Costochonritis

This question was emailed to us, but we thought others might be interested!

Me again. In this line of work, I get to meet so many different kinds of people with so many unique challenges. Thank goodness I’m a jazz singer too (so I can think on my feet!)

Anyway, I have a new client coming who suffers from costochondritis. I do not know any specifics yet, but wondered if this is something of which you have heard or tackled. I looked it up online, and it appears there are different aspects of the condition, and even different ways you can “contract” it…viral, bacterial, over-use of the chest musculature, or even a physical force or accident.

Just let me know.

Thanks!

Salle

ps, I was reading the blog response about singing and pilates. I do not use the same breath for singing…I get better depth of sound and endurance if I let my abs forcefully expand and hold them out there while I’m singing.

But my pilates training has helped tremendously because it has allowed me to control my breathing for the activity at hand . For instance, in pilates we lift the pelvic floor for stability…in music, I drop the pelvic floor to reach my high notes. It gives me grounding so that my voice can reach high.

Response from Melanie:

Mel

Response from Jean:

I found this definition from the mayo clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626
I had never heard of it either. My recommendations would be to try to get some gentle thoracic spine movement in all the different planes and work on improving posture and core stability.
Jean