Question
Hi there,

I am a 27 year old male in good health. A few days ago i had to cross obsured terrain (scrubby/vines). This meant a lot of crawling and climbing. Initially my right lower back was sore. This pain faded away that night after some beers to be replaced by a painful periodic spasming between my right ribs. The next morning, the involuntary spasming was gone. However, for the last four days, i have been unable to cough, yawn or just breathe deeply without significant pain (still between the ribs). Will this problem just heal and go away? If not should i see a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist?

Answer
Dear Andrew,

Sounds like you have just overworked the musculature do to the increased activity level and abnormal positioning required for the terrain crossing. When activity levels are increased in a manner not consistent with normal movements, muscular strain/inflammation/pain is a normal result.

Give this a week or so to get better an monitor your symptoms.  If the pain is improving, then you have nothing to worry about.  If continued pain and dysfunction remains, then it would be appropriate to have it checked out and a chiropractic physician would be a great choice for the evaluation.

Let me know if you have any further comments or questions.

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