QuestionHello, I'm 32 and had a baby 20 months ago. Ever since the arrival of the baby, i have been having severe pain in my left rib cage when i sleep so i use to sleep on my right side, then one night, i could not sleep on that side any more so for the past one year or so i have only been sleeping on my left side. some days i wake with less pain or no pain at all, some days with more severe pains.
I have reported it to my Dr. who did blood tests, X-rays and Ultrasound scans to determine the course but nothing was found. He is so baffled i sometimes feel like he doesn't believe me. I cant really describe the pain but believe me, it is not pleasant at all.
Can you please tell me what is the course and what i can do to alleviate the pain as it is now coming even when i sit, sometimes stand for a long time or even eat late. Please help. Thank you
Answerpinched nerve, rib pain, side pain, rib subluxation, costochondritis, intercostal neuritis,
Hello Ursula,
Sorry to hear of your pain.
Congratulations on your baby!
It is great that you have had an extensive medical workup; blood tests, Xrays, Ultrasound, etc. It is not good that your MD is baffled, but he(she) has done an excellent job in ruling out medical pathology. You can take painkillers- and cover up the pain, but you know that does not get to the CAUSE of the problem. Your MD should be able to refer you to a local Doctor of Chiropractic.
It is good that the medical (pathology) causes have been ruled out, now I recommend a Chiropractic evaluation, with Chiropractic treatment if appropriate. Often people wind up in the Doctor of Chiropractic's office 'as a last resort', after having 'tried EVERYTHING else'. Ask around in your neighborhood, your community for a good local family Doctor of Chiropractic.
My Staten Island Chiropractic office often evaluates patients AFTER 'everything has been tried'. Often, there is a ""chiropractic"" problem that resolves with a regimen of Chiropractic treatment.
It is frustrating that people are often in pain for long periods of time before someone suggests a Chiropractor. I am frustrated for the patient, and the patient is frustrated and sometimes angry that they have been in pain for a period when Chiropractic was available to them. But, while it is frustrating, it is also very satisfying to help people noninvasively, safely, effectively, and naturally!
I utilize some information handouts in my Staten Island Chiropractic office that you may find helpful;
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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).
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). A Doctor of Chiropractic is a licensed health professional that will evaluate you for 'medical' as well as 'chiropractic' pathology. A Doctor of Chiropractic will readily refer you to a Medical Doctor or other specialist if appropriate.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.
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.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
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.
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You may have pain arising from mechanical misalignment in your ribs, chest, back. Your local DC will be able to evaluate for this. Perhaps your costo-chondral junction is subluxated (ribs attaching to your chest bone (sternum) anteriorly (up front)). Perhaps posteriorly (towards your back, spine) there is a rib subluxation. These joints can become 'misaligned' or have 'movement restrictions' due to the changes of pregnancy (altered weight carrying, mechanical pressure, upward-outward pressure of the baby on the chest, weight upon the spine).
Again, I am sorry for your pain.
Again Congratulations on your baby.
And congratulations on having an extensive medical workup to rule out medical causes of your pain. Bring the results of your tests to your local Doctor of Chiropractic as part of your chiropractic evaluation.
I hope this information helps you.
If necessary, do not hesitate to re-contact me at AllExperts.com @
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
I wish you good luck, and Good Health Naturally,
your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email Newsletter)
http://www.SIworkcomp.com
http://www.SIautoaccident.com
