them up big time. They don't need extra movement - they've already got too much. That's what costo IS. You take the pressure off them by freeing up the tight rib machinery around the back. This is what's driving the excessive movement at the front of the chest. See Bob and Brad's video 'Best Costochondritis Self Treatment..' Link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/anm6gqmFZ9F_oqM

[@philanduro1503]

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thank you Sir.. I have been suffering for almost a month now.... I feel the pain on my left side, i lift weights in gym and I can't remember doing excessive weight in gym. Can sleeping badly on side cause this? I wish God can restore my good health back.

[@serrelinda]

I'm not exaggerating when I say this video just changed my life. I had a severe workplace injury on my right shoulder (the doctor described it as a severe sprain he would expect in a sports player. I work retail). Now, this was in April of 2020 when lockdown was really starting here in the states. Getting in to see a doctor was a nightmare and physio was booked out for over a month in my area. Delaying PT rehab on my shoulder caused it to begin to freeze up, and I was in so much pain I avoided moving it at all times, and this of course made it ten times worse. While struggling with the intense shoulder pain I started occasionally having stabbing rib pain along the sternum on the injury side that did NOT feel normal, and shortness of breath. I went to the urgent care for it twice in that first month of injury, and as a woman in her 20's with anxiety disorder and semi frequent panic attacks they basically patronized me out both times without checking my heart beyond pulse and BP and said "go to ER if it gets worse of course, but we think it's all due to stress''. I was terrified of going to the ER at the beginning of Covid with our local hospital swamped, unless it really was an emergency. Finally, in barely controlled agony on painkillers I got in to see a chiropractor who gave me some relief! Miraculously, the chest pain and shortness of breath went away quite quickly. I chalked it up to my panic attacks and figured the urgent care doctors were right. Well, fast forward and I eventually got in to PT and developed a daily stretch routine and healed up (or so I thought). I was good for over a year. Then we come to a couple months ago. It's swamped at work and I began neglecting my stretch routine as I am exhausted when I get home. I don't notice much neck or shoulder pain beyond feeling really stiff. Then two weeks ago I woke up with a STABBING pain on my ribcage under my collarbone and struggling to breathe in fully due to the pain. I convinced myself it was because I slept weirdly that day- I woke up kind of twisted over on my side. However, I began to get excruciating twinges in my ribs on and off, usually at the end of my work day. I'm currently (or I was!) waiting on my doctor's appointment next week to try and figure out what's going on, hoping I could last until then. Well, yesterday I had to leave work early because it was so painful moving around and triggering the pain. It began to start to hurt to breathe again. When I got home I was googling in a panic (yes I know, self diagnosis bad!) I remembered that the last time this pain happened, it was during my shoulder injury so I started looking at possible non- heart or lung chest pain reasons. I decided I would try to sleep and go to the hospital if things got worse. It was hard to sleep, but after ice on the chest and painkillers it felt a little better this morning. I figured that ice probably wouldn't make interior pain feel better so I felt encouraged (fighting off panic attacks afraid it was something more serious was also horrible). So today I stumbled across this costochondritis video and a previous one that showed the technique. I listened in increasing disbelief. Here exactly is what I've been experiencing. I figured I have literally nothing to lose trying this. Seeing a softball recommended as a passable substitute, I grabbed my little rubber massage ball that I haven't used since I was in PT and started rolling where I think the corresponding area in my back is. Oh my @#$%... it HURTS!!! I had no idea it was so tight. So I did all up and down the spine on both sides, probably for a good 30 minutes until each spot loosened up. My partner was concerned because I was literally gasping at the pain in some spots but I told him I was ok. As I worked, I felt like I could actually feel the shooting pain along my breastbone lessening as I was taking deeper breaths. I stood up... with some difficulty... and for the first time in 24 hours I can take a full breath without that knife stabbing me in the rib. I cried. I thought I was on my way to the ER for sure. I literally cannot thank you enough. I wish I could give you all a hug. This was after HALF AN HOUR... of a little rubber massage ball on my spine. I'm in sheer disbelief. I had to sit down and type this out to say... THANK YOU!!!

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Well done, on thinking for yourself and also on toughing out the soreness to free up the tight rib machinery around the back. Those joints can be exquisitely tender when they're frozen, and it can hurt to get them going again. Lots of people would give up on that initial pain. With the Backpod, we try start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. You toughed through that a lot in one hit - well done! To give you an idea of how tight those joints were - when they're moving fine, then all you feel on the Backpod is a satisfying stretch, no pain. They're only sore when they can't move. The ball is doing a similar stretch; the Backpod does have more oomph and is better, but the ball will help heaps.

[@TheGhostLine]

We are on the same boat! I remember sometimes when I sleep or rest on my bed, I feel like someone is stabbing through my chest and rib bones! It was super super painful plus pain when I turn the slightest of my chest. It is worse now, it began in 2017 and still counting. I did everything such as: MRI for chest pictures, x-ray scans and many more scans including heart and lung scans. I do not know where and how to end this shit permanently. I feel pain when I do anything and I feel extreme pain when I push my chest down! I used to punch my chest real hard to forget the pain but it gets back after a few minutes. Thank you for reading!

[@serrelinda]

@@TheGhostLine If it's accessible to you I highly, highly recommended seeing a professional physical therapist to help you as well. When I hit the limit of my home routine, even though it helped so much, that was really the key at getting me wholly pain free this past year. She helped me strengthen my posture which loosened the ribs and has helped keep that horrible stabbing pain from returning. I wish you a healing journey!

[@TheGhostLine]

@@serrelinda Yes, I will. Thank you!

[@AmbientClassical]

This video saved me from 2 years of chest pain around my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@newchannelwtfwhy]

Hello I'm going through this as of two weeks ago. It's hard to believe that a product can help the inflammation I feel around my heart, causing extreme anxiety. Did you ever have anxiety/heart attack like pain?

[@perfectlysimple1744]

I had my first flare up last night! I thought I was dieing!! It started out faint..thought maybe heartburn. 2 hours later I was thinking I was going to die! Dr today..Then sent to ER. EKG, Chest xray & blood work..all came back good. Costochrondritis was all that was on my diagnosis sheet. Use heat and take Tylenol. 😢😢 Thank You Steve! My Chiropractor will be seeing me soon. Will be ordering the Back Pod!

[@tracy9397]

The Backpod was one of the best investments ever made. Worth every penny! The only thing doctors wanted to do was give me steroids that didn’t do anything for me. This video was very knowledgeable!

[@coffeebean7340]

Same here!!!

[@fabianasenhora4444]

Did you have costocondrities? I’m trying convince myself to get one backpod but I’m afraid to get my pain worse and don’t fix anything

[@johnreyes4273]

@@fabianasenhora4444 i have costs now buy the backpod now and save money on doctor visits

[@stephaniehamlet2474]

@@coffeebean7340 how is your Costco doing ?

[@PoonamSharma-oi8fd]

Please guide me. Where you bought & how much normal life you are living ?

[@maquettemusic1623]

I have costochondritis. Male, 21, Military. Extremely fit and active prior to this. Came on following a big fitness regime including many pushups, when suddenly i felt some hurting on the lower ribs and sternal junction. Costo doesn't just hit the sternal joints however, and can also hurt on the lower ribs but must not be confused with SRS which is diagnosable by often only being on one side and accompanied by movment of the ribs there which causes pain. If you can pull upwards on the lower ribs with minimum pain, it's unlikely to be SRS but see a medical professional. It can happen to anyone, not just women or middle aged and ultimately is severely underdiagnosed yet ever more common as humans are now too sedentary. First things first, this is a problem with the cervical spine and ribcage joints as Steve 100% identifies. This needs to be centre point of your mind, knowing this is entirely a mechanical disorder. Most of mine was caused by poor posture at work, at a desk. Furthermore it was exacerbated by stopping physical fitness. Here's what I did: 1) BUY a proper office chair. An expensive one. One with a headrest to push your spine back on to. Sit up properly and move every 15 mins, don't put your elbows on the table. 2) BUY the backpod. It works, and is one of several tools I recommend alongside: Lacrosse style PT ball for trigger massage, peanut ball, soft and hard foam roller. This arsenal is the biggest tool in beating costochondritis and its going to probably hurt to use, but that's because it's working. Stretch the cervical spine to maximum effect, 3) GET everything you can checked. From AS to heart disorders, make sure you are mentally capable to go forward, unclouded by the pressure and fear of other problems. I went and had an endoscopy. Heart tests, the whole lot. 4) STRETCHES. Learn every stretch on YT and use them all for an hour a day. I flex my entire spine and try to be extremely mobile by twisting and turning in "unnatural" ways (these are natural ways we have forgotten). Get into rock climbing for example! Lean to the sides often, and twist. ANY twinge you feel, do not crack the ribs by leaning back but instead rotate to loosen the ribs, and only crack the ribs when stretching over a foam roller and the backpod. 5) TRY vitamins and a better diet. I have no authority on this other than it helped me. Just take this in your own way, I have no recommendations but to be "healthy". 6) Ibuprofen does work for many. Give it a go, and use it carefully as a supplement to allow you to do the stretches. I'm going to make a video with every stretch I can do to help people out.

[@ed5364]

Hey bro! Please make those videos for the stretches or if you would wanna hit me up also to see what diet I can maybe start with! It would help for sure

[@matst432]

Hey man i got this a month before bootcamp... it came out of nowhere. How do you manage this in the military?

[@maquettemusic1623]

@@matst432 Hey dude, I was a reservist when I got it, now regular, so I was already in. Basic training is most physically intense part of 90% of mil careers. In truth, If you can postpone it, you should. You do not want to be the bloke at the back of the run or the guy hanging out his ass after an obstacle course. Come back fit and healthy, because else you risk losing everyone else's respect and being seen as a biff because your pain will ultimately drag down the team and make it non-combat efficient. Brutal truth, but before Phase one training you need to be the best version of you.

[@karenmorgan8478]

I sure would love to see your video. I've been using the pod and getting deep tissue massages and still not over it yet. Improved but still there after 2 months. Willing to try anything , I do also do the twisting daily. Thanks!!!

