Chest Wall Pain
Pain from the muscles, bones, or cartilage of the chest wall. Often made worse by movement, deep breathing, or pressing on the area. Typical signs include localised chest pain, pain with movement, and tenderness to touch.
Chest Pain Specialist
Chest wall painhelp
Chest pain can be frightening, but in many cases it comes from the muscles, ribs, or cartilage rather than the heart. Once cardiac causes have been ruled out by your GP, our specialist team can diagnose and treat the musculoskeletal source of your chest pain.
- Chest Pain Specialist
- Personalised exercise plan
- Ongoing support
Overview
We treat non-cardiac chest pain only. Once your GP has ruled out heart-related causes, we can assess the muscles, ribs, cartilage, or nerves that may be causing your symptoms.
Important
We treat non-cardiac chest pain only. If you are experiencing chest tightness, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to your arm or jaw, please call 999 or attend A&E immediately.
Symptoms
Common Types of Chest Wall Pain
We treat non-cardiac chest pain conditions using minimally invasive, non-surgical approaches wherever appropriate. Here are the most common ones we see at our clinic.
Costochondritis
Inflammation where the ribs connect to the breastbone. Causes sharp pain that can feel alarming but is not dangerous and is very treatable. Often includes pain with breathing and sternum tenderness.
Musculoskeletal Chest Pain
Chest pain from muscle strain, poor posture, or overuse. Very common and often responds well to treatment. It may feel worse with activity or certain positions.
Rib Pain
Pain in or around the ribs from injury, inflammation, or nerve irritation between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia). Can include rib tenderness and pain with breathing.
Non-Cardiac Chest Pain
Chest pain where the heart has been ruled out as the cause. Often comes from muscles, nerves, or the chest wall itself, and can still cause a lot of worry until it is explained and treated.
Thoracic Pain
Pain in the upper and mid-back region that can wrap around into the chest. Often related to posture or spinal stiffness.
Causes
When Should You See a Specialist?
If your GP has ruled out cardiac causes and you still have chest pain, it may be musculoskeletal. See a specialist if you notice any of these.
Pain lasting more than 4 weeks
Ongoing pain that is not settling.
Pain when breathing deeply
Discomfort with each deep breath.
Tender to touch on your chest wall
The area feels sore when pressed.
Painkillers are no longer helping
Usual medication is not enough.
Pain is affecting your daily life
It is getting in the way of normal activities.
Pain keeps coming back
Symptoms return after they seemed to settle.
Treatments
Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on what is causing your chest pain. Here are the main approaches we use.
Explore Treatments
Targeted Injections
Injections to reduce inflammation and pain in the chest wall, ribs, or intercostal nerves. This may include intercostal nerve blocks, costochondral injections, or trigger point injections.
Medication Review
We review your current medication and adjust if needed. For nerve-related chest pain, specific medications can make a big difference, including neuropathic and anti-inflammatory options.
Rehabilitation Support
Structured physio and exercise guidance to improve posture, chest wall mobility, and breathing patterns. This can include posture correction, breathing exercises, and chest wall stretching.
How it works
What to Expect
Getting started is straightforward.
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1
Request
If you know the type of pain you're experiencing, you can request an appointment online or give us a call - it only takes a couple of minutes. If you're unsure where to start, please give us a call. Our team will be happy to listen, answer your questions, and help guide you toward the most appropriate next step.
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2
Consultation
Your consultation will usually last 30–45 minutes with one of our experienced pain specialists. This gives your doctor time to understand your symptoms, review your medical history, discuss any previous treatments, and consider the most appropriate next steps for you. The consultation fee is €350, payable on the day of your appointment.
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3
Your Treatment Plan
We'll create an individual, tailored pain management plan based on your needs. This may include a combination of treatments, procedures, or infusions, with review appointments to monitor your progress and ongoing care from our experienced pain specialists.
Common questions
FAQs
Do I need a GP referral?
A GP referral is required for insurance cover of any treatments or procedures. If you are self-paying, a GP referral may not be required. Please bring any relevant medical information, reports, scans, or medication details to your appointment. Our current waiting time is typically 1–2 weeks.
Is this for heart-related chest pain?
No. We treat non-cardiac chest pain, meaning pain caused by muscles, bones, cartilage, or nerves rather than the heart. If you are having heart-related symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to your arm or jaw, please call 999 or attend A&E immediately.
What is costochondritis?
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. It causes sharp chest pain that can feel alarming but is not dangerous. It is very treatable with the right approach.
Is it covered by insurance?
We accept all the major insurers. We recommend checking with your insurer to confirm what's covered under your specific policy.
How soon can I get seen?
Usually within 1 to 2 weeks. If it's urgent, let us know and we'll try to fit you in sooner.
What happens at my first appointment?
Your first visit lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. The specialist will go through your medical history, carry out an examination, and discuss your symptoms with you. From there, we create a tailored pain management plan designed around your case.
Conditions we treat