Question
Hello,
About 2 weeks ago I did a massive amount of moving around  
containers of differing weights. I've done this before with
no untoward effects.  3 nights ago I went to turn over in
bed and was instantly frozen in place by an electric shock
in the ribs from approximately under my right axilla to
around and under my right breast.  It caused me to gasp out
loud, freeze in place and hold my breath to try and not
make it worse.  The pain/shock had a stuttering sensation
after it tapered off after about 10 seconds. It's now day 3
and it keeps happening.  When I'm up doing activity I never
know what will cause it to occur.  Sometimes there is
radiation up into the axilla and under the lower aspect of
the scapula.  All this occurs only on the right side of my
body. Between "shocks" I have no pain at all. But I can
tell you when these symptoms hit all movement ceases until
the spell passes. I expect it's something to do with the
thoracic area and I put myself on advil daily to reduce any
swelling at the thoracic vertebra outlet but Wow!!! does
this thing put a crimp in daily activity due to not knowing
when the pain is going to hit.  Average of 50 + shocks
daily.  Any thoughts...
Thank you for your time.
I'm a 56 year old female, active and strong.

Answer
'electric sensations' , pinched nerve , costo-chondritis , rib sprain-strain ,




Hello Kay Brooks,

Sorry to hear of your aches, pains, 'electric shocks'.

It is probably due to your heavy work.  It is probably musculo-skeletal in origin.   It is probably NOT your heart.

But,,,, chest pain, thoracic pain,,, 56 years old,,,
When was your last general physical?  Is all okay?  Any high cholseterol, any high blood pressure, take any medications?- actually , scratch that;  women have atypical heart symptoms.  You have chest/ arm (axilla)/ back pains- it is probably NOT your heart, but to be safe rather then sorry:  I recommend a good physical examination by a licensed health professional.

Your problem is probably musculo-skeletal, and a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)is more then appropriate for that arena.  You could choose to go to a local DC, but make sure you mention all of your aches/ pain/ history; and make sure the Doctor does a good consultation and examination to rule out the need for further cardiac evaluation.

Your symptoms may well be a 'pinched nerve'- which can give those symptoms like 'electric shocks', possible a strain or sprain, or another longshot: costochondritis.  Your local DC or MD would be able to rule these long-distance guesses out with a history and physical examination of the patient- you.

So, I recommend a physical examination. Your local DC could do it; but you need an evaluation by a licensed health professional.

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize informational handouts- perhaps this info will be of help to you:




PAIN     

Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?
 
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

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?

    
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) ;

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.



Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.


Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
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,   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



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



"" pinched nerves ""

VSC?  
the    Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex     
(aka:  the  揝ubluxation?

Many times a patient will come to the Doctor of Chiropractic ?憛as a last resort厭,  often  after  憛.everything else has been tried??  This is frustrating to the Doctor (the DC),  yet also satisfying.  

 Frustrating?, Satisfying?, ,,,why?-  Many times a symptom, an ache a pain, a condition can be caused by the 慡ubluxation??the 慍hiropractic Lesion?  Just as germs, the Virus or Bacteria- is the 憁edical lesion?(- the MD looks for germs, the DC looks for subluxation).   

Many times an unexplained condition, after exam after exam, blood tests, Xray, MRI, EKG, EMG, etc., etc., --- Chiropractic can help the patient.  Why- because only a Doctor of Chiropractic will check for subluxation- as well as run the 憈raditional?tests.


           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.


Subluxation  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:     The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  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.  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,   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
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Rule out the bad stuff first.

I hope this helps.

I hope this motivates you to get a proper workup.

If you need to re-contact me, do not hesitate to click on AllExperts.com:
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thank you, I wish you Good Luck, and Good Health Naturally,

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