[@matst432]

@@karenmorgan8478 posture and sleeping position did it for me

[@Legs94]

27 year old male here who started feeling chest pain/ heart palpitations about 3 months ago. Got very severe pain recently. Followed your video and my right side clicked literally in 1 min of doing the exercise. The relief is indescribable

[@Legs94]

I have more pain in the left side which lead me to ER for heart checkups. The left side is more frozen and needs more time. Appreciate your videos guys 👍

[@glenowen988]

How you feeling?

[@PeachBoiASMR]

This video has changed my life. I was an athletic 21 year old who enjoyed lifting weights and fitness in general a year ago. That was when I injured my clavicle and pec. I thought it would go away but I was unable to lift with my chest or back for a whole year. This caused me to fall into a deep depression and made me not want to do anything. My body deteriorated and I could tell I was getting much less fit but I couldn’t find a solution to the issue. I was just about to give up when I came across this video because I also had developed costochondritis from probably tightness in my back I just didn’t realize it at the time. After watching this video I had a old tennis ball laying around and I laid on it and it hurt very very bad. I also did some back stretches and shoulder stretches and the Costco chondritis I have noticed over the past week has gotten so much better. Not only that my clavicle has felt looser and I’ve actually been able to get back to benchpress again I’m still much weaker than I was before but I feel like I have a solid path forward and I do not feel depressed anymore. This information being out here for free is incredible and I’m so grateful that he’s being put out here for everybody who might have the same issue as me. I just want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for putting out this information and I hope anybody else with this condition can get it solved as quickly as possible.

[@Elennpto]

Hey mate, nice to hear that you got better, how was your condition? Constant pain in your rips/sternum? Do you also had poppings when sneezing? Do your rips popp?

[@PeachBoiASMR]

Mine was popping and clicking in my sc joint and pain in my sternum when putting my arms together and waking up. It wasn’t constant but was painful

[@marcoocram4663]

@@PeachBoiASMR How are you now?

[@PeachBoiASMR]

@@marcoocram4663 pretty much fully recovered. No more pain there anymore.

[@marcoocram4663]

@@PeachBoiASMR what did you do to heal?

[@Capturealohamauiphotographer]

I got chostochondritis with covid. Because it hurt to breathe, I thought covid was going to kill me. I went to the ER and was cleared of all the scary stuff. Two rounds of steroids, but the pain got worse. I’m 3 months in and just received the backpod. I used it for the first time today and felt some relief right away. 🎉

[@davies9955]

How did your recovery go?

[@tammyp8260]

I did too .

[@jeanyardley4696]

Thank you so much for replying to my email this week Steve. So terribly kind of you and affirming that you cared enough to respond to me 🤗. Reading these replies and listening to this latest video gives me hope that I may finally access help. 😢 crying in dreadful pain to my Daughter again this morning. Seeing a physiotherapist this afternoon, ANOTHER shot at getting understanding and help. I am going to use the first part of the consultation to ask him to listen/watch this video! Wishing all us sufferers light hope and pain relief 🙏

[@StormOracle]

Thank you, Bob, Brad, and Steve. I just ordered the Backpod and we're going to try it out and report back to our listeners the results. We'll let you know too. I developed Costochondritis after covid and now it's worse due to a cold with coughing fits. After open-heart surgery, my business partner gets intense pain that moves to different areas of his chest. His doctors have never been able to figure out what's going on. This is the first thing that speaks to me as an answer for both of us. Thank you again, Cindy

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Cindy. Good - well done on thinking for yourself. Look, open heart surgery is almost a guarantee of costo - for perfectly logical reasons. The figures are appalling - up to 70% of open chest surgery patients still have pain a year after the op. To get in to do the (completely necessary and skilled) surgery on the heart or lungs, the ribs have to be cranked apart and held like that for the op. The surgeons use big stainless steel claw things to do this - either coming in through the side of the rib cage, or cranking the sternum apart once they’ve cut down its length. The strain on the rib joints around the back is massive. So after the op is over, normal scarring repair glues up the rib joints round the back. When they can’t move, the joints at the other ends of the ribs where they join onto your breastbone HAVE to move excessively just to let you breathe. This is unequivocal. So these joints strain, give, irritate, inflame - and welcome to costo. You get a double hit with a sternal split, because the scarring repair also binds down the nerves on the breastbone, making them hypersensitive. This is described in more detail in the Pain after Surgery section on the Backpod’s website - link is www.bodystance.co.nz/en/other-conditions/ The point is that this is all completely logical - this really is not a “mysterious inflammation” that just coincidentally happened along after your surgery. You can treat it logically, but now it’s a physio-type problem, NOT a surgical or inflammatory one. However the docs don’t usually get that, so they’re not good at it - it’s not their area. It is Bob's and Brad's and mine. Costo is also common after much coughing - from the 'flu, pneumonia, and now Covid-19. It is not, repeat not, the infection itself that brings on the costo, but the coughing. Coughing is a surprisingly strong percussive impact on the whole rib cage. I’ve seen cracked ribs from it, and not just in little old ladies. If the rib cage joints around the back are frozen solid and can’t move a little to absorb that shock, then the whole jolt hits the more delicate rib joints on your breastbone. So they strain and give - with every cough. It’s a lot like repeatedly hitting a sprained ankle with a hammer. And welcome to costochondritis. It’s NOT a “mysterious inflammation” appearing for no reason. The costo can stay even after the infection that caused the coughing has settled. The immobile rib joints at the back stay frozen, so the badly strained rib joints on your breastbone just continue straining, with every breath you take. This will usually get missed, by doctors and patients seeing it in terms of a lingering COVID-19 infection, which it isn’t. So there’s an expectation it’ll just settle down, as the infection has. Statistically, most of it doesn’t. It seems that you only start off costo this way if the rib cage machinery around your back is tight before the coughing starts. Unfortunately that’s really common anyway. So many people now have the iHunch from much bending over laptops, tablets and smartphones - see www.bodystance.co.nz/en/ihunch/ The rib joints round the back get tight along with the spinal joints, and that sets you up for straining the rib joints at the front if you start coughing. We fix it, logically enough, by freeing up the tight rib machinery around the back. See the Costochondritis page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/ Good luck with the work. Cheers, Steve August.

[@JA99]

Update?

[@Tellathus]

Thank you so much for this video. After constant ER trips and being told nothing is wrong with me I thought I was loosing my mind with panic attacks and anxiety all the time. I started crying when you brought up anxiety and finally feel like someone knows whats wrong with me. Thank you for all your work. I feel like I have the power to reclaim my life again

[@MultimediaIreland]

I have this for over 30 years, the agonizing pain started in the teenage years. My main trigger is always cold temperatures, I spent many Christmases basically paralyzed. Deep breathes and laughing bring agony, but the worst thing to happen is sneezing. As I'm older now the pain is not as intense, very manageable. My treatment from doctors was always pain killers and direct injections to the back. I cannot wait to start treating it with that device. I've been partially fixing the problem for years with stretches and working on the back with a foam roller, until now I've never known why this was helpful, I still describe this as inflammation to myself. Despite this description of myself, I'm very athletic and active, until I'm not, knotted in pain. My cause was physical trauma of the area when a child. Edit: Just listening to the last segment, Steve reminded me of how I used to describe the pain in a severe bout, it is like you've had a metal bar rammed through your back, through the front and you're frozen immobilized impaled on the bar, a prisoner of pain, as moving is agony, breathing deeply is also agony.

[@sandra.louize]

Greatest video ever so many people have choctochondritis for years and have no idea how to fix due to the medical field just more excuses to write up prescriptions and not treat or talk about the problem

[@Contracrostics]

A hero interviewing another hero, thank you docs.

[@kimberlylachona9338]

Ty I’m better … hospitalized and sadly they missed it….so grateful 4 u

[@Saucyakld]

I thank goodness for my GP in Auckland New Zealand. She diagnosed mine straight away and sent me to a physiotherapist that dealt with that. She used the same therapy. I got better week after week and now I have no more problems

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Gidday Tineke. Good! That's how it should go. This is the normal response to treatment. Costo should be a straightforward, readily fixable problem. And so it is, with good manual physiotherapy in New Zealand and Australia. We were flabbergasted to discover it's generally not seen and fixed the same way in the rest of the world. Cheers, Steve August.

[@stephaniehamlet2474]

@@stevenzphysio4203 I been on the backpod for three months now my pain is now mild I been doing the exercises in your videos putting the anti-inflammatory gel on twice. My main concern is I keep getting shortness of breath even though I stretch out fine on the backpod the only part I gotta work on is the front where the pectoralis muscle are that part is stuff I still use the backpod just the ribs above where my collar bone and pectoralis muscle are can you give me a general idea what else I have to do?

[@Patrollin-Gu]

Thank you so much for making this video! I'm almost in tears knowing that what I'm going through is treatable! I'm 27 and have had costo for just over a year and it's horrible! And not just physically but mentally! I was 6 months into a carpentry apprenticeship when I had to pull out because I just couldn't push through the pain on the daily anymore! I just ordered the backpod online after finishing this video and I've never been more excited for a package to arrive in my life! If this works for me (which I'm sure it will!) I'm going to actually be the happiest person in the world! I can't wait to try it out! I will report back in probably about a month and give you guys an update!! Fingers Crossed! Thank you again for giving me hope!

[@stephaniebabcock5757]

Did it work?

[@JJDogz]

any updates mate? have costo for 6 months now and light pain free stretching and loosening up your spine and tight muscles helped me. since it's all connected. posture has a big impact as well.

