Medically reviewed by M. Thurairaj, Registered physiotherapist. · Last reviewed June 2026.
Get chest pain checked first
This is the most important point: any chest pain needs medical assessment before assuming it is muscular or costochondritis. A doctor can rule out heart and lung causes, which is essential. Seek urgent care for chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, dizziness or feeling unwell. Never try to self-diagnose chest pain.
How costochondritis behaves
When diagnosed by a doctor, costochondritis typically causes pain at the front of the chest wall that is reproducible by pressing on the affected area and may worsen with certain movements or deep breaths. It often settles over time with simple measures your doctor advises. It is a chest-wall problem rather than something coming from the heart, but that distinction is for a doctor to make.
A cautious role for massage
Once a doctor has confirmed the cause and ruled out anything serious, gentle massage to the surrounding muscles of the upper back and shoulders may help ease associated tension, but we do not work aggressively over a painful chest wall. We will always defer to your doctor diagnosis and advice. Massage is never a substitute for getting chest pain properly assessed.
Key takeaways
- Any chest pain needs a doctor assessment first
- Costochondritis is a chest-wall problem a doctor confirms
- Seek urgent care for warning signs with chest pain
- Massage only plays a gentle, supportive role after diagnosis
Frequently asked questions
Is chest pain ever safe to ignore?
No. Any chest pain should be assessed by a doctor first to rule out heart and lung causes. Seek urgent care for breathlessness, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.
Can massage treat costochondritis?
It is not a treatment for it. After a doctor confirms the diagnosis, gentle work on surrounding back and shoulder muscles may ease associated tension, within their advice.