Private costochondritis clinic in London, same-day GP.
Costochondritis is inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone. It causes sharp chest pain that is reproduced by pressing on the spot, and it is entirely benign. It is also a diagnosis made only after cardiac causes have been properly considered — because the two can feel similar and one of them matters a great deal more. Our private GP clinic in East London offers same-day costochondritis assessment with a private GP, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
The condition
What is costochondritis?
Costochondritis is inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone. It causes sharp chest pain that is reproduced by pressing on the spot, and it is entirely benign. It is also a diagnosis made only after cardiac causes have been properly considered — because the two can feel similar and one of them matters a great deal more.
- What costochondritis is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding costochondritis
Costochondritis: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Call 999 if chest pain is
- central, heavy, tight or crushing and lasting more than 15 minutes
- spreading to the jaw, neck, back or either arm
- accompanied by sweating, nausea or breathlessness
- accompanied by a sense of impending doom
- sudden and tearing, felt through to the back
- sharp and worse on breathing in with breathlessness or coughing blood
Tenderness on pressing the chest wall makes a cardiac cause less likely but does not exclude one, and the two can coexist. If you have risk factors for heart disease and new chest pain, get assessed rather than reasoning your way to costochondritis. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.
What it feels like
- Sharp, aching or pressure-like pain at the front of the chest, usually on the left, over the joints beside the breastbone.
- Reproducible by pressing on the affected joint — the single most characteristic feature.
- Worse with deep breathing, coughing, twisting, lifting or lying on that side.
- Often affects more than one rib joint, and may radiate across the chest or into the arm, which is what causes the alarm.
- Comes on gradually or after unaccustomed exertion, coughing, or a chest infection, and frequently with no identifiable trigger at all.
What causes it
- unaccustomed lifting, gym work, DIY or carrying
- a prolonged bout of coughing
- a recent viral illness or chest infection
- minor chest trauma
- poor posture, or long periods hunched over a desk
- often nothing identifiable
Tietze syndrome
A closely related condition in which one rib joint — usually the second or third — is not only painful but visibly swollen. Costochondritis has tenderness without swelling; Tietze has both. Tietze is less common, tends to affect younger adults, and the swelling can take months to settle even after the pain has gone. The treatment is the same.
Treatment
- Anti-inflammatories — ibuprofen or naproxen, taken regularly for a week or two rather than occasionally, if they suit you. Topical gel works well here because the joint is superficial.
- Heat — a heat pack or warm shower, several times a day.
- Relative rest from the aggravating activity, but keep moving — complete rest stiffens the chest wall.
- Gentle stretching of the chest and shoulders, and attention to posture.
- Avoid heavy lifting and pushing for a few weeks.
- Where pain is persistent, a local injection can be considered.
How long it lasts
It resolves completely and leaves no damage. It can recur, and a recurrence in someone who has had it confirmed before is usually recognisable — but a change in the character of the pain is a reason to be reassessed rather than assumed.
The anxiety part
Chest pain generates fear, and fear generates chest tightness and hyperventilation, which produces more chest pain. Many people with costochondritis end up in a loop of checking, worrying and repeated attendances. A clear diagnosis, properly explained, breaks that loop far more effectively than another set of normal tests — which is a good argument for having it assessed once, thoroughly.
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See a private GP for costochondritis in London
At our private GP clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private GP or costochondritis doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant GP will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about costochondritis.
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A private GP clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private costochondritis appointment with a GP, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private GP clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and GP under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private GP for costochondritis — the same day.
Book a private costochondritis assessment in East London: same-day appointments, GP-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Costochondritis in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private costochondritis specialist near me in East London?
Our private GP clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private GP or costochondritis doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private GP for costochondritis the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a GP or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private costochondritis appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the costochondritis assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private GP for costochondritis?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a GP, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private costochondritis care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.