[@Mindful_mvs]

This is amazing content, thank you so much Bob and Steve - I have been in so much pain and it is such a dear area to feel it all that agony, especially close to the heart! It is so scary and I am forever grateful to have found this video. I can't believe you have been through for 7 years. What a trooper x love you both. Hang in there friends we will get through this

[@Tutiwashername]

I’m yrs late to these videos! I’ve been suffering from this for 20ish years. It’s beyond frustrating and expensive. I’ve honestly have been in the ER and so many docs. Like an embarrassing amount. I never had an answer until a few yrs back, but no cure. Ride it out. Live your life. What!!! This is a very painful condition. I gave up basically everything I love exercise wise do to this. I’ve stayed home during outings, in case of an attack/flare up. I ordered the back pod just a few hours ago. I pray it works. I’d love to get me back. I’m so glad you’re so passionate about this. I am guessing mine came from a c-section and they pulled up on one rib and pushed down on the other. I had a spinal block and was screaming in pain. This needs to get out there more for people who suffer.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Amy. I sympathise. I often get asked how long does costo last for, and how long does it take to "heal". The answer is it's not really a healing problem. It's not just a matter of waiting for it to settle down. You can freeze up the joint rib movement around the back (in various ways) and it can just stay frozen indefinitely - until you actually go and free it off yourself. Until you do, the rib joints at the other ends of the same ribs, where they hinge onto your breastbone, will just keep straining and hurting. That's what costo is. Sorry about your 20ish years. You are not alone - the record so far that I know of is a lady in the UK who had costo for 30+ years, and fixed it. Last heard, was going for daily walks again and had started back into the gym. I had it for 7 years myself, before becoming a physio in New Zealand and fixing it completely. Well done on thinking for yourself. DO please follow the user guide instructions accurately. It'll take time to stretch the joints free, and they will protest a bit. Do all the other bits in the user guide too - you'll need them. Especially, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages shown - you'll be tight and scarred in the muscles overlying the frozen ribs. Good luck with the work!

[@Tutiwashername]

Thank you, and thank you for designing the Backpod. I feel 85% better. I never knew how my spine played into this. It feels like it’s on fire sometime and never thought it as a backache( before a flare) I’ve come a long way in 5 months. Anti inflammatory diet, no more meds.

[@annetteperryman9418]

This video has me in tears 😭. This is exactly what I’ve been going through. I was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in upper back. Spondylitis on the bottom spine. 6 herniated/bulging disk in my neck and upper back. 2mm bulging in all disk. Pain in between upper shoulder blades. Stabbing pain in the chest. Thank you for they info!

[@satyasinghbhati8567]

God damn, all these seems to be the by product of Spondlytis.. I hope you find peace in all the pain.

[@annetteperryman9418]

@@satyasinghbhati8567 Thank you! Me too.

[@faaazzahmed7331]

Iv similar pains but also in my biceps 💪 can u relate to this ??

[@ilovejustinvernon]

look up Dr Sarno.

[@DaveFallows]

Exactly Steve. I went to my GP back in the summer of 2017 when this first flared up (36/M). They ruled out heart issues or lung cancer, told me to stop smoking a weekly joint, all that - and that it would just go away on it's own. Six months later it was getting worse so I went back. Long story short I ended up going for an endoscopy (which was hell) to rule out any stomach problems. After that I completely gave up and didn't go back because I didn't want to be too much of a nag. Four years later I'm self-diagnosing Costochondritis and making big steps towards getting rid of it. I'm combining Judo (I know!) and stretches with vitamin D and fish oil. You would not believe how happy I am to finally be rid of chest pain that's been bothering me for over four years.

[@Tempplee]

hello bro a question were you cured? and by joints you mean weed?

[@aditgarg93]

How you cured this???

[@stephaniegutierrez6222]

How did you cure it?

[@brycepatingre]

Wild. You and I share almost an identical story. Cardiac, pulmonary, and gastro doctors have all drawn blanks after a stress test, breath test, and endoscopy. Good news: nothing wrong there. Bad news: pain persists. Going to see a chiropractor this week because my primary doctor suggested this just might be the problem we’ve been trying to solve. Fingers crossed, the chiropractor and some stretching will begin to solve my pain.

[@stephaniegutierrez6222]

@@brycepatingre Will you please keep me posted after the chiropractor? I’ve also been going to physical therapy and I have been improving. They pointed out that the muscles in my mid back are very weak and everything else is overcompensating for that. But I still feel like I also might need an adjustment to get things back into place in my upper spine.

[@moniquehuchet3646]

I did experience that knife pain on the left chest, it woke me up and I debated should I call the ambulance, I massaged the area for a while and fell back to sleep. I remembered that it might be related to having my ribs broken in that area when I was 10 years old, it was not diagnosed and I learned when I was pregnant and the pain appeared my doctor concluded my broken ribs has healed with adhesions to the pleura. It explained why I couldn’t blow a balloon or swim under water to hold a note in a song. I learn to live with it and the occasional chest pain. Now 86 I brought it to my doctor because bad position in bed triggered that scared sharp pain, I am waiting for the CT scan result. I am it in a panic over it. Your explanations satisfies me, thank you. At 86, with inflammation flare ups all over the body Costochondritis makes sense.

[@ericlyons6251]

What an absolute public service this is. I’ve had Costo for years, day 2 of using the BackPod. Fingers crossed.

[@yunglord.8170]

Any luck ?

[@Adonisdelgado]

How is it going now ?

[@Henry-tg4ki]

hows it going now

[@julierood1228]

Thank you SO MUCH guys! I have been to the ER 3 times for this painful malady. I am very grateful for this video. Thank you Bob and Brad, and physiotherapist Steve August. Bless you all. ;-)

[@dannyginsburg25]

I’ve been dealing with costochondritis for over 4 months now and haven’t been able to kick it. Very appreciative of this video. Thank you Bob and Steve!!

[@coffeebean7340]

As a PTA I have been trying to resolve my costochondritis based on other PT recommendations. I have been suffering with this for over a year, constantly reaggravating while working on patients. I've been using this backpod for a little over a week and am already significantly better with less thoracic tightness on rotation to the restricted side as well as significantly less sternum/SC joint symptoms. I plan on referencing you and your backpod during my companies next training session with all of our PTs and PTAs. Thankyou!

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi. Well done on thinking for yourself. I do sympathise - I know how hard it is to care for patients when you're in pain yourself. As PTs, we should be treating and fixing costo - it's essentially a PT problem, not a medical one amenable to medications. The standard PT strengthen and stretching exercise approach on its own does not work with costochondritis - it's not like a muscle strain, say. Any mobility or stretching exercise will just strain further the already strained and straining rib joints on your sternum, way before you can get a benefit to the tight rib joints round the back. You have to specifically free up the frozen rib and thoracic joints around the back first. The Backpod is ideal for that, because it'll actually do an effective stretch on the shortened collagen of the ligaments, fascia and joint capsules around the immobile joints at the back, but without flaring up the sternocostal joints around the front. A foam roller, for instance, can't, because its long cylindrical shape spreads the upper body weight too much to effectively stretch the rib joints; the small peaked shape of the Backpod is ideal. Have a look at the video I made on the actual research on costochondritis - link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmnOY395gcqFaJY That will give you a clear idea on why the docs usually get costo wrong, and what actually does help. (The very best piece of published evidence is from two US PTs in Fargo - Zaruba and Wilson.) If you'd like to email me on [e-mail], I'll flick you some further info for PTs and docs on costo and the practical treatment of it. Cheers, Steve August.

[@jodymaloygomez7307]

I’ve been to ER 3 times in 20 years every time I feel like a knife is twisting in my chest. I feel like it could be fatal. The last flare up hasn’t fully gone away I only get some relief from chiropractor. I can’t wait to get the back pod. Wish I could have heard this 20 years ago. Thank you for the interview.

[@kingzriot976]

Did it work?

[@jodymaloygomez7307]

Just to follow up. It took a few months to feel results but they are significant. Gave me my life back. I still use almost daily and visit chiropractor. I had to go very slowly with this therapy because at first it feels like laying on the pod will trigger the symptoms- but now months later I look forward to the stretch.

[@iloveejbgssnoopy]

I am dealing with costochondritis and it hurts, thank you for this video and this important information to help me.

[@iammeallday]

I was diagnosed in my 20s I am now 42 and still.deal.with it triggered by stress and anxiety. I have been to the hospital ER urgent care ,nothing is wrong given antiinflammatories. It's a pain that I wouldn't wish on anyone

[@ginagroom1380]

You are so brave to publish this video. I totally agree. I'm a soft tissue therapist in the UK.

[@sailstomars]

I developed this in september 2022 out of nowhere on my right side of sternum and upper ribs (where I have slight pectus excavatum), I say "out of nowhere" as seemingly... Could have been after I had covid this summer, truly unsure though. What has been working for me these past few weeks since I just became totally sick of going through it is: (DAILY for everything here)...Costo stretching videos on youtube, foam roller, tennis ball massages on my back, movement of my spine, deep breathing, conscious good posture. No backpod yet, but its on the purchase list for this month, sleeping flat on my back ( no side sleeps), and eating anti inflammatory foods + I take one spoonful of vitamin c lipsomal 2000 mg. My costo has improved very quickly doing these things. To note - not sure if any other women who have this: During PMS week and when i get my period it goes away completely then comes back every time for two ish weeks. Which is very mysterious. I am praying this heals! and i am praying for all of you! this shit is extremely frustrating/painful and I feel for all who experience this :(

[@MrTrevorg18]

Same boat here. Been 8 months for me. It never fully goes away, but i do have some days where its barely noticeable. Hope it gets better for you

[@fernandorodriguez7763]

It took 9 days to fix my breast bone area and back pain ,also neck this thing works 100%

[@Lolimiggi]

Thank you bob and brad, your other video referring to Steve lead me here, I feel heard, I could cry. Having a bad sternum day which lead me here. It’s been maybe 6 months of the issue and it’s hell some days. Gonna order a back pod, but have used some rolled up socks already and immediately feel a smidgen better. Thank you thank you thank you 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@williammanson2873]

Just ordered today, been in pain for 2 yrs with no luck and no answers from doctors....Hoping this will seal the deal!

[@brianjones2891]

I just want to thank you guys for this video. I have been dealing with Dr.'s for 3 years trying to find my check pain, numbness down my left arm and face. I have had x-rays, 3 MRIS's and I results. I would explain to them that I would get stuck and can't stand up straight until my ribs pop very painfully and audibly that makes my girlfriend wince..lol. This video is exactly what I have. My physical therapist didnt even know what was going on. Thank you so much.

