Hey everyone. Ive had this for about 6-7 months now. I really havent found too much online about this at all until I stumbled upon this.
MY story starts last July when I was getting ready to go workout. I begin to stretch as I was filling up a water bottle. I put my hands together above my head, leaned backwards and I moved my arms behind my back to stretch my chest. I felt the center of my chest pop, and I had a sharp pain throughout the center of my chest and my center upper back. I didnt lift at all or golf for 2 weeks, but I did continue to play hockey.
As time went on, it would be sore here and there, but like only 25% as bad as at first. Over time, a little flare up here and there, but it really only hurt when I sneezed. As I switched workouts, I began to try to incline bench press. They made me a little sore at first, but it would go away as soon as I racked to bar. Even though I really havent had any pain, 1 1/2 months into incline benching, Im hurting like hell again. I did dips in the same workout, and they also hurt my chest if I leaned forward at all.
Today, I went and pick up a foam roller and I will begin to use this as Ive heard it helps. I will keep everyone updated
MY story starts last July when I was getting ready to go workout. I begin to stretch as I was filling up a water bottle. I put my hands together above my head, leaned backwards and I moved my arms behind my back to stretch my chest. I felt the center of my chest pop, and I had a sharp pain throughout the center of my chest and my center upper back. I didnt lift at all or golf for 2 weeks, but I did continue to play hockey.
As time went on, it would be sore here and there, but like only 25% as bad as at first. Over time, a little flare up here and there, but it really only hurt when I sneezed. As I switched workouts, I began to try to incline bench press. They made me a little sore at first, but it would go away as soon as I racked to bar. Even though I really havent had any pain, 1 1/2 months into incline benching, Im hurting like hell again. I did dips in the same workout, and they also hurt my chest if I leaned forward at all.
Today, I went and pick up a foam roller and I will begin to use this as Ive heard it helps. I will keep everyone updated
I am VERY relieved to know that I'm not the only one who suffers from this. This has been going on for me for about a year and I noticed it after I went through a VERY stressful time. I noticed that after waking up mornings and getting in the shower, it would hurt like crazy to move my arms inward as well as looking down. Over the past 3 months, I noticed that my sternum is starting to pop. When I first popped it, it was painful! Now it's almost as easy as breathing. My mother in law suggested sleeping with a fluffy pillow at night when I lay on my side and it may relieve that pain in the morning. I've tried it a few times and it has worked. A tip is this: if you have your bed towards the wall, place a few pillows against the wall and grab one of them and snuggle with it. Sleep against the wall for comfort as well it supports you holding that pillow. It's worked for me and I hope it works for some of you!
I used to practice ultimate fighting (for fun) :? but about 10 months ago I fell to the ground with my opponant landing on top of me in a really tight hold, I had the most excrutiating pain for days after that so I went to hospital where they described my injuries to that of a crush injury, Couple of cracked ribs and sternum but didnt do any x-rays. Ever since then, I would hear and feel my sternum popping if I stretched or when I change my clothes. It gave a big pop couple of days ago and I have been in pain ever since so I am off to the doctors again as I am quite worried, I think I will demand an x-ray this time!!
It's amazing how common this is, I've been suffering from these exact systems for over a year now and finally decided to do a search online about it and came to this. Mine was caused by weightlifting my senior year in highschool. I was bench-pressing and I worked out a little too hard and my arms gave out so I had to rest the weight on my chest, and when I did so my chest made a loud cracking noise that everyone around me heard. Now, over a year later, if I sneeze I get a very bad pain in my sternum and it remains sensitive for half an hour or so.When my chest is sensitive like this lots of things hurt very badly, most notably when I lay down on my side and support myself with my elbow. Does anyone know if there is some sort of method to healing this?
Well I got the SAME thing, at least i dont feel so alone now. i'm 26 had it at 25. i guess it comes from too much slouching at the pc. (who knew sitting could be so bad for your health) well my body's going kaplutz. Thanks for the tip on holding your chest when you sneeze, that's one i'm going to be using a lot. Wish I kept better care of my body growing up. but i didnt =(.
