Question
Over the past 4 years I have been experiencing pain in my right side/flank area. It all started around the time when I was working as a Liberian Assistant lifting very heavy boxes of books on to a cart (50 to 75 lbs.) all day long; also I was renovating my kitchen at home and may have hurt my self installing the plumbing under the sink laying on my right flank up against the knife edge of the lower part of the cabinet? I抳e had CAT scans, MRI抯, ultrasounds and rib cage bone scans to know avail. All my blood test over the last 4 years has also come back negative. My Doctor is stumped; a he just recently admitted its a muscle problem. At first I only felt it when I was lying in bed on my right side and now its always present. There are day when it doesn't bother me and days when I need to apply a nova cane patch the doctor gave me for the pain. It feels like a score just under the skin around the lower rib and when its aggravated it radiates into a wide area. I have been wondering if I tore a muscle or tissue in that area and it just won't heel it can be aggravated if I rub it too much or working around the house with the back support on do to back problems from over the years. Thank for listening. Paul

Answer
Paul,
Back supports have not been proven to help you and they actually may make your back muscles weaker so I would suggest that you not wear the brace anymore.
Next, can you send me any pics from the MRI or CAT scans?
Lastly,  if you would like to go to a Doctor that should be able to help you then send me your location.  Hang in there, help is on the way.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Arnone
St Louis, MO