I think you are right. I think that costo is a sign of something else that causes the inflammation. For some that mystery problem seems to settle in the rib cartilidge, like us. That's what I kept telling that sad yahoo forum group...look for the cause, not just pain management. For me I think it was my liver. I was diagnosed with a fatty liver during the investigation into my pain. They thought it was gallbladder. I'm so happy I had that Ultrasound because at the time I didn't even know where my liver and gallbladder were LOL! I think that's why the Liver Flushes were the beginning of the end of my pain. And when I feel my costo flair up again, I'm pretty sure it's my liver acting up. But after 6 mos of liver flushing, I went in for a MRI and lo and behold, fatty liver and a cyst on the liver had vanished. Certain exercises also cause it to flair up so I'm very careful about twisting my torso.
Thanks for responding. I so wanted to drag a bunch from yahoo over here to the costo forum I set up but no one seems to ever post in there. Too bad, there are so many that could benefit from CZ regarding this condition.