Old got here fast!!! WHY?
later folks
Old got here fast!!! WHY?
later folks
I am 24 and have had this condition for probably about 2 years now. My friends think its a talent like being double jointed and I can "crack" my sternum on command now. The pain when doing so is not so fun. Its very irritating to try and describe this to a doctor since they always seem to refer you to a chiropractor. I finally did talk to a chiropractor and I could tell he had no idea what he was talking about but he tried to adjust it anyway. As most of you know, you can not "crack" your sternum or adjust it ALL the time. It is pretty tempermental. Does anyone notice sometimes you have to lean back so far to "crack" it that you physically cant and then later that evening just a simple lean will "crack" it? I am a runner, I go to the gym and lift quite often and I have noticed that back when this started I began stearing clear of all the chest press type workouts that strengthen your pectorals because of the pain I felt the next day due to my sternum. I would like to try and get a specialist to read all of our postings and research this a little more. Stumbling upon this website made me realize how common this is and everyone seems to be around the same age.
im a 19 year old female and this just started a couple months ago i was sitting at the table and my chest felt like someone was putting a extreme amount of pressure on it so i stretched and my chest made a huge crack noise and i felt such a relief and now when i sit in bed and watch tv before i go to sleep its like as soon as i go to lay down it pops and at times i feel that pressure again and ill try so hard to crack it but i cant and its very painful then ill stop and wait a second and take a deep breathe and it will crack and i will be fine im not sure what to do about this
Hello all, I hope that I can help somewhat. I'm a doctor of chiropractic in San Francisco and think that I can provide a little bit of assistance here. Might be a good idea to mention that this shouldn't be construed as medical advice or consultation. :-)
Responding to what some of you are reporting, the crack and temporary relief you feel is from a rapid pressure change within your costosternal joint, where your rib meets your sternum. This is caused by a quick separation of the joint surfaces. This releases a little bit of endorphins, making you feel good for a few minutes. If there is ongoing inflammation at the joint, like in "costochondritis" mentioned by one of you, it may be painful.
Now to advice on how to deal with it. Obviously this will sound like self-promotion, but a trip to a good chiropractor to professionally adjust the posterior, and if necessary, the anterior rib joint is part of the answer in restoring proper alignment of these joints. However, this is not the whole answer. Massage, physiotherapeutic modalities (therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, etc...), and assisted stretches and exercises (including some to be prescribed as home activities) should be part of a specialized treatment plan to relax and reset the muscles controlling the joint complex. In my office, I would advise the taking of some natural anti-inflammatories. Until then, I can't encourage the rough adjustments we do to ourselves, even though it may temporarily feel good. You could be doing more harm than good.
Responding to what some of you are reporting, the crack and temporary relief you feel is from a rapid pressure change within your costosternal joint, where your rib meets your sternum. This is caused by a quick separation of the joint surfaces. This releases a little bit of endorphins, making you feel good for a few minutes. If there is ongoing inflammation at the joint, like in "costochondritis" mentioned by one of you, it may be painful.
Now to advice on how to deal with it. Obviously this will sound like self-promotion, but a trip to a good chiropractor to professionally adjust the posterior, and if necessary, the anterior rib joint is part of the answer in restoring proper alignment of these joints. However, this is not the whole answer. Massage, physiotherapeutic modalities (therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, etc...), and assisted stretches and exercises (including some to be prescribed as home activities) should be part of a specialized treatment plan to relax and reset the muscles controlling the joint complex. In my office, I would advise the taking of some natural anti-inflammatories. Until then, I can't encourage the rough adjustments we do to ourselves, even though it may temporarily feel good. You could be doing more harm than good.
I tried to find info online about this a little while ago without much luck, but I think I was just using the wrong terms. I just sneezed which was followed by sternum pain and decided to google "pain in sternum when sneeze" and found this post. Yep, I have the same problem.
It has come and gone for me over the past year and I think I injured the area at the gym doing heavy bench press when I was really into putting on size. This has come and gone for me and for some reason recently the sternum pain has been worse. I do not have health insurance right now, otherwise, I would go get an xray. I am trying to figure out if this is somehow linked to something else in my back or if it's a separate thing because I also have some back problems.
I do sit in front of the computer a lot but lately I have been trying to fix my posture and keep my shoulders back. It's not comfortable at all when I do but hopefully that will help. I am going to look at my trigger point therapy workbook and see if there any good info that may be helpful for this.