[@susi3639]

Thank you so much! I do feel guilty because my mother in law probably had costochondrtis after her heart surgery and we thought she wasn't trying to get back to her old self...very sad 😔.

[@DjDugiUK]

Steve August is a genius. I'm from the UK. During lockdown I came across the backpod and his online videos. After ruling out heart issues I discovered the term costrochondritis, and knew right away it was this. Sharp Sharp pain left of sternum. Sleeping on one side, Reaching to a cupboard, putting a seat belt on. Sweeping up with a broom, all trigger points for me. He kindly messaged me, and advised how to use the back pod in conjunction with a sports massage. BINGO. The medical field are wrong about this subject. Steve is 100% correct. People buy thus product. Worth every penny and we'll built. Do use it regular, as it may come back mine did when I stopped using it. Est 6 months.

[@Clairebearthegoodfinder]

I have a reoccurring issue with this 😢 and you want to help how refreshing. I was climbing mountains as well and bam 💥. It keeps me down. I am so excited.

[@kathiefleming2830]

God bless you! Sorry you suffered for so long but your suffering finally bore fruit to help others. I agree that the voices of other sufferers is valued more than standard methods of operations in medicine today. They just won’t or can’t think or explore causes they just write a prescription.

[@Abraham-jc5sd]

When this thing happens, it is normally the doctor's call which test best applies. Trial and sometimes often misdiagnosed and may given the wrong medication. This video a must to watch for open knowledge that chest pain is not limited directly to cardiovascular issues but it could be the rib cages are giving up or issue in this regard. Bringing to the doctor in the hospital, in case, is still the best SOP to eliminate the possible cause of the problem and to cure. But it would be a big help if the medical doctors are aware about this video. Thank you for sharing your God given talent. :-)

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Sure. Chest pain should always be seen by a doctor or ED first, and urgently - in case it's the heart or anything else dire. The docs are very good at checking out those possibilities. They're just usually not good on costo. That's one of the things Bob and I were discussing in the video.

[@Miask07]

I had a car accident in 2015 a car got inside my van from back, my van full stop with breaks , I had my head out of the window and I was twisted with seat belt and they never believed all the pain that I had all this years and basically called psycho because the said I was crazy, and I was telling that I can breathe and they chose don’t help me in court and I still have al the pain and all the problems. THANKS 🙏

[@camilleswiontek5708]

Thank you, thank you for explaining what I have suffered for 10 years and was never diagnosed.

[@BobandBrad]

You are so welcome!

[@cherylking9889]

Looooove you guys Bob and Brad. So much help for me, my family, and my clients-I teach therapeutic yoga. Thank you for interviewing Steve August. His videos and backpod are a lifesaver. Costochondritis is so very painful. I got the backpod and have used daily for 3 weeks before I began to really feel some relief. I also do the massage and stretching the ribs that August recommends. I had my masseuse do exactly as he prescribes. Thank you Steve August for giving such detailed advice. BTW, backpod changed my neck after first week. I have discovered a new sense of freedom in my neck and shoulders. I had no pain here, but just find there is now no crunch and more ease and space in neck and shoulders. This is a welcome, unexpected bonus!

[@BobandBrad]

Great to hear

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

Hi Cheryl, great news! I got my back pod yesterday and starting to work with it a lot - I do hear it takes some time to get results so I will just keep at it daily along with my stretching and yoga too - this is a horrible condition to live with and it has affected me mentally as well and given me lots of anxiety to boot.

[@12isrealxa]

When you get a massage what area do you need to focus on?

[@JA99]

I got covid pneumonia 4 weeks ago and have been in the ER 5 times for chest pains and heart palpitations. Every Dr. Dismissed me because all tests came back ok. They just said I'm a covid long hauler. Thankfully heart and lungs good, but still in excruciating pain. No doctor every mentioned anything about this. Just keep trying to pump me up with drugs. I just ordered this back pod and I can't wait to see the results. Thank you so much for this information!

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Yep - I'm swamped with enquiries about costo ongoing after covid-19. Coughing is a classic trigger of costochondritis - from pneumonia, the flu, just a bad cold - and now COVID-19. It is not, repeat not, the infection itself that brings on the costo, but the coughing. With Covid, just the rib cage muscle spasm can be enough to set it all off. Coughing is a surprisingly strong percussive impact on the whole rib cage. I’ve seen cracked ribs from it, and not just in little old ladies. If the rib cage joints around the back are frozen solid and can’t move a little to absorb that shock, then the whole jolt hits the more delicate rib joints on your breastbone. So they strain and give - with every cough. It’s a lot like repeatedly hitting a sprained ankle with a hammer. And welcome to costochondritis. It’s NOT a “mysterious inflammation” appearing for no reason. The costo can stay even after the infection that caused the coughing has settled. The immobile rib joints at the back stay frozen, so the badly strained rib joints on your breastbone just continue straining, with every breath you take. This will usually get missed, by doctors and patients seeing it in terms of a lingering COVID-19 infection, which it isn’t. So there’s an expectation it’ll just settle down, as the infection has. Statistically, most of it doesn’t. You only start off costo this way if the rib cage machinery around your back is tight before the coughing starts. Unfortunately that’s really common anyway. So many people now have the iHunch from much bending over laptops, tablets and smartphones - see my discussion with Bob about the iHunch. The rib joints round the back get tight along with the spinal joints, and that sets you up for straining the rib joints at the front if you start coughing. We fix it, logically enough, by freeing up the tight rib machinery around the back. See the Costochondritis page on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/

[@JA99]

@@stevenzphysio4203 thank you for your reply, it makes so much sense! I have been using back pod for 4 days now and some stretches recommended by Bob and Brad and already feeling relief after weeks of agony! For anyone else with similar symptoms, I hardly had any coughing with covid, but as mentioned I definitely had iHunch beforehand. I sit at a desk all day and throughout pandemic have been working from my couch! I was sleeping on my side while dealing with chest pressure pain from pneumonia and that must have pushed it over the edge causing the costocondritis. I look forward to using the back pod every day now!

[@areguapiri]

Stop the convid19 nonsense.

[@hdhani87]

Was waiting for this! Great watch. Had costo on and off for many years and had a bad flare up recently. Using the backpod seems to help I just need to use it more often and get rid of this problem permanently somehow!

[@nadab4750]

When you use the Backpod are you using pillows for your head/neck at first (as recommended)? This will make it more comfortable. Move the pod around to different parts of your spine (above waist) and 10cm either side of this part of your spine. Try to "let go" and relax until you feel the need to move the pod to a new position. I actually fell asleep on occasion! Perhaps some meditation music may help? I think being able to relax completely is the key until you find the spot that unlocks the ribcage hinge that is causing the costo pain. I remember that I feeling a gentle "pop" and from then my pain has never returned. I was fortunate that I only had to use the Backpod about 3 or 4 times. Please persist, because the constant costo pain can also affect your mental health and quality of life. Good luck! 👱‍♀️❤

[@shawnbidwell2936]

@@nadab4750 77

[@deno12121]

I fractured my sternum many yrs ago, I was continuously in the ER with chest pains thinking the worst, I had endless test ran on my heart which all came back fine then finally the fracture was found. Recently the chest pains have returned and everything begins said her sounds exactly like my symptoms. Thanks for this video.

[@BobandBrad]

Good luck! Bob

[@GTMamaBear]

This popped up in my feed like KZbin read my mind... I have been diagnosed with costochondritis and I often feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. I look forward to integrating this advice. Thank you!

[@notyourblonde]

I had that in February, praise God it was on my right side ! So that saved me an ER visit and $$$$$. My pain reached off the charts 12 over a period of 1 pm to 5 pm....... I used magnesium oil under the tongue, brought pain down to an 8 within half an hour. Went to chiropractor which helped, he was freaked out suggested i go to doctor......2 days later and another adjustment with another magnesium dose, the spasm was 95% gone. A week later it woke me out of sleep and I claimed by the blood of Jesus it was not gonna escalate, it would be dissolved and I was not having it again. Next thing that happened, I woke up in the morning for work as usual. Came to understand it was tied to a need to release an emotional tie.

[@amymonelall6056]

I got this about 4 months now and nothing is helping none of the tablets nothing i got middle chest pain and back pain with it

[@sweetcaramel4750]

Hello so are You saying that Costochondritis is also caused by emotional stress because I also feel this too sometimes forgive Me if I misunderstood You

[@notyourblonde]

I could feel the vertebre in my spine that was effected also, and yes, emotional issue tied to the episode. Once i let go, Completely forgave the offense and asked Abba Father to forgive me for the unresolved anger ot helped greatly. 80 to 90% of human physical issues stem from emotional or spiritual issues. The Mg oil i used is from LL Magnetic Clay, called Ancient Minerals. Use it topically. I used it under my tongue but I am fully aware of my body and its functioning. You CAN use epsom salts and soak in the bathtub with the warmest water you can handle and 2 to 4 cups epsom salts. I find that lack of minerals of some sort will cause me structural issues also.

[@sweetcaramel4750]

@Vape Girl w WOW Thank You I wasn't too sure Now I know because of You Thank You 😊 God Bless You Always ❤

[@socalgingerjohnson]

I had this in 2017. Very little help from the medical world or my chiropractor. Thank you for addressing this.

[@BobandBrad]

You’re welcome 😊

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

Medical doctors know sooo little about this condition. Do the research and educate yourself - but I also highly advise seeing a very good physiotherapist - that helped me tremendously along with Steve August and Bob and Brad of course!! :) But I'm working with it every day and some days are better than others - it's a tough condition to live with on a daily basis.

[@hadassasson4935]

EXCELLENT! Thank you so much for bringing Steve August and asking the right questions!

