Question
About 1 1/2 weeks ago I went to the chiropractor for back pain on my left side radiating to under my arm and to my chest.  He said It was a dislocated rib head, put it back in place and I went on my way.  Long story short, I've had to have it put back into place 4 times now.  I've been very careful not to do anything that would cause it to reoccure, unless it's in my sleep.  It's getting ridiculous having to go in every other day.  What else could be causing this, my chiropractor seems dumbfounded and offers no explanation....just scheduling me for another appt.  What can I do...physical therapy? rib belt?
I am also diagnosed with Lupus and Fibromyagia if that matters.
Thanks!

Answer
staten island kinesiotape , kinesio tape




Hello Sarah,

I am sorry to hear of your pain.

I am going to assume the diagnosis of 'rib head dislocation' is correct.  You do get transient relief with a manipulation.

Most problems are multi-factoral, and joint problems are no different.
RE-placing the rib head in proper position is only 1/2 the battle, support, maintenance of that proper position is necessary also.

Perhaps you wore braces upon your teeth growing up, or know/ knew someone who went to the dentist and got braces.  Braces RE-placed, moved bones, manipulated your teeth into a more proper position.  AFTER the manipulation of those tooth bones, a retainer was worn- perhaps for a year to help train those bones (teeth) to 'stay in place'.

Your rib bone is no different from your tooth bone.  Besides REplacing it, REpositioning it, there needs to be support of that new position.

Often this may mean repeated visits for the manipulative treatment- you already have an unstable musculoskeletal system with Lupus and Fibro.
          But, I think some immediate help is available- support through KinesioTaping.  KinesioTape, invented by a Doctor of Chiropractic could be very helpful in your case.  Your DC should adjust you, properly REplace the offending rib head, and then tape it in place.  This tape is flexible and mobile- see my attached info (I give this as an information handout in my Staten Island Office).

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kinesiotaping:



Olympic Athletic Performance
.

.
I have been using kinesio taping in my office over two years. Very different
from regular white athletic strapping tape, I was one of the early sports docs
utilizing this approach. .

.
Fun to see the articles on kinesio taping at the Olympics, here is
one:

Watching Olympian Kerri Walsh compete in beach volleyball last week, many viewers were wondering the same thing: what is that black thing on her shoulder?

A tattoo? A bizarre fashion statement? No. Ms. Walsh was sporting a new type of athletic tape called Kinesio, touted by doctors as a better way to relieve pain and promote healing of injured muscles.
The appearance of Kinesio on the well-toned Ms. Walsh ?she even wore it while meeting President Bush ?has spurred international interest in the little-known brand. In black, pink, blue and beige, the tape has been spotted on a number of other Olympians, including the shoulder of U.S. water polo player Lauren Wenger and the elbows of Canadian Greco Roman wrestler Ari Taub.

Members of Spain抯
basketball team and Jamaica抯 track team are wearing it.
Traditionally, white athletic tapes are wrapped around gauze to form a stiff bandage that immobilizes a joint or muscle. By comparison, the 100-percent cotton Kinesio tape is said to be modeled on the thickness and elasticity of real skin.

The flexible tape is applied to the skin in specific patterns, depending on the injury, a technique designed to create support and guide injured muscles and joints without limiting the athlete抯 range of motion.

揟his tape moves with the body, so the biomechanics are still there,'?said John Jarvis, director of Kinesio USA.
Both the tape and the new wrapping technique have spread mostly by word-of-mouth among athletes, doctors and trainers who swear by it. Cycling great Lance Armstrong reportedly dedicates a page to the tape in his latest book. Recently soccer superstar David Beckham traded jerseys after a game and was spotted with pink Kinesio tape on his back.

Some limited data suggest it may be effective. In July, the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Therapy published a study of 42 people with shoulder injuries. Half of them were treated with Kinesio tape applied in a pattern designed to support the injured muscle. The other half were given a 搒ham?treatment in which two strips of tape were simply pressed across the arm. The study was conducted by physical therapists at Winn Army Community Hospital in
Fort Stewart, Ga., who didn抰 receive funding from the tape company (important: OBJECTIVE study,,, rather than drug research PAID for by drug companies?.).
Notably, the study participants who received the real therapeutic tape treatment reported an immediate improvement in pain.

Last year, Research in Sports Medicine published a study from San Jose State University showing that in 30 healthy test subjects, use of the tape along the lower trunk area appeared to increase the range of motion.

Kinesio claims that in addition to supporting injured muscles and joints, the new taping method helps relieve pain by lifting the skin, allowing blood to flow more freely to the injured area. The tape is also widely used in pediatric physical therapy for muscle disorders like cerebral palsy.



What Does Kinesio Taping Do?

Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without
affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for Preventive
Maintenance, Edema, and Pain Management

Kinesio Taping was invented by a Doctor of Chiropractic, and is
utilized- especially by SPORTS Chiropractors throughout the world. Kinesio
Taping helps the body heal naturally, can be used preventatively, as treatment,
in rehab, during competition, or as a 憈ake home?treatment applied by the Chiropractor (medical doctors give drugs, chiropractic doctors give tape) .

Kinesio Taping is a technique based on the body's own natural
healing process. This Kinesio Taping exhibits its efficacy through the activation of neurological and circulatory systems. This method basically stems from the science of Kinesiology, hence the name "Kinesio". Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the
muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms.

Consequently, so much attention was given to the importance of
muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body's own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of Kinesio Taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles,
and organs. The first application of Kinesio Taping was for a patient with articular disorders.

For the first 10 years, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other
medical practitioners were the main users of Kinesio Taping. Soon thereafter, Kinesio Taping was used by the Japanese Olympic volleyball players and word quickly spread to other athletes. Today, Kinesio Taping is accepted by medical practitioners and athletes in Japan, United States, Europe, South America and
other Asian countries.


The Kinesio Taping Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain
and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/day basis. It is non-restrictive type of taping which allows for full range of motion.

In contrast, traditional sports' taping is wrapped around a
joint strictly for stabilization and support during a sporting event obstructing the flow of bodily fluids... an UNDESIRABLE side-effect.

Kinesio Tape is used for anything from headaches to foot problems
and everything in between. Examples include: muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis,
patella tracking, pre and post surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, 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

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If your Doctor of Chiropractic does not do this supportive technique, I recommend you find a Doctor who will adjust you AND tape you.

A doctor with a sports injury  credential would be appropriate (CCSP or DACBSP).  http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf

I hope the above information helps you.

As an aside, I would recommend a book and website for your fibro:

http://www.amazon.com/Medications-Treatment-Dizziness-Fibromyalgia-Conditions/dp...

and  
http://lifechangingcare.com/

Do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts if further is needed.


I wish you Good Luck and Good Health Naturally,
your Staten Island Chiropractor,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com    (Email newsletter)