It has come and gone for me over the past year and I think I injured the area at the gym doing heavy bench press when I was really into putting on size. This has come and gone for me and for some reason recently the sternum pain has been worse. I do not have health insurance right now, otherwise, I would go get an xray. I am trying to figure out if this is somehow linked to something else in my back or if it's a separate thing because I also have some back problems.
I do sit in front of the computer a lot but lately I have been trying to fix my posture and keep my shoulders back. It's not comfortable at all when I do but hopefully that will help. I am going to look at my trigger point therapy workbook and see if there any good info that may be helpful for this.
Hello all,
While it's unfortunate that so many of us are in a state of discomfort, it is good to hear that others are experiencing the same discomfort as I. As most of you know, this type of pain can be quite distressful depending upon how intense it is, simply because it's in the chest. Chest pain is something that most of us are taught to be symptomatic of a more serious condition, thus making this condition more worrisome.
I would like to share my experiences with those experiencing this discomfort, as they are a bit different from those that have posted already. Most of those who have shared their pain have indicated that the onset or incident did not occur until high school, college, or even later. The first and only time I popped my chest happened when I was in the sixth grade, at approximately 12 or 13 years of age. It occurred while crossing the parallel bars during an annual fitness test for students in junior high. I was half way across the parallel bars when my chest popped loudly. It hurt severely…instantly. I, however, did not immediately get off the parallel bars and proceeded to cross to the end. Upon getting off the parallel bars I was still in severe pain. So much so, I was on the verge of crying in the middle of the gymnasium.
This was quite embarrassing as one can imagine. :$ I was noticeably hurting and the instructor came over and asked if I was okay. I told her that I hurt my chest on the parallel bars, and I thought I would be okay. Well I was kind of... A few days later during lunch period while talking to a friend, he told that I simply popped my chest. It wasn’t necessarily something abnormal; he stated his father had experienced something similar while working at a job in the manufacturing sector, and that I would be sore for a period of time. Indeed, I was extremely sore for the next several weeks. I recall not being able to throw a snowball properly that winter. :O The stretch and the motion to make the throw caused a great deal of pain. It did get better after a period of time of which I don’t recall exactly. However, the experience was enough to make me wary of attempting such a maneuver again.
The pain and discomfort returned in high school when I began aggressively working out. It would return when I was specifically targeting the upper body and working the chest area on free weights or on a machine. Noticing the return of the discomfort I never pushed the weight lifting to the extreme for fear of causing the severe pain from the first experience. Currently I am in graduate school and approaching 25 years of age. I still experience the discomfort in the chest area that so many others have described before me. I have allowed it to limit my abilities in the weight room simply because I know the severe, lasting pain it can cause.
I would like to hear any further advice individuals, either medical professional or not, have concerning this discomfort. I do follow an adequate stretching regimen before workouts, but not to the point where I would pop my chest. What I do experience with some frequency are:
o.O *Discomfort/dull pain while slouching at the computer. It almost feels like your upper body is in pieces when you try to move.
:-( *Discomfort/dull pain while breathing while lying on my back in bed. The fact that it occurs during breathing is annoying because it is exasperated by severe seasonal allergies that I have.
%-) *Discomfort/dull pain while moving your shoulders/arms inward.
My chest does not pop regularly or while sneezing and I sincerely hope it never starts to. However, it does remain as I continue to strength train and target the upper body. I specifically avoid most free weights that would target your chest. Instead, I limit the routine to only to positions that target specific arm muscles.
:-| I would like further advice on how to live with this discomfort and pain, while still trying to carry on an active life style. I certainly do not want to make it worse than it already is, because it doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon.
? *Will targeting your back muscles alleviate the stress placed on your chest? If so, which ones?
? *What other exercises can counter the chest?
? *Are there any daily stretch routines to be applied (without popping the chest)?
Thanks and take care, best of luck to those experiencing the same issues. 8)
While it's unfortunate that so many of us are in a state of discomfort, it is good to hear that others are experiencing the same discomfort as I. As most of you know, this type of pain can be quite distressful depending upon how intense it is, simply because it's in the chest. Chest pain is something that most of us are taught to be symptomatic of a more serious condition, thus making this condition more worrisome.
