Question
I AM ALREADY BEING SEEN BY A CHIROPRACTOR FOR NUMBNESS IN MY LEFT ARM AND HAND THAT IS POSSIBLY ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE PAIN I OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCE IN BETWEEN MY LEFT SHOULDER BLADE AND SPINE. HE REFERRED TO THE PAIN AS A "RIB" AND HE MANIPULATED THE AREA. I HAVE ALSO HAD HEADACHES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, SO I GUESS BETWEEN THE CHIRO AND MY PRIMARY CARE DOC THEY ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROBLEM IS THE PAIN IN MY LEFT UPPER BACK OR A CARDIO PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN SEEING THE CHIRO SINCE FEBUARY, AND HAVE GOTTEN BETTER, BUT I STILL EXPERIENCE THE NUMBNESS OCCASIONALLY, AND IF I WORK TOO HARD, THE PAIN IN THE UPPER LEFT BACK IS HORENDUS. I WISH THEY WOULD DO AN MRI TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CORRECTED BY CHIRO OR NOT, SO I AM NOT BEING MANIPULATED WHEN IT MAYBE SHOULD NOT BE. AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK MY CHIROPRACTOR WOULD ADVISE THAT I HAVE AN MRI? SHOULD I JUST OUTRIGHT ASK FOR ONE? I DON'T WANT HIM TO THINK I DON'T TRUST HIS JUDGEMENT, I AM JUST SICK OF THE APPOINTMENTS AND THE PAIN. I AM ONLY 25 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE PRE EXISTING FACTORS FOR HYPERTENSION, STROKE, AND CHF (MY MOTHER HTN AND STROKE BY AGE 32). I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A NORMAL, HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL, BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT THESE ISSUES. I WORK OUT (RUNNING AND YOGA)
CONSISTANTLY, AND I AM NOT HEAVY (62" HEIGHT AND 140 WEIGHT). PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Natasha,

Thank you for the questions and I hope that I can help.  

If this is a rib subluxation and you have been seeing the chiropractor since February, it should be well by now.  Normally, I would treat a rib sublux approximately 2-8 treatments to resolve. I would be more interested in the neck area on you regarding the arm pain. If this arm pain has been consistent and frequent since February, you may be looking at a cervical disc involvement.

I would have already sent you for the MRI.  While you may not want to approach your chiropractor by telling him what I have said, you should just ask him for a referral for an MRI.  You can also ask about the neck and what he feels its' condition is at this point.  The MRI would give you a definitive answer though.  The MRI should be of the cervical spine.  Normally, a thoracic problem or rib will not cause radiation and numbness into the arms and hands.

Once you get the MRI results, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to render my opinion regarding your condition. I hope all goes well for you.  Remember, it is your body and your health.  The doctors are working for you.  You have the right to tell them your concerns and what you would like to have done. If they don't like it or don't agree, fire them and get new ones.

God Bless,

Dr. Boss