QuestionHello, thank you for taking tome to read my story.
A year ago after a period of increased activity (son broke leg I was lifting wheelchair in and out of car and shovelling snow off drive) I noticed a pain in my left pectoral whenever pressure was applied. Shortly after this I felt a painful muscle spasm at the site every now and again for a month. I then was carrying a very heavy bag on my left shoulder that kept falling on to my arm this made the spasms' more painful and more frequent, two days later I felt a great heat in my chest and have been left with a constant dull annoying pain since. I have has a mammogram #good# and echocardiogram#normal# and two chest X-rays #normal# are you able to let me know what my problem may be? thanking you in advance
AnswerStaten Island Chiropractor, chest pain, long term chronic pain, lifting injury, muscle spasm, heavy lifting, heat vs cold therapy, Staten Island chiropractic,
Hello Karen,
Thank You for your question. I am sorry you are in pain for a whole year!
First, let me say that you are lucky, why? Well, I see from your question info, that you are writing from the United Kingdom; you get your healthcare for free! In the USA we are still debating Free Healthcare for all. Here, we still have to pay, and this sometimes deters proper, timely care.
With your Free Healthcare, and with pain for a year; my first recommendation is to see a new, different Doctor- tomorrow. A year is a Loooooooooong time to fiddle around before getting an answer. Pain is your body talking to you. Listen and translate that conversation!
Directly to your question; "...A year ago after a period of increased activity (son broke leg I was lifting wheelchair in and out of car and shovelling snow off drive) I noticed a pain in my left pectoral whenever pressure was applied.....", it sounds like you were doing a LOT of heavy lifting, strenuous activity. Do you remember a specific instance where you felt a >pull<, pop, crack, >strain< ? Even if you do not remember a SPECIFIC instance of injury, perhaps you over did it- an 'overuse injury', a chronic sprain strain, a myofascitis, a repetitive stress injury. Sounds like you did a lot of strenuous activity that you were not used to and injured yourself.
You say, "....Shortly after this I felt a painful muscle spasm at the site every now and again for a month. I then was carrying a very heavy bag on my left shoulder that kept falling on to my arm this made the spasms' more painful and more frequent, two days later I felt a great heat in my chest and have been left with a constant dull annoying pain since.....", again- your description helps us to locate WHEN your condition/ pain started, AND that strenuous muscular activity caused your complaint.
You have had some testing and report, "...I have has a mammogram #good# and echocardiogram#normal# and two chest X-rays #normal# ...", it is good that you have ruled out some possible causes of your complaint. Of course I am happy to hear that your Mammogram came back normal (no signs of cancer), ECG is normal (heart functioning properly), and that your chest Xrays are clear (lungs clear). Now what has your Chiropractor, Orthopedist, or Physiatrist said about the musculoskeletal aspect of your chest?
It certainly sounds MSK (musculo-skeletal). Your history shows muscular overwork. You talk of muscle spasm. You have 'clean' Xrays/ mammo/ ECG. Now we certainly have to move into the muscular/ tendon/ ligament/ joint/ nerve/ skeletal aspect (soft tissue of the MSK system). Skeleton has 'kind of' been assessed: Xrays show no fractures/ dislocations/ occult pathologies. Now it is time perhaps for an ultrasound NOT to assess the heart/ lungs, but to assess the muscles/ joints of the chest. Now it is time perhaps for an EMG ( a nerve test) to look for an irritated/ 'pinched nerve'. Now it is time for a 'Physical Medicine Specialist', such as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), or Orthopedic Medical Doctor (MD), or perhaps a Physiatrist (MD), to MANUALLY and FUNCTIONALLY evaluate your neck/ thorax/ chest/ shoulders- muscles/ joint/ ligament/ tendon complexes.
Again, it is good that you have had the previous testing. I often tell my Staten Island Chiropractic patients that testing is JUST AS IMPORTANT for what it rules out, as for what it rules in! We are happy to proceed into other areas, knowing that your chest and heart and lungs have been fairly thoroughly examined. I think you may find a myofascitis , a tendinitis, a chronic muscle problem, perhaps a joint complex problem (ie: rib head subluxation). SEE: myofascitis- http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/myofascitis ,
http://www.zagerchiro.com/blog/2010/01/myofascitis-myofascial-pain-syndrome-and- , http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/myofascitis , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLhF_2lh8MQ .
You may be able to find a Chiropractic Specialist in your area as well, SEE: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf or http://www.acatoday.org/UserFiles/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Approved%20Chiropractic(1).pdf , Perhaps a specialist in Chiropractic Sports Medicine (DACBSP), like myself; or a Chiropractic Orthopedist is close to you. Even if one of these specialists are not available to you, your local family Doctor of Chiropractic would be more than able to evaluate you, treat you if appropriate, or refer you to a proper professional.
Don't you think it is time to get to the bottom of your pain (over a year history!) ?
Don't you think it is time to get APPROPRIATE treatment?
You ask, "...are you able to let me know what my problem may be?....". I think you have a MSK type problem, whether it is a subluxation of a joint, chronic muscular problem, a tendinopathy, or something related along these lines: I think you have a musculo-skeletal problem. Go to a neuro-musculo-skeletal specialist such as your local Family Chiropractic Doctor who deals MANUALLY and FUNCTIONALLY with your MSK system. If not the local DC then a Medical Specialist such as an Orthopedist or Physiatrist.
In my Staten Island Chiropractor office I hand out information sheets, perhaps this information will be interesting to you:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
RED LIGHT = Trouble !!
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
Think you should listen??
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
Pain Killing medication??? = 16,000 deaths ( probably under-reported )
DEATH ! ? ! ? better watch out on those medications!!!
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468 Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001) Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together. BE CAREFUL WITH THAT MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Staten Island Chiropractor; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine; Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010; Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis); Staten Island SPORTS Hall of Fame- Unsung Hero 2011; Selected to the Medical Staff of the 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara Mexico
I hope you find that information helpful! Do NOT just take pills to cover up the PAIN !!! Pain is your body TALKING TO YOU= you should LISTEN!!!
With all that said, be optimistic. You may be hurting, but from what you have told me, your situation is treatable, correctable, and probably NOT that serious.
You say that you had no trauma, nothing severe or strenuous: "....i don't remember falling hard, and i didn't hit anything at all. i never had any trauma or surgery in my ribs.....". This is good. If you did NOT have any trauma, it is unlikely that you fractured (broke) anything. But- if this was your first day snowboarding, first day of a LOT of activity, perhaps you 'overdid' it, maybe you did too much too soon. You may have strained or sprained your muscles or ribcage- just by doing too much. I would still recommend the Xray, but it may find nothing fractured; but that knowledge is just as important as if it found something! Tests are important for what the test rules out, as well as for what the test rules in.
You say; "....i noticed that when i breathe in i can feel my ribcage popping in that area. it hurts, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. when i lay down on my right side, the pain seems to go away....." again, with no trauma, this points more to an overuse injury rather than a fracture.
You may want some tips to help you RIGHT NOW- perhaps you can find help at http://www.statenislandchiropractor.com/ and look up the P.R.I.C.E. video.
----- Another handout sheet that may be helpful after you injure or aggravate or overuse a body part:
P.R.I.C.E. =
P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ?? injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help.
PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
(ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body
parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ;
( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
See Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr20Tlm5py4&feature=player_embedded#!
I hope this helps. If you would like further, do not hesitate to contact your Staten Island Chiropractor Sports Injury specialist here at AllExperts.com: http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Good Luck, and I wish you Good Health!
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
