[codemonkey76]

Hey guys,

I have had a cracking sternum for a few months now, minor pain feeling like it needs to crack and if i arch my shoulders back and stretch my arms back my sternum cracks, anyone else have this?

The pain is not that bad, it's just annoying

I am pretty sure it is a grappling related injury

[NinjaKilla187]

Originally Posted by codemonkey76

Hey guys,

I have had a cracking sternum for a few months now, minor pain feeling like it needs to crack and if i arch my shoulders back and stretch my arms back my sternum cracks, anyone else have this?

The pain is not that bad, it's just annoying

I am pretty sure it is a grappling related injury

I'm not sure what the name of it is but it is pretty common for weight lifters who bounce the weight of their chest when they bench and guys who do lots of weighted dips to mess up cartlige in their chest or mess up that zyphoid process bone. I once did something really, really stupid and got the same result. It cleared up after a couple months of NO training or exercise.

Rest, ice, anti-inflamatories is what everyone is going to say. I have heard of guys having that problem and it becoming chronic. I am pretty sure you can get cortizone shots in your chest but I would try everything else first. A chiropractor or good physical therapist might help with some exercises or adjustments.

[codemonkey76]

k, thanks dude, i will chat to my doctor about it next time i am in.

[whipyourasstyle]

This happens to me after I sit in certain positions for too long. (half sitting /half laying down i.e. like on a bean bag chair or husband pillow).

I have NO pain but a tightness in the chest and when I arch my shoulders back I get a loud pop in my sternum and the pressure is released.

Never thought much of it.

[Slithers]

I have this after a performing a sloppy breakfall. I can press on my sternum to pop my back and the sternum clicks, too. Getting armbarred from mount sucks, too. When it first happened it hurt really badly, but the pain has gone. Only the click remains. I think I dislocated the top rib at the sternum to cause the injury.

Yeah I think rest, ice, heat, anti inflammatorys etc are the answer, but best to talk to a doctor like you said. good luck man

[Jiu-Jitsu Cop]

I had the same problem after being slammed on the ground in training. It never did realy hurt but the center of my chest popped almost daily for about 6 months. Then it went away after a while.

[GroundWorkz]

This has happened to me a few years ago when a heavier purple belt got knee on belly ... but during the scrambled it turned into knee on chest.

It took me roughly 9 to 12 months to fully heal.

[JerseyTrash]

This is a tie in, but is cracking backs, etc bad for you? I've heard it's bad, but other people have said that it does nothing.

[danxgerous]

i have an indent in my chest, kinda like matt hughes and when i stretch, my sternum cracks all the time.

i crack my back all the time for that matter, as well.

[AlexBJJ]

I remember when i once got punched in the chest VERY hard and it hurt for about 2 months, but that is nothing like yours so i shouldnt even have posted this