Question
For the past couple months I have had a popping clicking feeling at the bottom of my ribs between where they meet. I have no pain at all, just a sensation that something is rubbing popping in there. I have not experienced any injury, (though my 2 year old son does love to jump on me while I'm laying on the couch). I hear/feel the popping/click when I am standing up, or sitting leaning forward. If I am leaning back or laying on my back I never hear of feel anything. It only happens when I take a deep breath in, and it only makes the "popping" on exhaling and only at the very end of finishing the exhale. Its like my 2 ribs are scrunching together and hitting something in there. If I hold my hand there (like where the xiphoid is) while I breathe I can stop the popping from happening. Also sometimes when I take a deep breath and exhale and stop the exhale just before I've completely finished I can push in that area and pop it myself. I'm just wondering if this is something to be concerned about since there is not pain involved. Is there anything in that area that could be seriously wrong? Or is it just cartilage in there that mushing around? Thanks so much,

Answer
Dear Anne,

Here are a couple of thoughts...

First of all, my answer is just conjecture. A good examination is essential.

But, odds are... this is nothing to worry about...

That being said, I think that if it were me, or if you were my patient, I would refer you to a pulmonologist/MD for an evaluation. There are many organs in our body that do not give off any pain when they malfunction. I would want to make sure that the lungs were good and healthy and that the liver and stomach were fine.  That is why I would probably start with a lung doctor.  Another option would be to start at your General Practice MD.  He/she would be able to perform some basic tests and then direct you as needed.  

Like I said before, this doesn't sound like anything serious, but it is best to make sure.

It is very likely that all you are experiencing is a little shift in the ribs, or maybe a strain at the joint between the rib and the rib cartilage, but why worry and take the chance?

Put your mind at ease. Go and see your MD. If he/she thinks that it is nothing, then I would try a chiropractor. The ribs attach to the thoracic spine (mid back), so it is possible that the clicking is due to a rotational fixation of segments in the mid back region.

Anne, I hope that you are able to get to the bottom of this odd symptom, and that my advise has at least given you some food for thought. Good luck,

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