Conditions

Chest pain

Chest pain can be frightening and is often confused with heart complaints. In many cases, however, the cause lies in the spine, ribs, or muscles. At Fysio Willemspark in Amsterdam, we make an accurate diagnosis and treat the real cause of your complaints.

Do you recognize this?

  • Chest pain that can feel frightening

  • Pain with deep breathing or sighing

  • A pressing or tight feeling in the chest

  • Radiating pain along the ribs to the back

  • Limited rotational movement of the torso

  • Pain when coughing, sneezing, or laughing

Possible causes

Chest complaints often have a musculoskeletal cause. A thorough history and physical examination help establish the correct diagnosis.

  • Rib blockages

    The joints where the ribs attach to the spine can become blocked. This causes local pain that can radiate along the rib to the front of the chest.

  • Intercostal neuralgia

    Irritation or entrapment of the nerves that run between the ribs. This causes a sharp, stabbing pain that worsens with movement, breathing, or coughing.

  • Posture-related complaints (kyphosis)

    An excessively rounded upper back (kyphosis) from prolonged forward-leaning sitting overloads the thoracic spine and rib joints. This leads to stiffness and pain.

  • Tietze syndrome

    Inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs attach to the sternum. This causes local swelling and tenderness on the sternum, often confused with heart complaints.

  • Thoracic herniated disc

    Although rarer than in the neck or lower back, a herniated disc in the thoracic spine can put pressure on nerves. This causes radiating pain and sometimes tingling.

Our approach

  1. 1

    Testing

    Through various tests, we map out the reason you are experiencing chest complaints. Often there is more than one cause.

  2. 2

    Solving

    Based on the test results, we identify where the solution lies. By treating your body, you immediately feel an improvement in your complaints.

  3. 3

    Follow-up

    By performing the same tests again, you immediately experience that breathing is easier and pain has decreased.

Why Fysio Willemspark?

  • 60 minutes per session

    Twice as long as standard, for more thorough examination and better results.

  • Physio + Personal Training

    All our physiotherapists are also personal trainers. Treatment and training combined.

  • Direct access

    No referral needed. Direct access to our specialists in Amsterdam.