[@BobandBrad]

Our pleasure! Brad

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

Steve August has helped me so much dealing with costochondritis, it is also reassuring to know that he struggled for years with costochondritis

[@jeffbarnes609]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! After only weeks of CC, I was at wit's end of "What is this? "As part of my newly discovered Stage 4 Lung Cancer, I have had several CT scans, an MRI and a PET scan. None of which showed any conventional "injury", even when I asked the attending Doctor to scroll through the images from all the scans image by image. My pain was sort of brushed off in their well-placed concern to get me started on Chemo Therapy for the Cancer. Basically, wandering alone through unknown territory, I dreaded going to bed at night, knowing the pain coming when I rolled onto one side or the other. Forced Back sleeping was no help either, either on or off a 10 degree wedge pillow and bolsters to keep from sliding down during the night. Yesterday was the WORST qnd I shuffled to my computer, opened KZbin and entered "pain in the sternum." VOILA! I have ordered my BackPod await it's arrival. Great Podcast.

[@maquettemusic1623]

Best of luck with chemo Jeff.

[@aprilcockin5733]

Hope all goes well for you Jeff🤞

[@katie1897]

Bob and brad I hope you spread this info all across America! A lot of PTs and chiros are so “holier than thou” almost, and won’t ever change their minds or techniques.

[@aissatoudiouf2245]

Make so much sense Now i can spleep at night Thank you so much

[@jeremyevans8601]

Thanks to all. I've got the remedial advice I need, at long last

[@nicholaslovell3380]

thanks for this video and spreading the word on this! my girlfriend has been struggling with this condition for a few months, and the US medical system has been utterly failing her. the anti-inflammatory treatments do nothing for the core problem.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Nicholas. Yep - you've put it in a nutshell. Costo is essentially a mechanical, physio(PT)-type problem. It's NOT a "mysterious inflammation" - that's why anti-inflammatories don't fix it. There is existing, published, peer-reviewed medical research showing this. Sigh..

[@stephaniehamlet2474]

Did your girlfriend recover from Costco?

[@petrapedia]

This is SO RELEVANT to patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Yes, it is. There is an association between EDS and costo. But EDS just of itself doesn't cause costo. The usual story is that you've had EDS all your life, but costo only more recently (though it's not going away once it's there). The considerations with EDS are that the joints are hypermobile (move heaps) and the skin and muscle can bruise easily. However you can have EDS with all the general excessive joints and muscle mobility it brings, and still jam up some of the rib hinges (usually from impact, strain or much coughing) and therefore set off the costochondritis overuse pain around the front. The EDS patients I've seen over the years have all been the same pattern - jammed up specific spinal or rib joints, even though their general joint system is hypermobile. People who are just naturally and generally flexible get this same pattern. Because they're so flexible (and EDS types are even more so), you can jam a specific joint or two and they can just stay jammed like that. This is because everything else is moving so well (and with EDS often excessively) that their own movements and exercises haven't got enough leverage to drag the specifically stuck hinges free. So the jammed bits just get tighter and stay like that. I've certainly seen them jammed up like that for years. In fact I don't really see how the stuck hinges actually could free up just with time or your own movements. I had costo for seven years after I jammed up my own posterior ribs after a climbing fall, and none of my own exercises or movements (including yoga) could free them, even though I'm merely flexible. It took a specific outside force to do it (manipulation followed by specific stretching of the collagen around the joints). You can fix them by very specific hands-on manual treatment just to free up only the stuck bits. General exercises don't work. Also you have to go gently and carefully otherwise they'll bruise. The Backpod, used cautiously, is an ideal answer, I think. It's not traumatic, so shouldn't bruise and flare things - you're just lying back on it with enough pillows under your head so that it's just a bit uncomfortable initially; definitely not too painful. It's quite specific for individual ribs and spinal joints, so you can stretch just the ones which are tight and need it, and not the whole spine which is already super-flexible and doesn't need more. The tricky bit is that you need to use it yourself just on the tight bits and not elsewhere. In practice, with the EDS patients I've seen, but also with the heaps of merely flexible patients I've seen, this is pretty intuitive and not difficult. If you've been living with EDS, you'll know what feels right. Patients nearly always do. The other thing I do find handy with EDS generally is Pilates. You do want good muscle support for the excessively moving joints, and Pilates is a particularly low stress non-jolting way to quietly build up that surrounding support muscle. (But you still need to free up the specific tight joints too.) Good spotting from you. Cheers, Steve August.

[@johnhaywood6358]

Mine was caused by using non powered hedge clippers. Drs had no idea what it was. It lasted over a year. If I moved the wrong way the center of my chest and right side rib cage would spasm. It felt like I was being stabbed in the center of my chest with a long hot knife. My defensive move was to immediately to stretch backwards. To date it was the most pain I was ever in. It has returned after years but this time right frontal rib cage around to the back. Thankfully not in the center of my chest. Great video. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@BobandBrad]

Thank YOU for sharing !

[@mariachivers2503]

Mine is exactly the same, a sharp knife in the middle of the rib cage being well now well done well on that. You can’t imagine any more pain! Thank you for sharing yours

[@nadab4750]

I had diagnosed costochondritis a year ago. I was in constant pain. It even hurt to breathe, Codeine and anti-inflammatories could not relieve the intense and debilitating pain. It was also affecting my mental health. Thankfully after Bob and Brad's recomendation, reading about the product, Steve August (the inventor of the Back Pod) and real customer reviews; I bought the "Back Pod" on Amazon. I was hesitant because of the price, but I am so glad I did, because after using it 3-4 times, my costocondritis disappeared within a few days. It hasn't returned even in the slightest after a year. I can't promise that this would be the same successful result for everyone, but it worked for me. I hope everyone can find permanent relief from this horrible condition. 👱‍♀️❤

[@robertbradley4014]

Hello Nada, how are you?

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

Awesome news! This is a horrible condition to live with - I've had it for about 7 months now - I did get the back pod yesterday and starting to work with it - I will let you know what happens but after a few days I'm already feeling some relief from the daily pain - also doing a ton of stretching and yoga too.

[@nadab4750]

@@patrickhandlovsky7665 That's great Patrick. I remember that I started using the Backpod by also having pillows under head to help me relax. (As the instructions suggest). When in position, place & the Backpod to wherever you feel your spine and mid/upper back needs it (10cm either side of the spine). When it's in position, relax and "let go". The final time I used it I felt a release with a little soft "pop" in my ribs. I had an inkling then that I had found the problem point. If I was you, I would not do any twisting/contorting of my body, as that was what caused my costo in the first place. It happened when I turned, twisted and reached for something in the back seat of my car. Good luck! 👱‍♀️❤

[@kamranshafqat166]

@@patrickhandlovsky7665 Patrick what about your results about backpodd

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

@@kamranshafqat166 it's been a mixed result with me so far with the back pod - I think I went too aggressively with it initially and it made my back even more sore - so I eased off on it a bit and continued my daily morning stretches and yoga - this has helped a lot as I had a big flare up playing with the band yesterday - it seems that drumming - as you are using your whole body - especially core work - that my costo flares up like no tomorrow when I drum. I have also completely stopped the weights too for months as this flared it up too - dealing with the daily pain is very challenging but I am devising coping mechanisms that are helping - also, I have found (and this is for anyone reading too to help) taking a couple aspirin (aspirin is highly anti-inflamatory) - really helps with the pain when I get a major flare up like yesterday. It works for me - everyone's body is different but boy does it help me! I will utilize this method with the next shows with the band - and then will have to take a leave of absence till I can figure this horrible condition. Best to everyone here with this - this is a horrible thing to live with on a daily basis.

[@firetea775]

I'm from New Zealand and am so disheartened by the 10 or more medical staff I have gone too about my chest pain, (ER doctors/nurses, general practioners and physiotherapists) to be told the pain is in my head and I'm over reacting. Good to hear there may be a physical component to my pain that I have the ability to treat. I don't know how much of the disregard by medical staff is because I am a young/fit woman that somehow it is impossible for me to feel excruciating, panic inducing pain. The chest pain lines up very well with costochondritis, I need to do as much as I can to not be crippled by this pain. Thank you so much for this info! It is life changing for me. All those ER visits make a lot more sense now.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Well, we're trying to change that. I've been lecturing to the docs and physios at various conferences in NZ. Doesn't sound as though you hit health pros who've been to them. Pity. Are you still in NZ?

[@firetea775]

@Steve NZ Physio most definitely a worthy cause! And yep still in NZ

[@karla1926]

I had cosco for months i have faith you can save my life 😭😥 i just heard about the back pod today.

[@carolj.3175]

Just heard 2 Days ago, my pod arrived tomorrow. I bought a knock off that looked the same. Hope it works. If not I'll return it. Good luck with yours.

[@GillianHale]

Hi from Australia! I just received my backpod yesterday and I'm a 35yr old retired dancer with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and costo from an old rib injury sustained on "The Zipper" carnival ride and also have a frozen shoulder, so I often get nerve entrapment in the trap aswell. After using it for the first time yesterday I was able to free up the nerve and felt my muscles relax properly for the first time in 6 years after so many physios etc. I can't wait to keep using it daily and see how my progress comes along, it's the first time I've been hopeful in a very long time thankyou fellas!

[@nadab4750]

It was interesting and scary to hear that you got costo from The Zipper carnival ride. I got costo after turning and reaching for my handbag that I (unusually) had put behind my seat in the back of my car. The only reason that I had done this (that fateful day) was because someone had gifted me some chocolate! I didn't want it to melt from the warmth of the heater near the foot-well of the front passenger seat. The Back Pod worked for me after using it just 3-4 times, hopefully it will work for you. I followed the instructions and haven't had any costo pain whatsoever for almost a year. Good luck! (BTW, I'm in Australia too).👱‍♀️❤

[@Jedi-law]

Oh I can’t wait to get my back pod. I have been dealing with this for so many years I don’t even remember how long. 15 plus years. Chiro and massage have done nothing over the years. So I have just lived with the discomfort

[@JLNATION_REACTZZ]

Hey Steve!! I get my backpod in 3 More days! I had it for 3 months now!! I pray it works.. it’s very painful!

[@gloriajuarez7520]

Did it wrk?

[@ing.michalsupka9220]

I suffered for almost two years and the doctors only gave me medicine and some exercises that didn't help. After purchasing this tool, my problems disappeared. I use BackPod morning and night even though I don't have problems anymore.

