Question
I am a 45 year old form carpenter. A couple of months ago, while at work, I think that I pinched a nerve in my neck. This caused a radiating pain down my right arm which eventually ended up with a throbbing pain directly (inside my rib cage, in my back on the left side), it felt like a tooth ache. A couple of weeks ago, when cutting a piece of wood, I felt a pop. In my mines eye, I heard it pop. I thought that I had broken a rib due to the severity. My question is that this is a workman comp. case. They have kept me from work, yet have not ordered an MRI. Should I insist on one? I am worried about a long term problem. After two and a half weeks, I am still very careful with my  activities in fear of repeating the injury. Any advice?
Thank You,  Deborah Grajek

Answer
Deborah,

Could be (and sounds like) a displaced rib head, probably pulled out of position by muscular contractions characteristic of your work or way of working.

Chiropractic can produce temporary relief.  Clinical somatic education would probably be what you need for long-term relief by retraining your muscular action patterns.  This is a new field, so visit somatics.com and read up.  Articles at somatics.com/page4.htm.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold