Question
I have had pain in my right rib cage for over 10 years off and on, I recently had gallbladder removed and thought that was causing my pain because I had quite a large stone but rib pain continues, it feels like something is pinching me between my ribs and if I push on my rib cage in the back, it will get better for a little while but always comes back sooner or later. The pain always gets worse when I mop or sweep, etc.  anything that twists my body.  Could this be a rib subluxation?  If so, what can I do about it?  Will chiropractor be able to help if this has been going on for this long of a time? Thanks.

Answer
Dear Edi,

Actually this does sound like a rib subluxation, and these types of articular dysfunction can be quite painful (due to joint inflammation), and frequently become recurrent when not addressed.  

Chiropractic care to include manual adjustments to the rib/vertebral joint will normalize the the structure of the joint, but you will likely need multiple treatments because of the length of time this has been problematic.  The reason for this is the surrounding joint capsule...as the rib moves in relation to the vertebral surface it connects with, the capsule becomes stretched and can sustain minor/minimal stretching and tearing.  Over time these small trauma build up and create laxity of the joint capsule.  This is the reason that the problem tends to recur.  

As the chiropractic physician adjusts this area, the body will have to heal the small dysfunctional joint capsule laxity over time.  To help this healing process, a joint support nutritional formula such as glucosamine/chondroitin and MSM will help.  Again, remember that this may take 6-8 visits, and the chiropractor may include electrical stimulation or ultrasound depending on how the joint space if functioning at the time of the examination.  A functional evaluation is the only true way to find out what is going on...get it scheduled.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net