Question
First of all thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my question.  I am 24 years
old, 5'10, 183lbs.  About 3 weeks ago I thought I was having a heart attack.  I had severe
chest and back pain, got dizzy, the whole nine yards.  It lasted about 90 minutes.  I went to
a doctor and he said my blood pressure, heart rate, lungs all sounded fine.  About a week
later I had another flare up that was not as intense, but still freaked me out.  I saw a
different doctor and he did an ekg, twice, which came back normal.  This is week three, no
attacks, but I'm still in pain everyday.  The pain is only on my left side.  Started between my
shoulder and spine on my back, and into my chest, like someone putting a rod right through
me.  Now the pain has moved closer to the top left of my chest and under the breast bone
on the ribs.  Some tingling/weakness in my left hamstring and foot.  Last night I had what
felt like an electric charge or tingling  up my spine to my head.  I have been seeing a
chiropractor for 2 weeks now, and although the pain and tingling isn't severe it is still
consistent.  We have mostly been doing ultrasound on my chest and back.  I am trying to be
positive in knowing it's not my heart and that it is possible nerve damage of some sort.  
What is your opinion?

Answer
heart attack, chest pain, back pain,

Hello Devin,

Sorry to hear of your chest pain, heart attack type symptoms, continuing pain.

Good to hear that you have been checked out ant the heart tests come back normal.

First things first.  Anyone, regardless of age/ sex/ weight/ health, IF someone is having heart attack like symptoms--- the thing to do is call 9-1-1, get an ambulance there, get to the Emergency Department, get checked out, and get appropriate treatment.  I am still a certified EMT (emergency medical technician)- I no longer volunteer on the ambulance, but I did for years.  There is an ambulance saying:... '... the Nile is not JUST a river in egypt (dee nile, ...  DENIAL is not just a river in egypt)...'  many patients DENY they are having a heart attack and cause damage or death.

So you did the right thing.  I am assuming you have had a complete heart/ chest workup: evaluation by cardiologist, ECG, Chest Xray, Blood labs.  

Another possibility-- though not likely given your total description- would be more episodic- would be hyperventilation, anxiety or panic.  Given that your complaints are not episodic, but fairly constant; hyperventilation, anxiety or painic is not your diagnosis.

Finally- your complaint/ condition could be caused by neuro-musculo-skeletal complaints.  The Doctor of Chiropractic is an excellent place for evaluation/ treatment of this type of condition.

Two weeks of adjustments (spinal, other joint, manipulation) along with ancillary physical therapy- muscle stimulation, ultrasound, hot, cold; you should be feeling progress.  The adjustment should make a big difference and the additional therapy could help as well.

Some information I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic office:

+++++ 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).   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.

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

+++++

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).   

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.

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

I hope this information helps.  Give it time, and the Chiropractic Adjustment should help you back to Good Health Naturally !

Do not hesitate to re-contact me at AllExperts.com if further information is needed. Good Luck.

Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend-

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com     (email newsletter)
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://www.DocDolan.net