Chronic chest pain and panic attack help?
Ive had chest pain since since Feb 2009 and I have been to various doctors about it and turns out its caused by general lack of exercise, being fat and having bad sitting positions. I get chest pains all the time, normally I begin to notice them a couple of hours after waking up, and i can feel achey/ pain till i go to sleep. So, any advice on what exercises to do to loosen up and improving my chest muscles and improve my fitness, or any yoga positions or anything like that?
I also get panic attacks about my chest pains from time to time. When i first got the pains i was worried it might be my heart or lungs or just anything serious, as im not that overweight, my bmi is 26, so i didnt think it could be because of me being fat and getting no exercise (although i have been told since it is). Id get panicky about particually bad bouts of pain being my heart playing up and then a panic attack would follow (which makes chest pain worse). I still get them, I had my worst one last night which is why im writing this question.
So, what can i do to calm myself if i have a pa, and is there anyway i can avoid them alltogether? Ive had reassurance from a ‘heart machine’ (the one where you have pads stuck on your body) that my heart is fine, but i still get them. Im at university away from home so going home isnt really an option, although it does work/ calm me down, and have been picked up once. Is there anything people around me can do?
It sounds to me as though some of our problem is psychosomatic. Depending on where you live, I have found that most pain can be diminished by a warmer climate. Once this is attained, I have been able to actually do some physical activity. Unassisted walking is now possible as is being able to play billiards…something I have been denied for over 2 decades. None the less, you do need to get some physical exercise via some activity.
L8r
Comments
Comment from Fizgig454
Time January 15, 2010 at 2:58 pm
to improve your posture, you’re going to need to strengthen your core muscles. Your abdomen, your back, and your shoulders.
Squats will help. Especially if you can get to a gym and add some resistance to it while twisting your torso as you stand after each squat. They have machines that look like a large square you stand under with ropes on each side connected to weights. grab the ropes, squat down facing forward, then stand up while twisting and extending one arm in the direction you’re twisting. (like you’re doing an uppercut in street fighter)
It’s a really hard workout (I was surprised how hard), but it’s very effective.
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Comment from Dee
Time January 15, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Try self hypnosis techniques and relaxation audios. Daily walking by itself can help, anything cardio can help. Look at your diet, how much caffeine do you consume. If you drink a lot of coffee switch to decaf, there is a lot of coffee in colas and especially in those energy drinks. Avoid those if you have panic attacks. If you need something to help your concentration, try ginkgo biloba.
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Comment from Douglas B
Time January 15, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Because pain in your back has to be tied to something pinched you have to go through and find it and release it. Being in your rib cage is some what helpful because pains you can be having in your back often get transferred forward so it feels like it is your chest. So pinched muscles in your back can be giving you this problem. Once you get the muscles released I don’t care what position you sit in or how heavy you are, muscles are only going to give you pain if they are pinched first. Here is how to release your back muscles:
Back:
Place your left hand on your left knee. Place your right hand over your left shoulder and with your fingertips find the muscle next to your spine. Press on it and hold. Relax, take a deep breath and exhale and don’t tense up any part of your body. After about 30 seconds there should be a release happening and when it does slowly lower yourself forward onto your right leg. If you can lean over the outside edge of your leg it will be better for your release. Continue holding for a total of one minute. Then release but rest your body there for one minute longer. Then reverse and do the right side.
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Comment from Billy
Time January 15, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Hey, I’m no doctor, but it sounds to me like these chest pains are the result of anxiety or some kind of panic disorder.
The first thing you need to do is know that nobody has ever died from a panic attack. So take some comfort in that. No matter how bad things might seem, you’ll survive it and come out the other side in one piece.
I’d suggest that you do some things to help you manage your anxiety better. Taking a little bit of time, even if it’s just 5 or 10 minutes each day, to relax and meditate is incredibly helpful. When I was working on my thesis in college, it helped me stay calm and collected just to take a short break every day to meditate.
This can be pretty simple. Just sit in a quiet place and pay attention to your breathing. That’s it. Your mind will probably wander, but that’s okay. Just bring it back to your breathing when you notice it. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel after doing this for 5 minutes.
Hope this helps.
References :
http://www.journeyofmyown.com/PanicAway.php
Comment from Raider
Time January 15, 2010 at 4:42 pm
It sounds to me as though some of our problem is psychosomatic. Depending on where you live, I have found that most pain can be diminished by a warmer climate. Once this is attained, I have been able to actually do some physical activity. Unassisted walking is now possible as is being able to play billiards…something I have been denied for over 2 decades. None the less, you do need to get some physical exercise via some activity.
L8r
References :
Comment from Purple Buni:D
Time January 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm
get in shape then!
References :
Body for Life