Question
Dr. Gillman,
I'm hoping you may be able to help shed light on a troubling problem I've been having. For the past few weeks, I have had intermittent chest pain. Not a crushing sensation, and it doesn't hurt to breathe; the pain is hard to describe but it's not debilitating, just uncomfortable. Sometimes it's almost like a burning sensation. It's worse when I am sitting or laying down, and I'm not having any problems during exertion/exercise. Taking deep breaths feels good when it's happening. It has happened on both sides of my chest but primarily on the left.
A few months ago, for an unrelated problem (my MD wanted to check for a blood clot due to birth control), I had a physical exam, a chest x-ray, some blood work, then a chest CT and an exam by an internist, and none revealed anything other than some normal tachycardia. I do have a bit of anxiety, so that probably makes this worse - every time it starts I start thinking the worst! I am hoping that having had all of those tests done recently and them being negative, and the fact that its worse while sitting or resting, it may be musculoskeletal. I have a touch of scoliosis, and had a back injury and whiplash in a car accident about 10 years ago when I was 16. I seem to have a slightly increased weakness/discomfort in my upper back and neck that coincides with with the onset of the disconcerting chest pain... Is this something I should be seeing a chiropractor or physical therapist for? Have you ever dealt with a complaint like this? Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
Hi Ashly,

At age 26, it's most likely not your heart...    Scoliosis makes you more vulnerale to joint stress from simple postural strain, as the curve of your spine gets loaded up with bearing weight on it when sitting still.   Movement feels good, like moving your elbow around or rubbing it when you happen to bang it on something (for example).   So that aching, gnawing pain is quite common and brings folks to the hospital emergency department thinking they're having a heart attack.   Your car crash injury probably doesn't help, especially if you were injured an have residual issues from it.     Go find a good chiropractor.   You'll be glad you did.   See if you can find on on these lists:  www.FAKTR.com, www.GrastonTechnique.com    www.Westhartfordgroup.com    www.ACBSP.com         

'Hope this helps.

Dr G'