I would like to share my experiences with those experiencing this discomfort, as they are a bit different from those that have posted already. Most of those who have shared their pain have indicated that the onset or incident did not occur until high school, college, or even later. The first and only time I popped my chest happened when I was in the sixth grade, at approximately 12 or 13 years of age. It occurred while crossing the parallel bars during an annual fitness test for students in junior high. I was half way across the parallel bars when my chest popped loudly. It hurt severely…instantly. I, however, did not immediately get off the parallel bars and proceeded to cross to the end. Upon getting off the parallel bars I was still in severe pain. So much so, I was on the verge of crying in the middle of the gymnasium.
This was quite embarrassing as one can imagine. :$ I was noticeably hurting and the instructor came over and asked if I was okay. I told her that I hurt my chest on the parallel bars, and I thought I would be okay. Well I was kind of... A few days later during lunch period while talking to a friend, he told that I simply popped my chest. It wasn’t necessarily something abnormal; he stated his father had experienced something similar while working at a job in the manufacturing sector, and that I would be sore for a period of time. Indeed, I was extremely sore for the next several weeks. I recall not being able to throw a snowball properly that winter. :O The stretch and the motion to make the throw caused a great deal of pain. It did get better after a period of time of which I don’t recall exactly. However, the experience was enough to make me wary of attempting such a maneuver again.
The pain and discomfort returned in high school when I began aggressively working out. It would return when I was specifically targeting the upper body and working the chest area on free weights or on a machine. Noticing the return of the discomfort I never pushed the weight lifting to the extreme for fear of causing the severe pain from the first experience. Currently I am in graduate school and approaching 25 years of age. I still experience the discomfort in the chest area that so many others have described before me. I have allowed it to limit my abilities in the weight room simply because I know the severe, lasting pain it can cause.
I would like to hear any further advice individuals, either medical professional or not, have concerning this discomfort. I do follow an adequate stretching regimen before workouts, but not to the point where I would pop my chest. What I do experience with some frequency are:
o.O *Discomfort/dull pain while slouching at the computer. It almost feels like your upper body is in pieces when you try to move.
:-( *Discomfort/dull pain while breathing while lying on my back in bed. The fact that it occurs during breathing is annoying because it is exasperated by severe seasonal allergies that I have.
%-) *Discomfort/dull pain while moving your shoulders/arms inward.
My chest does not pop regularly or while sneezing and I sincerely hope it never starts to. However, it does remain as I continue to strength train and target the upper body. I specifically avoid most free weights that would target your chest. Instead, I limit the routine to only to positions that target specific arm muscles.
:-| I would like further advice on how to live with this discomfort and pain, while still trying to carry on an active life style. I certainly do not want to make it worse than it already is, because it doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon.
? *Will targeting your back muscles alleviate the stress placed on your chest? If so, which ones?
? *What other exercises can counter the chest?
? *Are there any daily stretch routines to be applied (without popping the chest)?
Thanks and take care, best of luck to those experiencing the same issues. 8)
Hi,
I'm 25 and I have this affliction, too. It began, however, before I recently started working out.
I can crack just about every joint in my body, so I think my extra mobility added to the first crack. I played Rugby League and Rugby Union between the ages of about 12 - 20 but never experienced the problem with my chest during that period.
About 6 - 9 months ago my chest cracked for the first time. It wasn't particularly painful but was quite uncomfortable. About 3 months ago I started doing boxing training. This obviously involves a lot of punching, pushups and situps. There isn't very much back-strengthening that goes on, it's mainly the front. Anyway, the morning after the 3rd or 4th training session, I cracked my back and it HURT BIG TIME. I ended up massaging my chest and pushing it in a bit to flex the "joint" and move it about. The subsequent cracks hurt less and less.
Here are some factors about me that seem common with others in the forum
- relatively strong chest and arms but weak upper back
- Stressful job
- Work at a computer for long hours
- My joints crack - including my neck
- Sometimes I can't stretch back far enough to pop my chest
Cheers!
James
I'm 25 and I have this affliction, too. It began, however, before I recently started working out.
I can crack just about every joint in my body, so I think my extra mobility added to the first crack. I played Rugby League and Rugby Union between the ages of about 12 - 20 but never experienced the problem with my chest during that period.
