Chest Pain

UT Southwestern Medical Center offers expert, compassionate care for patients experiencing chest pain, including pain associated with:

• Esophageal spasm
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Panic attacks or anxiety
• Rib fractures
• Shingles
• Trauma

Treatments

Depending on your specific condition, our specialists may prescribe medications to control acid reflux for GERD, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for musculoskeletal disorders, and anti-anxiety medications to help control panic attacks and stress.

Patients with rib fractures, shingles, or trauma may be candidates for treatment using intercostal nerve blocks, which UT Southwestern specialists administer by injecting medication between the ribs in the area causing pain. Most patients experience immediate pain relief but may require a series of injections over a period of time to complete the entire treatment.