[@marcus_mnb2257]

This has been amazing to listen to that k you so much , I've suffered with problems for such a long time and recently also got diagnosed with costochondritis and medication just feels like it's covering the problem. And because of this my anxiety has been through the roof since it's my left side that has been effected. Everytime I've tried to search costochondritis it's like this is either this or heart attack and that's such a scary thing to have to see with every search

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Marcus. Think of it like having the hand brake jammed on in the car. The vehicle's fine, it's just that one bit of seized machinery that's the problem. We were gobsmacked to discover that the rest of the world doesn't see costo in the same sensible research-supported way that my manual physiotherapy area does in New Zealand. Of course you can't fix it with medications - it's simply not that sort of a problem.

[@lostliger34]

A very valuable lecture. Can't thank you enough 🌹

[@RoseJackson79]

Thank you, Bob, and especially thank you Steve for finding a cure for Costochondritis. I believe I got this in July of 2019 and it has not gone away yet. I'm looking so forward to getting your back pod and alleviating this chronic pain. Maybe my panic attacks will also slow down and quit altogether.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hello, Rose. Anxiety and panic attacks are common with costochondritis. The tight rib machinery round the back that causes the rib joints on your breastbone to strain, also means you can't take a full breath in - it's like wearing a tight corset. So that makes you breathe high and fast, and that hyperventilation pushes you towards panic attacks, and certainly anxiety. It's all classic costo.

[@RoseJackson79]

@@stevenzphysio4203 I wish my doctor believed this.

[@RoseJackson79]

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thank you again Steve and I totally agree. I have gone back to physical therapy where the p.t. is trying to teach me exercises to breathe again, although the pain I feel afterwards physically incapacitates me for almost a week after the appointment. I'm ready to quit.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

@@RoseJackson79 Hi Rose. Well, I'm a physio myself. I just wouldn't approach it that way. My experience is that trying to fix costo just by exercises just doesn't work. The reason is that any exercise just strains further the already strained rib joints on your breastbone, way before you get a benefit to the tight rib joints around the back. You have to free up the tight rib machinery around the back first. Which is what we use the Backpod to do.

[@marybgood5913]

Im 28 and suffer this! THANKS

[@BobandBrad]

You’re very welcome

[@michaelquinonez2190]

I first thought I was having a heart attack or that my lungs weren't working anymore because it felt like I couldn't breathe. However, after going through the ER, urgent care, primary care and tons of tests. Every specialist said my lungs and heart were fine and that it was just anxiety. But I knew deep inside that it wasn't anxiety and that it was something else. That's when I ran into the New Zealand therapist on KZbin who invented the backpod. He explained that sometimes costochondritis doesn't produce the sharp pains in chest. But can send false signals to your brain saying that you are not breathing properly when in reality you are. That is why the false signals of short of breathe spiral your brain into anxiety, then a panic attack, and then you thinking you're have a heart attack. I've been using the backpod 20 minutes every day for 7 days now and I can start to breathe better again. And my anxiety has gone down a ton. I'm hoping that in a month my breathing will be 100% again. The backpod is breaking down the frozen collagen around your ribcage, so the hinges can expand freely when you breathe ,and therefore stop the inflammation, the sharp pains, and the shortness of breath.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Michael. I'm the New Zealand physio. Shortness of breath is a classic symptom of costochondritis. It's also pretty common even when the rib joints at the front aren't straining enough to be painful - which is what costochondritis is. You can get it even when the lungs and heart are fine - for a very simple reason which is often overlooked by the doctors. You can't breathe in fully if you can't expand your rib cage fully, and you can't do that if some of the rib joints round your back are frozen solid and can't move. It's like wearing a tight corset. I think this is the commonest reason for breathing difficulties when all the tests say the lungs are fine. It does tend to get missed - maybe because it's so simple. It's also what causes costo. When some of the rib joints round the back can't move, then the joints at the other ends of those same ribs where they hinge onto your breastbone MUST move excessively, just to let you breathe. So they strain, click, pop, give (often with a sharp stabbing pain), get painful - and there's your costochondritis. It's NOT a "mysterious inflammation" arriving out of a clear blue sky for no reason anyone understands - no matter what you've been told. The frozen rib movement round the back cannot show on X-ray, CAT or MRI scans, because these are all essentially still photos, and cannot show if the joints can move okay of not. With costo, they can't. As well, because you can't expand your lungs to take a full breath in, you breath high and fast in the top of your lungs. This hyperventilation can cause panic attacks, and certainly anxiety. It's really common with costochondritis - in a way we just don't see with back and neck problems, say. So - logically - the core of fixing the problem is freeing up the tight rib machinery round the back. Cheers, Steve August.

[@man4fitness218]

When I was a preteen my doctor diagnosed me with Chronic Costochondritis that was in 1986, I still feel it from time to time when squatting heavy with a barbell.

[@tranandagraves2474]

Hello my 16 year old daughter is going through this now. What did you do to keep the pain down?

[@man4fitness218]

@@tranandagraves2474 When first diagnosed, the doctor suggest I take ibuprofen, hydration and exercise to bring the inflammation down. Now that I'm older I follow an anti inflammatory diet, and get my omega 3's in daily, sometimes I'll experience some pain at night, and I'll use a CBD ointment that really helps plenty. I hope this helps.

[@duanegeorge6270]

I’m going on two years with this exact situation. I’m a firefighter in Washington DC and about going on 2yrs ago I developed this pain in my chest, difficulty taking deep breaths and trouble swallowing. Initially because of COVID they assumed it was that, but after antibodies testing and multiple COVID tests all being negative the search continued and still continues on what it may be. I’ve seen every specialist you can think of with no out come, the ultimate cardiac work up, ortho where they are planning on a chest mri, I’ve been to the Emergency room over 15 times since 2020 and they do vitals blood work, X-rays and once everything comes out normal they send me home! I’ve been suffering with this and it’s beyond debilitating, this severe chest pain, left shoulder blade area pain, difficulty at times taking in deep breaths, swallowing issues it’s just taken over my life to the point where I can’t really live a normal life, depression, anxiety etc and just don’t know what to turn to for help

[@BobandBrad]

We are so sorry to hear you are going they this ! Hopefully this helped a little

[@marky5493]

yoh! sounds like my story and time frame except I'm not a fire fighter ,just a free diver. I did have covid and developed a clicky sore chest on sneezing/coughing or leaning down to touch my toes and breathing in at the bottom. i took anti acids for a couple of weeks and that sorted out the swallowing issues hugely! i hope it helps you as much as it helped me, the depression now comes and goes and it seems to only come in the late afternoon before I lithely tell it to f#ck off and i physically smile as much as possible till i laugh and put nice music on and try put myself in a positive environment

[@ZabXyzx]

Same.

[@faaazzahmed7331]

I feel you bro I feel u same , suffering like u , sadly iv been diagnosed with hcm hypertrophic cardiomyopathy heart disease but they say pain is not from the heart , I can’t handle pain , I go ANE n they do bloods n x ray n ecg n say it’s muscle pain , what muscle pain lasts for 1.5 years ?? Or inflammation of chest wall n ribs , sadly im so depressed iv no life on so much pain killers yet don’t know what wrong with me 😿😿😿

[@LauriHopps]

Am going to try Back Pod, thank you, this explains all my symptoms.

[@pandasama13]

My thanks to everyone involved - has pointed me in the right direction :D

[@LaurenScottStudios]

I am a 11 year sufferer.. I found the backpod years ago. I am the person Steve talked about, a myriad of drs, er's no one could help me.. At 23 drs told me to go home, top working out and take advil... I found Steve and started following his advice. I found a Chiropractor that had some experience and we believe itis due to t-6/t-7 being encased in scar tissue due to a horse fall.. so I'm on that has frozen up..I have found a regimine to be good most days, but have occasional flares. Now at 34 I train in aerial silks/hoop and do what drs told me I could never do. While it is still a journey, Steve has been incredible with his help.. he even emailed me a year ago when I came to questions with him after Covid.. I wish the United States new how to handle.. I wonder why its so common in New Zealand, part of me has thought of taking an extended trip there.

[@ryek9]

I’ve had this since 2012. Intently listening to this to try and get some relief. Has not been too debilitating but is most definitely uncomfortable and not fun to live with.

[@ryek9]

Btw, I got mine from weightlifting. I was in the gym when it first kicked in and I thought I was having a heart attack, went straight to ER and was diagnosed with this.

[@ceedot187]

I got mine from the same type shit have you got it to feel better

[@ryek9]

@@ceedot187 I just stretch and use a foam roller a lot. Isn’t cured but it helps. I might give this thing they talk about a try and see what happens.

[@ceedot187]

@@ryek9 I do the same thing. I got it from doing like a crazy amount of push-ups after not working out for like 2 months and I’ve had this ever since… honestly bro I’m looking at all these reviews I think I might just have to buy it

[@SelfReflective]

@@ceedot187 Yes! Me too, doing push-ups to get myself in shape post-Covid..now I feel pain in my chest, I can actually pinpoint it, it's to the right of my left nipple, also when I turn my torso it hurts on the left side..

