QuestionQUESTION: i got hit on my ribs when i was about 10 years old. i am 22 now and my ribs haven't healed yet. doctors say i have broken cartilage in between my ribs. i loose weight because i cannot eat. the pain is really bad. i cant breath or move when the pain comes. what can i do to help my injury?
ANSWER: pain, chronic pain, ribs, rib cartilage,
Hello Maria,
Sorry to hear of your pain. Sorry to hear of the long history of pain. Twelve years of a condition is a LONG time.
I would ask your MD to refer you to a PT or DC who utilizes Kinesiotaping. Your rib cartilage needs support. Kinesiotape support techniques are excellent. Many DCs utilize kinesiotape techniques.
This Staten Island Chiropractor uses kinesio taping techniques often.
Neck, back, shoulder, hip, knee, elbow , wrist, ankle, ribs- all can utilize the firm,,, yet flexible support of kinesio tape.
If you were to find a Doctor of Chiropractic with additional sports training (DACBSP, - like me), or orthopedic or rehab training; kinesio tape would probably be part of the protocol.
Your ribs and cartilage could be held in proper place,,, yet allow movement. Your ribs, your chest cannot be totally immobilized-- that compromises breathing and can cause pneumonia or other respiratory conditions. But kinesio tape allows support and movement.
A handout I utilize in my Staten IslandChiropractic office on Kinesio Tape: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have been using kinesio tape in my office for years now. It is excellent for cases such as yours. Find a good local Doctor of Chiropractic (word of mouth reference), find out if kinesio is used, and I recommend that Doctor.
Good Luck, and Good Health Naturally, your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: hi its me donna again.. i found a doctor that says that a thing to do about my broken cartilage is to kill the nerve completely... what do you think about that?
Answerpain, chronic pain, ribs, rib cartilage, broken cartilage, kinesio tape, kinesiotaping support, 'kill the nerve' == ablation,
Hello again,
Sorry to hear of your continued pain. Sorry more conservative treatments have not worked well for you.
Since you have tried the noninvasive conservative approaches; physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, kinesiotaping without success, then perhaps nerve ablation is an option for you.
Although this is allexperts.com, I do not consider myself an expert on nerve ablation. I would rely on the specialist seeing you to explain ALL of your questions: any alternatives to ablation?, what type of ablation procedures are available?, success of ablation?, does it have to be repeated?, complications?, side effects?.
If you are confident in this doctor and his(her) answers, perhaps it is a good avenue for you. But, communicate- ask questions of your doctor, and,,, even seek a second opinion form a specialist in the same field.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, the nerves are THE priority for me. When you talk about 'killing a nerve'; well, that really pushes my buttons, hits my nerves! But,,, I do not have your pain; I have not tried everything else to no avail. If I were in your shoes, I may do the same. But; communicate, ask questions, get answers, get a second opinion before 'killing a nerve'.
I did a quick google search myself on 'nerve ablation' (I believe this is the proper term for your description of 'killing a nerve'), and here are a few discussions of the procedure. You could google search nerve ablation yourself for more info.
http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4949
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread51158.html
http://www.spine-health.com/forum/pain-management/help-nerve-ablation-who-has-ha
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=31&m=917492
I hope this helps. You ask me "... what do you think about that?..."
After you have tried it all,,, if I was in enough pain,,, AFTER asking many questions of the pain management specialist,,, I might even do it myself (given the failure of the other therapies).
Good Luck. Let me know if you do it, and if it works well. Thanks for the repeat question.
Your Staten Island Chiropractic friend,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
