QuestionI have been seeing a chiropractor since Sept. In Sept, I suddenly developed pain in my mid back that felt like knives going through my spine. The treatments were effective and by Dec. I was just about pain free and the chiropractor had me on 2 times per month maintenance. Almost a month ago, I have developed a new pain in my back that is generating toward the front of my right abdomen that seems to be following my ribs. The pain is worse when I twist my torso or when I reposition myself while sitting in a chair stretching myself upward. The latter movement almost takes my breath away. I am able to sleep on either side or my back pain free, however, I need to be very careful how I get into my bed or I will get the acute pain. I am pain free when I awake, but when I begin to move after standing, the pain begins and grows stronger. I am not in constant pain during the day, but it will increase or become acute with twisting and some lifting movements. I can bend over forward without any pain but am unable to bed sideways without causing pain. Putting ice on the painful area does provide some relief. I am wondering if I could have done something to my rib recently. My husband has recently had some major medical problems and lost muscle strength, so I was helping him up from a sitting position by putting my arms around his chest under his armpits and then having him put his arms around to my back tightly and then I would raise both of us to a standing position using the muscles in my upper legs. I recall one time thinking "oh, that hurt my back". My questions to you are: Could I have broken a rib? Why am I not getting relief from the now 2 times a week chiropractic visits? What do you suggest?
Answeryou may have had a slight relapse, especially if your still lifting him. It sounds like a rib problem. It is possible that its fractured, but if it is there is nothing they can do for a fractured rib. Only to let it heal on its own. If the rib is displaced then you need to have that adjusted and re positioned.