[@TheKingLiones]

I believe I have Costo. I had a spontaneous phumothorax (right side) chest tube under arm pit. I am convinced my terrible posture caused my collapsed lung and costo. I also have very weak muscles and terrible shoulders ( posture ) I hunch forward and also favor my right side. My body feels like a crunched pretzel. I have have constant pain between shoulder blade and rib pain. Can feel ribs move in from and under arm pit. I have pain breathing and have trouble falling asleep. I’ve always been a side sleeper and hard sleeping on back. I also for 3 years have been working for Parcel Service Heavy lifting, pushing , pulling, bending. I have no energy when I get home and do computer work also. Also I’m a bit dehydrated and malnourished. I watch Bob and brad for PT and have seen 3 inexperienced chiropractors and have made no progress. I went through the process of getting x rays when my chest would hurt but no results. Unfortunately I work through the pain to keep my health insurance and havnt tried for disability yet. I don’t take medication and am starting a raw vegetarian diet soon. I’m also seeing a Physiotherapist and Holistic Chiropractor for Nutrition Response testing. I’ve heard of slipping rib syndrome but I still believe my body can heal itself with healthy living and the help of miracle workers. I need lots of new habits targeted exercise in all aspects of life. Very disappointed with myself for neglecting my body for so many years. I am suffering physically and mentally. I just lost my 2 dogs of 15 years but I won’t give up without a fight. God bless. Thank you Bob and Brad and Steve. :,(

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

Thank you soooo much for this video! I have had this for 6 months or so - was in the ER three times in the last four months thinking it's a heart issue - but every time I have gone in all tests come back fine - the last time I was in the doctor told me this is a muscular issue but did not diagnose me with Costo officially - I've watched countless videos (Bob and Brad's as well:) on Costo and I'm almost 100% sure this is what I am dealing with - achy, deep sharp pains coming from my chest - usually on my left side of the chest. Now, I have been a lifelong weight trainer and drummer for 35 years - plus very stressed the last year or so - would too much heavy lifting have been the cause of me getting this? I am definitely going to order this back pod because doctors I find know sooo little about it. Blows my mind because the pain sometimes is just not pleasant and has made me very anxious at times. This condition is very difficult to live with.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Patrick. Well, there's a home test anyone can do which usually shows the tight restricted rib cage movement that drives costo. (If you're naturally really flexible, then your good movement may mask the stick bits, but they'll still be there.) It's described on the Costochondritis page of the Backpod's New Zealand website - link is www.bodystance.co.nz/en/costochondritis/ Basically, if you're restricted on the sitting twist test towards the side your costo pain is on, then what you've got is almost certainly what Bob and I have been talking about. In other words, it's NOT a "mysterious inflammation" but a clear mechanical problem, which should respond fine to the PT-type approach we've been discussing. Cheers, Steve August.

[@patrickhandlovsky7665]

@@stevenzphysio4203 Thank you for this info! I will definitely have a look because I'm almost positive this is what I'm dealing with. And I will definitely be getting the back pod.

[@williggg]

I’m also a long time drummer (50 years) and had a habit of intense pull-ups and dips at the gym. From what I’ve read, the gym workouts likely were my cause of costo. I doubt drumming itself would be a cause, but hauling all the heavy drum equipment to and from gigs certainly could strain the chest.

[@collextoys]

great video . He was right on point with what is going on with me. I think since covid started . I have been laying around to much and spending to much time hunched over and not enough time in the gym or moving around .Been dealing with this for like 3 years now. And anxiety in horrible due to this. I had a loud pop the other day when getting up off the weight bench and I am hoping that it gets better after this.

[@mistermiyagi7048]

I used a tennis ball with a towel on it and my costo went away after maybe 2 minutes laying on the tennis ball. Been trying different techniques/stretches for 2 weeks and this technique with the tennis ball has been the most efficient one. I don't know how long the effect will last because I just did it before writing this. It unlocked my ribs completely and I could bend back with my hands over my had without any pain whatsoever. Like a bridge pose. I usually have pain doing the bridge pose even though I tried a lot of stretches before. It's like something has been stuck on the upper chest part even though I've managed to make some improvements with other stretches before. Now it went away completely with the tennis ball which is a big relief. What I did was putting the tennis ball between my shoulders, put my bodyweight on it and after a minute or so I raised my hands over my head and back on the flor a couple of times, and after that I moved the tennis ball to the sides, between the scapula and the spine and did the same movements with my hands up and down. I got the idea from Steve's instructions with a backpod from one of his older videos on his youtube channel where he demonstrates how to use the backpdod. I recommend doing this exercise after watching his other videos on how to do it properly. Will keep doing it for some time and maybe come back here and give you guys an update. It's a cheap and easy option for those who does not have the backpod.

[@paulasouza5722]

How are you currently?

[@ImTash]

What sleeping positions have you guys found work well for you? My costo always gets worse in the evenings and no position is comfortable for more than 10 mins. Steve’s voice is so calming and reassuring that I actually just listen to this video when I can’t sleep because the costo twinges keep setting off panic attacks and this helps remind me I am ok I have had the tests I know it’s not my heart this is fixable and will not last forever

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Tash. The problem is any sleeping position when you're lying down puts pressure on the rib cage. With costo, the rib joints round the back are frozen and can't move. So with load on the rib cage, the only bits that can move are the already strained and straining delicate rib joints on your breastbone. So they strain further - it's like stretching a freshly sprained ankle further into the sprain. It hurts!! Sorry, the only way I know if helping is to free up the frozen rib machinery round the back driving the strain at the front. We use the Backpod for that, of course. Thanks for the nice comments about my calm and reassuring voice! You got past my New Zealand accent, then? I'm truly not trying to falsely reassure anyone - I never do that with my patients. But really, where I work in physiotherapy in New Zealand we just don't find costo a mystery or difficult to fix. Of course it's harder without the patient in front of me, but the treatment principles are still the same. I do get dismayed by the doom and gloom about costo from people (including docs) who haven't come across the sensible research-validated understanding of costo we use, and which Bob and Brad have been so brilliant at spotting and passing out there. Of course it's not a mystery. Cheers, Steve August.

[@ImTash]

@@stevenzphysio4203 well hopefully you're well on the way to changing all that now! Hope the BMJ article gets a lot of attention and it finally filters through to the rest of the profession over here! No problems with the accent at all - we have so many bizarre accents in the uk i think it puts us at an advantage to understand other people quite easily! I've also just ordered Glucosamine and Condroitin in hopes it will help heal things up too as I really hate taking drugs. Don't know how effective it actually is but some research says it does help with the inflammation and restoration of damaged cartillage. Have your patients or yourself had any positive experiences with using supplements like that to help instead of / in addition to standard ibuprofen etc?

[@stevenzphysio4203]

@@ImTash Hi Tash. Actually, no. Sorry. Worth a crack, though. There is mild evidence glucosamine/chondroitin does help repair damaged cartilage - I take it myself as I want my knees to last. Can't do any harm! It might definitely help with repair of the strained and damaged cartilage of the rib joints on your sternum. It is slow, though - like putting compost on a garden. The big fast improvements with costo are from freeing up the frozen rib machinery round the back driving the strain and pain at the front - which you're doing fine.

[@donnagarner6007]

I use a wedge because I was originally worried about pneumonia, but I take the herb Devil's Claw when 20-30 minutes b4 I go to bed. It does help.😊 I can only hope it will help you too.🤞✌

[@kristenb2153]

I have had this for over a year. So I'm told by a new Dr I went to. I've had 2 l5 s1 back fusion surgeries. Walking sets off my Sciatica. I bought a spin bike. That don't set off my sciatic nerve. After spinning for about a year I started have chest pains. Mine did start on my right side. Like In between my chest and arm pit down to my side under my armpit.then it went to my Sternum and the left side. I've been to the er many times. And many did doctors. I even had 1 tell me if I got my mentor health in check I might handle pain differently. They tell you the pain is mild and that this will go away. Mild are we serious. The anxiety that this causes. It's not normally to have chest pains. I bought the back pod last week after Searching KZbin for ppl like me. And I found you. It says it shouldn't be painful are you doing it wrong. ???.ugh it hurts!! I have really sore spots between my spin and shoulder blades. Worse on right. Pls help me what am I doing wrong. I would give almost anything for the pain of this to go away. Oh, I also forgot it doesn't hurt me to breathe in. Idk if that means this isn't my problem.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hello. Are you using the Backpod with a pillow or two under your head like the instructions say? That gives you a milder stretch. You need to start gently like this - if you stretch anything in the body too hard in one go it'll hurt. Just follow the instructions in the user guide. Also, try and talk someone into doing the two home massages on you. The one between your shoulder blades will help lots.

[@angeldrippingmelanin2247]

Thank you doc this help so much

[@juliaking3002]

I have this and ot hurts. Dr's in US need to watch this. My Gawd they give you no advice on what helps and what doesn't. I did a float therapy too.

[@zachcouch8654]

I took a should to the left chest muscle. 3 days later I have terrible pain in my chest. I will do these stenches until I am better. I will do my best to repost when I am better. We can all do this.

[@monocolosal]

Como te encuentras ahora, te has curado?

[@radkin9747]

Just to add to this matter thoracic mobility must play a huge factor in this and should be considered. For gamers, heavy smartphone use with bad posture and office sitting are massive contributors to this condition i would presume. Great topic. Thank you guys for speaking about this condition!

[@stantc77]

Mine started with the cough associated with Covid last year . Seen cardiologist and he said it’s not heart related pain . GI also said it doesn’t look like digestive and thinks costochondritis . But till this day , sitting with pain . Life changed .

[@jackscanlon4753]

This is incredible and makes complete sense I will be following these steps and Il come back with results which im certain Il get I’ve had this for 4 months from being a carpenter, tennis, boxing, gym And my chiro did diagnose it as chostocondritis but didn’t really know how to permanently fix this apart from opening up my thoracic spine etc I woke up one night with a lot of pain in my chest which was radiating down my left arm so I went to the doctors Had an ECG all normal, he sent me to emergency to make sure it wasn’t heart related had x ray and blood tests No signs of anything they told me to rest and take anti inflammatory tablets which pisses me off 😂

[@jackscanlon4753]

This definitely work’s been using it for a week and already 90 percent gone and I’ve been back at the gym doing chest, back shoulders no problem Il come back in a week and should be gone

[@bingobango8777]

I underwent CPR twice in the hospital in the same day. The doctors never warned me that there could be Costo or long term pain if I didn't stretch. The comments on open heart seem to be the same as those that have undergone CPR or an auto accident. After undergoing a cardiac arrest, unexplained chest pain is frightening. I just started to use the back pod. It would be great if this message could get to the cardiac rehab programs to share with their heart patients.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Yep - it's all the same thing. Impact onto the car dashboard, steering wheel or air bag, or life-saving CPR - they all do damage at the front (which heals) but also compress the rib joints around the back (which freeze). As long as the joints round the back can't move, the rib joints on your sternum must move excessively to compensate. So they strain, click, pop, give, get painful - and welcome to costo. It's all very logical - NOT a "mysterious inflammation" arriving for no reason.

