Dredge has Costochondritis

[Speed 126]

Calgary Wrangler's right winger Willie Dredge has come down with a very frustrating condition called costochondritis. The condition is usually comes with a heart attack scare, as the pain resides in the chest area in the upper ribs and resembles the initial pain of a heart attack. Fortunately the condition has nothing to do with the heart, but can still bring a lot of frustration as many activities bring on the sharp pain in the chest including almost any exercise, cardio, or weightlifting. This pain can reduce one's activity to only stretches to relieve pain and keep muscles loose. Contrary to popular belief, the condition actually is not a mysterious inflammation in the sternum and chest area, although inflammation is brought on by the condition. The condition is caused by the thoracic spine and ribs in the back being frozen by collagen, disallowing the ribs in the back to be mobile and take pressure off the ribs in the front. This results in the ribs and the attached cartilage being stretched past their intended point, therefore causing pain and inflammation.

 

To fix the condition, one must first break open the frozen collagen in the thoracic spine. One does this by either visiting a chiropractor, a tennis ball, or something else firm and able to put a considerable amount of force into the thoracic spine and the collagen. This is just the beginning though, as the collagen must be stretched in order to prevent it to freeze the vertebrae again. To prevent this, one must be breaking open the collagen daily and mobilizing their thoracic spine. To mobilize the thoracic spine, one can sit in a chair and do a swinging motion with the torso with their hands clasped in front of their chest. One can think of this as elbowing someone behind them. One should also hold that stretch as a separate stretching routine, as well as stretching the side of their ribs by doing a classic side stretch while sitting. Doing these stretches throughout the day, possibly 4-5 times is ideal and recommended.

 

Costochondritis does not go away overnight. It takes a lot of work and perseverance to continue stretching and doing small exercises to mobilize the spine and ribs. Try to return to normal activities a week too early and all progress can be reversed. It is also important to not be scared of the condition, as it sounds scary but it really is not that huge of a deal. It just gets frustrating and requires determination if one would like to get rid of it and prevent it from returning.

 

Fuck Costochondritis. Speed out.