Question
QUESTION: Around two years, I got punched in the sternum area.  At the time, it did not really hurt, just a dull ache.  The next day it felt much worse.  Since then, I have been to my chiropractor several times but within a few days I am always back to hurting as I am loose jointed.  I notice that certain positions, such as laying propped up on my elbows, are very painful and I often feel like popping my sternum would help.  Do you have any suggestions on how I can pop my sternum to relieve the pain.  I am a 20 year old women if that information helps.

ANSWER: Dear Sadie,

I am sorry about your injury and your residual pain.  What you have learned, in a very painful way, is that many injuries never do heal completely.  Ligament and cartilage tissue is some of the worst in healing.  The ribs attach to the sternum through cartilage and ligaments.  It is very likely that the sternal/costal joint/s were injured when you were struck.

I wish that I had a magic procedure for you... but then again, my thoughts and ideas are just that, ideas.  Since I cannot examine you, anything that I say is pure conjecture.

If I were you, I would consider the following:

1) If you are truly "loose jointed" as you say, then what you don't need is more manipulation.  Manual adjustments don't technically put things is place, but instead, they restore motion to fixated joints. If your joints are already moving well, why adjust them?
2) Perhaps you are suffering from costochondritis. If this is the case, you should consider changing your diet to a non-inflammatory diet... one that is low in refined carbs and saturated fats, and higher in raw vegetables and fruits, and lean proteins.
3) You must always consider the unexpected.  Have you talked to your doctor about your symptoms? Have you considered other chest/heart/lung/gall bladder etc diseases that could cause you discomfort?  You are a young lady, and not typically at risk for most diseases, but "never say never."

I hope, Sadie, that this is helpful to you.

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you know of any ways to safely pop my sternum.  I understand that this is a difficult question as you obviously can not examine me.  At my latest chiro visit, she suggested that I just not lie in the positions I find painful as well as make sure that my bra is well fitting.

Answer
Dear Sadie,

The sternum doesn't "pop".  It is a bone.  JOINTS will, at times make a "popping noise", but again, only at a joint, which is where two bones approximate each other.

Perhaps, with manipulation, you can get a costal/sternal (rib/sternum) joint to suddenly move or gap...or "pop", but my question would be: "Why?"

A popping and shifting costal/sternal (rib/sternum) joint is an UNSTABLE joint.  It is only clicking and popping if the ligaments that hold it steady have been torn or sprained.  I would NOT want to manipulate them "pop them" because it only adds to the instability that is already happening at the joint.

Ligaments and cartilage do not heal very well, and that is what possibly was injured when you were struck on the chest.  Don't perpetuate the ligament/cartilage injury by insisting that the damaged joint be manipulated perpetually.  Instead, avoid aggravating it, and let it heal, as best it can.

Good luck,

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com