Dr. Prabhakar Shetty

Chest pain may be caused by multiple problems within the body and while being a problem in itself, may also be a symptom of a bigger underlying problem. Chest pain may be caused by anything from simple chest congestion due to a cold to something far more serious such as the onset of a heart attack. While it is important that life style changes be made to prevent major issues, homeopathy can provide relief for many symptoms till extensive medical steps are taken to correct the problem.

Some causes of chest pain
1. Angina
2. Onset of a heart attack
3. Atherosclerosis
4. Weakness of the arteries
5. Weakness of the heart muscle
6. Palpitations
7. Bradycardia
8. Chest congestion or cold

Symptoms associated with chest pain

1. Stable angina – Vice like constriction or choking, pain may be spread to right or left arm or both, dyspnoea before pain.
2. Unstable angina – Chest pain occurs at rest.
3. Pericarditis – Pain radiates to the left side of the shoulder which gets worse by lying in a flat position.
4. Pneumothorax – Severe chest pain along with shortness of breath, cyanosis, restlessness and collapse.
5. Pneumonia – Sharp pain which, gets worse by taking deep breath and coughing.
6. Pulmonary embolism – Short rapid breathing, sharp pain in middle of the chest that is worse by deep breathing.
7. Gastroesophagial reflux disease – Difficult painful swallowing, pain in the middle of chest which, extends to neck, back and shoulders.
8. Myocardial – Vomiting, dyspnoea features of shock, profuse sweating, fever, low blood pressure, pulse small rapid and irregular

Homeopathic remedies for various kinds of chest pain

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which a patient is suffering.

The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat chest pain, but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility of the patient. For this patient’s current symptoms, past medical history and family history are taken into account. There are many homeopathic remedies which cover the symptoms of chest pain and can be selected on the basis of cause, location, sensation, modalities and extension of the pain. For individualized remedy selection and treatment of chest pain, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. In medical emergencies like myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, immediate hospitalization is usually required. Some important remedies are given below for the treatment of chest pain:

• Arnica mont. – Chest pain with sore and bruised feeling.
• Ranunculus b. – Good remedy for intercostal rheumatism, sharp stitching pain in the chest along with dyspnoea.
• Kali carb. – Stitching pain in the chest,  which gets worse between 2-3 A.M
• Actea racemosa. – Pain worse on the right side.
• Bryonia – Chest pain is of stitching, burning and stabbing in nature, is worse by motion and better by rest and pressure. Thirst for large quantities of water and dryness of mucous membranes often accompanies.
• Rumex c. – Sharp stitching pain through the left lung, often with cough.
• Stannum – Knife like stitches, worse on bending forward and left side.
• Phosphorus – Violent tickling cough, chest pain due to tuberculosis of lungs or pneumonia along with oppression of the chest.
• Aconite – Chest pain due to pneumonia of first stage along with anxiety and restlessness.
• Robinia – Burning pain behind sternum due to hyperacidity.
• Strophanthus – Chest pain is of stitching and twitching in nature and often of cardiac origin. If you wish to discuss about any spIfecific problem, you can consult a homeopath.