About 6 - 9 months ago my chest cracked for the first time. It wasn't particularly painful but was quite uncomfortable. About 3 months ago I started doing boxing training. This obviously involves a lot of punching, pushups and situps. There isn't very much back-strengthening that goes on, it's mainly the front. Anyway, the morning after the 3rd or 4th training session, I cracked my back and it HURT BIG TIME. I ended up massaging my chest and pushing it in a bit to flex the "joint" and move it about. The subsequent cracks hurt less and less.
Here are some factors about me that seem common with others in the forum
- relatively strong chest and arms but weak upper back
- Stressful job
- Work at a computer for long hours
- My joints crack - including my neck
- Sometimes I can't stretch back far enough to pop my chest
Cheers!
James
I have experienced the same symptoms for around 2 years now. I will be 31 next month and have a similar body makeup as some of the previous posters. I have a strong, large chest and a fairly weak upper back. I don't know if this is similar, but my posture has always been poor as well.
While it is good to know that I'm not alone in this affliction, this message board along with the other places online I have looked has not provided any real solutions. No offense to the chiropractor that posted, but I have tried that route and feel that its results were negligible and perhaps worsened the condition. At the request of one chiropractor I even took a regimen of Glucosamine, a natural supplement that is supposed to help rebuild and strengthen cartlidge. Still nothing. Has anyone found something that actually worked? Though a daunting thought, has anyone explored the possibility of some sort of surgical procedure to physically go in, set the rib in place, and perhaps via some sort of attaching mechanism like a screw permanently keep it in place? Kind of like what is sometimes done with knees and ankles?
While it is good to know that I'm not alone in this affliction, this message board along with the other places online I have looked has not provided any real solutions. No offense to the chiropractor that posted, but I have tried that route and feel that its results were negligible and perhaps worsened the condition. At the request of one chiropractor I even took a regimen of Glucosamine, a natural supplement that is supposed to help rebuild and strengthen cartlidge. Still nothing. Has anyone found something that actually worked? Though a daunting thought, has anyone explored the possibility of some sort of surgical procedure to physically go in, set the rib in place, and perhaps via some sort of attaching mechanism like a screw permanently keep it in place? Kind of like what is sometimes done with knees and ankles?
I never viewed it as a symptom. My chest has popped for as long as I can remember and it has never been painful. I just assumed it was just part of my "design". I also have a xyphoid process on my sternum that most others don't possess.
I hate to hear that it is painful for others.
It really freaks people out when I lean back or spread my arms and it pops--really loud. I can do it 10+ times daily if I want. I assumed it was like popping my knuckles. (which never really happens anymore)
I hate to hear that it is painful for others.
It really freaks people out when I lean back or spread my arms and it pops--really loud. I can do it 10+ times daily if I want. I assumed it was like popping my knuckles. (which never really happens anymore)
Im a 19 year old female, this has been happening to me for the last two years. I believe I am fully grown as I havent grown in years now. I find that the popping comes in cycles. At times my chest can be sore or painful for weeks at a time. I had thoughts of the popping starting while I was not as active as usual. Then I thought maybe it comes from sleeping on my side. I had thoughts that it may be because I have a poor diet and dont eat as much dairy or vitamins as I probably should be.
Ive been sick and sneezing constantly and I am looking for relief!!!
Has anyone found any excersises that help?
Ive been sick and sneezing constantly and I am looking for relief!!!
Has anyone found any excersises that help?
hi, im 22 really skinny, no strength anywhere just speed i actually received this pain by sneezing 2 weeks ago, i think what did it, was me laying down in an awkward position when i sneezed, i heard the pop, and had some mild pain, but i didnt have it as bad as you guys, in order for me to feel it while stretching i would have to really expand uncomfortably to feel the pain, or do really slow diamond push ups, unfortunaly i work out everyday which include push ups, curls and bench presses, so i couldnt live with this pain, so what i did was i bought some "EXTRA STRENGTH ICYHOT PAIN RELIEVING CREAM" comes in a tube looks like tooth paste, first i would take a shower, then do some push ups to aggravate the pain, then rub the cream on my sternum really hard to work it in, aggravating the pain while doing so, i stopped exercising completely during this process, i did this 3 times a day until i ran out of cream, which took about 2 weeks, and i havent felt the pain since, but i do sit up immediately when im about to sneeze out of fear it will happen again, hope this works for you guys, and if it does email me i'd like to know _[removed]_