Chest pain can be a very serious complaint and warrants further investigation. The body is a complex system of organs and systems, the cause of the chest pain may be originating from other areas other than the cardiovascular system. Aside from the heart, other parts of the chest that may cause chest pain are the abdomen, lungs, oesophagus, muscle, bone and skin.
CAUSES OF CHEST PAINS
- Exercised induced chest pain
- Asthma
- Heart complications or poor blood flow
- Side effects of medications
- Digestive insufficiency (reflux, indigestion)
- Anxiety & Stress (depleted adrenal function)
- Musculo-skeletal tension, strain, injury or spinal misalignment
- Poor oxygenation to the circulation
- High blood pressure
- Related to poor posture
- Arhymthia or Tachycardia
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR CHEST PAINS
- B Vitamins – specific for nervous system function, particularly in times of stress, improve digestion
- Bach Flower Rescue Remedy acts on the nervous system to help relieve tension and stress
- Magnesium – nerve transmission, muscle contraction and relaxation, stress responses rapidly deplete Magnesium stores
A combination of herbs is generally considered by Naturopaths to be the best way to address problems as the synergistic action of the herbs when combined are more effective. Herbal and Nutritional remedies to assist the nervous system:
- Passionflower – antispasmodic, anxiolytic, spasmolytic
- Chamomile – antispasmodic, carminative and nervine
- Vervain – strengthens the nervous system while relaxing tension and stress, melancholia and depression
- Oats – nervine tonic and antispasmodic
- St Johns Wort – antidepressant, nervous system carminative
- Skullcap – antispasmodic and nervine tonic
- Rhodiola – increases the bodies resistance to stress, adrenal support, mood enhancement, relief of mental or physical fatigue
LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR CHEST PAINS
- Breathing and meditation to release stress on the body, lungs, torso and musculo-skeletal system
- Osteopathy or Cranio-sacral balancing is hugely important if there has been recent trauma to the spine, muscles or to assist the nervous system to let go of stress
- Manage stress – write a diary daily to help to release deep emotional problems, exercise, talk to people you trust, motivate yourself to live your passions
- Yoga or stretching program to assist in aligning the skeletal system and release muscle tension
- Swimming to build healthy muscle, reprogram lung and breathing patterns, release anxiety and calm the nerves
- Treat digestive problems – poor digestion can lead to reflux (acid), gut stress, diaphragm tension and general mineral deficiencies
FURTHER INFORMATION FOR CHEST PAINS
Speak to your doctor about a stress test which is a physical exercise test to help to determine cardiovascular and nervous system function. Other important test to determine the cause of the chest pain are an ECG, blood tests or X-Rays