[@viccolombia]

I don’t know if this is what I have but I went to ER because I had extremely strong pain around my ribs after a laid on a mat on a cold concrete while I was doing sound meditation. I thought I was having a heart attack the pain lasted over 8 hrs even when I was at hospital the pain medication wouldn’t work. I am 59 now I think this is what I have. I am not sure if laying on the cold concrete for 30 min trigger this pain. Will try it the backpod. Thank you for sharing Lesson learned: never lay on cold concrete again. 😅

[@evewhittaker7987]

This is a common and reoccurring problem and people with connective tissue disorders. Please do a series of people with connective tissue disorders like ehlers-danlos syndrome. Our PT care has to be modified to not do more damage making it's so hard to find knowledgeable physical therapists.

[@petrapedia]

YES please! Ehlers-Danlos is so under-diagnosed and you could really be a breakthrough for so many people

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi Eve. See my reply on EDS to Petrapedia in these comments. Cheers, Steve August.

[@druskimark112]

I've had costo for about 3 years now. Here's my story, I was working at a place where I was a custodian and I had to use a backpack vacuum everyday I think that was the cause of it I was working there for over a year. When I first got it I was having shortness of breath and my heart would beat fast off and on throughout the day and that lasted about 3 days but at the time I was living with somebody with bronchitis so maybe they passed that onto to me and that was the cause for the fast heart rate/shortness of breath at the beginning not sure. Anyways got a MRI done and they said I had mild scoliosis and they said they don't think that's the cause of it and they diagnosed me with Costco and prescribed me with naproxen I've been taking them like once a week when the pain is extreme. I went to physical therapy for it for a month it helped with the pain a little bit but the next day the pain was fully on again. Then I started doing the exercises at home for 6 months and the same thing so I stopped, and started going to the chiropractor for a year every 3 weeks and everytime I went the pain would come back fully in 2 days so I stopped and just been living with it then I came across the back pod been using it since July everyday/every other day and it helps a little bit temporarily but the pain will come back fully the next day but since using my sternum has been popping more. Not sure if that's a sign it's getting better or not. My pain levels from this go from a 6/10 and a 7/10 everyday for most of the day. I'd love to get Steve's thoughts on this.

[@stevenzphysio4203]

Hi. Scoliosis is a predisposition to costo, in spite of what the docs said. That's because all the rib joints down one side of the middle back are already under extra load because of the twist in the spine. So it doesn't take much more for the rib joints at the back to seize up completely. When that happens, the ones on your breastbone move excessively just to let you breathe. So they click, pop, give, strain, get painful - and welcome to costo. It's not a "mysterious inflammation", so naproxen isn't going to do any more than take away the peak of the pain, if that. Those backpack vacuums are hard work - that could sure be enough to trigger you into costo. I have to say I don't hear good things about trad US chiros treating costo. The good ones are very good, but they're not all like that: (1) They usually use the standard body-slam-onto-the-patient-with-their-fist-in-your-back technique. This is usually a poor choice with costo, because it just squashes and strains further the already strained rib joints on your breastbone. Every time. (2) In my experience, they have a bias towards manipulating the spinal joints and (often) missing the rib joints - and freeing these up is the irreducible core of fixing most costo. (3) All manipulation does is bang a tight hinge free. It doesn't put anything at all "back in" - that's just a nonsense phrase meaning nothing. I’m speaking as a New Zealand physiotherapist - I’ve used manipulation myself for over 30 years. It cannot in a split second stretch out the very tough collagen of the ligaments and joint capsule surrounding the joint which will have stiffened down around the immobile joint. So this just freezes the hinge up again rapidly - which is exactly what you've been getting. That's why we developed the Backpod - to stretch out the collagen so the joints can stay free and you get a lasting improvement. We think the chiro approach of continually banging the same bits free is silly and expensive. Rule of thumb (ho ho) - if you're getting a temporary improvement with chiro (so it is a joint problem) then you should get a permanent freeing up on the Backpod. It’s particularly relevant to costo - the Backpod is the only thing we can find that will actually do an effective stretch on tight rib joints, and this is the crucial thing in fixing costo. Stick with it - it’s very tough stuff you’re stretching and it takes time. Do please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and the 'Warnings and precautions' section in the 31-page user guide. If for some reason you haven’t got one, there is also a pdf copy of the full user guide near the bottom of the iHunch and Costochondritis pages on the Backpod’s website - www.bodystance.co.nz/assets/Uploads/backpod-full-user-guide-feb-2020.pdf. These are the best detailed instructions on how to use the Backpod. We start people off really gently because often they just do too much initially and get sore. You are starting to stretch joints that haven’t moved for months or years and you can get a bit of normal treatment tenderness for a few days. It’s a lot like stretching hamstring muscles that are so tight you can’t touch your knees - takes a while before you can reach your toes. When you no longer need a pillow under your head when you’re lying on the Backpod, get some more oomph out of it by lifting your buttocks off the ground, using the Backpod crosswise across the upper back (gives more leverage) as well as lengthwise and out to the sides a little (to get the ribs), and/or linking your fingers together and slowly moving your arms up over your head and down to your waist repeatedly; try that with just one arm as well. Chase the tightest bits and spend 1-3 minutes on each. Also, when you get to that point, start doing the sitting twist exercise I showed 12.54 minutes into the ‘How to Fix most Costo and Tietze’s , Part (2)’ KZbin video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGjZlmmkg7uXjcU This is to work the joints now they’re reasonably unlocked - like working a rusty hinge back and forth after you put some oil on it. Also, ideally, shout yourself a sports massage - preferably two, with a week off in between. When you've had costo for more than a few months, the muscles between and overlying the tight ribs around your back and sides, plus the pec muscles on your chest, also get tight and scarred. Massage is ideal for loosening them up. However NOT until it’s safe with COVID-19. At a minimum, you should both wear masks, hand sanitise, and when you get home take all your clothes off and put them straight into the washing machine and you straight into the shower, including washing your hair. As well, if possible, talk, bargain or bribe someone into doing the two massages in the Backpod’s user guide, about once a week for at least a few weeks. Get them to go hard down between your shoulder blades. You’re probably tight on your pecs as part of it all, so best to stretch them as well. There’s a good pec stretching video on KZbin - link is kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5e5fIWOnb6Je6M Good luck with the work! Cheers, Steve August.

[@judyaguilar2315]

@@stevenzphysio4203 u

[@saideep3047]

He is a Genius.

[@omnihaand]

You can use the lungs to open and lubricate the rib joints between stretches. Starting from the vitruvian stance slowly breath out and lean forward to close the chest hinges while crossing the forearms, pushing them against each other. I repeat for both left over right forearm positioning and vice versa. Breath all the way in lifting the chest with pumping breaths at the top to lift the shooters and bring fluids into the joints. Then, while clasping the largest possible imaginary ball relative to body size, in a Hakka or wide foot stance, hands and fingers stretch open and scooping slightly under the ball as if the ball were 25lbs or so. The two people in this video are spot on. Please note I am shredding with them. TY Apologies, movement may hurt for some. There's just no avoiding it. I'm not properly trained or certified, so please don't just trust a random comment on the internet as medical services/advice... Chin-ups with look behind arch training for kids. Backflips, agility, etc.. while young send to help. Street and vert online skating saved the fascia my back and snowboarding gave me strength. I'm lucky, others I know are better and worse off, though, with the same path as me. It's never just nature out nitrite, just like in psychology. Range of motion maintenance and agility training should be cultural norms. =) We need to move the 3rd or, for some, 4th screen/cellphone out of our hands. I'm down to work on pushing hi-res contact lenses forward. I you're listening, Mr. Musk, your people have. =) If anyone else reads this far, you're awesome! ;) Boredom just seemed/seems deadly to me. Move your body for as long as you can.

[@mart34]

Got costo for the second time, both times due to performing dips with incorrect form. Used the backpod for first time today, will update all with progress.

[@endtimes688]

did it work ?

[@mart34]

@endtimes688 OK, so my trial didn't go as planned. In the first 2 days, I totally abused the backpod as it felt so satisfying as it sunk into my back muscles, and ended up having to ice my back for 3 days. Then I reintroduced it following the instructions strictly, for approx 4 day. Then saw a physio who loosened up all my back and shoulder muscles, two days later the sternum pain is totally gone. I'm convinced that my pain at the front was caused by tension in my back muscles, which was pulling on one of the ribs and that reveals itself round the front at the joint with the sternum. My guess is 90% chance physio cured, 10% chance it was backpod.

[@endtimes688]

@@mart34 okay thank you for the update i have just purchased one today.. i will make sure i take it easy and use it gradually.. I am going to my chiropractor as well as that really helps but good to have a back pod for inbetween times.. I also find my blue neck stretcher helps me too but only ever do 5 min a day max.. it sure is easy to overdo things when you are trying to stay healthy and painfree

[@mart34]

@endtimes688 I just got too excited, had very high hopes and wanted to get back to high intensity strength training. One thing the backpod (and tennis ball on back against wall) revealed was a very tense spot just below my left shoulder blade. This is what led me to thinking it was this tension causing rib to be painful where it connects to sternum at front. The backpod developer mainly talks about the rib to spine joints becoming siezed, but how about back muscles that connect to ribs causing problems too? Hence I believe the physio massaged the problem away. Best of luck, sure you'll resolve soon

[@hampus3848]

Steve is the man

[@KELOC1]

I just started getting these symptoms after easing back into the gym.. sadly I have other injuries (tears). After my workout it felt like a stroke, but the pain from stretching and hunching over is what makes me think it’s costo. This makes me depressed, I just want to work out. At times I think I should give up working out and just stretch. I guess I’ll have to try this backpod. I really hope this issue can clear up. Drs here suck and they either run millions of tests or just say you have anxiety. Or nothing at all. Thanks for all the great info. It’s helped over the past year.

[@nisalrai2160]

Same here ..

[@KELOC1]

@@nisalrai2160 back pod does work. Bench press is evil