RIB PAIN TREATMENT

The ribcage

Rib pain treatment in the chiropractic setting is adapted to the beautiful design of the ribcage. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

The ribcage was designed to give protection to the vital organs, in particular the heart and lungs. However, compromise was needed to enable us to breathe.

So these organs are surrounded by a cage of bone, interspaced with small gaps filled with rib muscles (and some other structures, nerves and an artery). The ribs have to rise, increasing the space in the chest, drawing fresh air into the lungs, and then drop again as we exhale.

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Rib pain treatment by chiropractors was designed around this beautiful structure. Like anything mechanical, the ribcage too needs maintenance. Both the joints at the front (the costo-sternal joints) and the joints at the back (the costo-spinal joints) can be injured by freak movements. For an understanding of the anatomy of the ribcage follow this link. COSTOSTERNAL ANATOMY ...

RIB PAIN TREATMENT

Firstly your chiropractor will want to rule out conditions of the chest. For example, pleurisy also causes pain with breathing.

Then s/he will likely use one of a number of loosening up techniques. This could be massage, or a vibrator, or stretching, or a mobilising technique.

"The Sprung Rib"

Each rib has three small joints which articulate with the spine. A good sneeze, primarily, but any unexpected movement too, can subluxate one of these joints causing extreme sharp pain. It is characterised by pain whilst taking a deep breath.

The treatment is likely going to be a gentle thrust straight onto your back, whilst you are lying on your tum. Often the whole area, and your chiropractor will need feedback from you, making sure that s/he is on the correct rib.

OSTEOPOROSIS: If you know you have brittle bones, it is important to warn your chiropractor. Most chiropractors will crack a rib occasionally on an osteoporotic patient. It is a risk, but greatly outweighed by the enormous relief millions get, for every cracked rib. It is painful, and will remain so for a few weeks. You can expect a red-faced doctor and a vase of flowers!

The risk

50 rib adjustments/week x 50 weeks = 2500 adjustments per year.

One cracked rib every six years (my record). That's one in 15 000 treatments.

I treat at least ten patients in their 80's every week, yet continue to hear that medical doctors tell their patients that chiropractic treatment is far too dangerous for elderly bones. Bunkum. But we are careful! And gentle with the elderly. But, yes, iatrogenic illness does occur in chiropractic clinics too. IATROGENIC ILLNESS ... More about Causes of OSTEOPOROSIS ...





Pooh needs an adjustment too! He gets the sneezles in the Spring, and sometimes it can spring a rib!





FROM THE COAL FACE (I)

The good wife has had a cold for a few days. Yesterday she sneezed and within an hour was in severe pain between the shoulder blades. Every breath brought her close to tears, a sharp, stabbing, knife-life pain. It was so severe that she was unable to lower herself to the chair to eat lunch. She ate standing!

Unable to get into the car, we walked (with difficulty) to the clinic, about ten minutes away. (What a joy, it takes me literally two minutes on the bike!)

Isolating the rib was not difficult, the 7th on the right, it was exquisitely tender on palpation. She had significant immediate relief from my Chiropractic Rib treatment, and we walked home quite normally, and she slept well last night. It will take a few days to get over it completely.

I was given the task of making her favourite: Easy broccoli soup recipe @ BROCCOLI FACTS ... Did you know? Broccoli is the number-one anti-cancer vegetable, and has the double bonus of being very rich in magnesium, a deficiency of which causes chondro-calcinosis, a leading cause of arthritis. Every garden should have a few plants, and don't pull them when the head has been picked. The small florets that continue to come are even richer in those goodies. Perfect for broccoli soup.





"Heart-attack rib"

Rib pain occurs sometimes at the junction of the rib and sternum (breastbone). Right over the heart so, if it's on the left, the pain may be confused with a heart attack. The key: tenderness over the breastbone, and its joints with the ribs. This condition is called the Tietzes Syndrome ... If the subluxation is of the breastbone joint, then your Chiropractor will use a technique where the hands travel all along the rib, from back to front. His hands may lie close to the breast tissue, so if you feel uncomfortable bring a family member with you.

Rib pain treatment is not usually particularly painful.

Your chiropractor may also use a treatment where s/he stands over you whilst you are lying down, (or behind you whilst you are sitting or standing), giving a sudden vigorous thrust on your back.

FROM THE COALFACE (II)

'What do you means, Mrs Jones?'

'I've had such pain here in my side. Every breath hurts!'

'Oh dear, I may have cracked a rib, Mrs Jones. Let me examine it ... yes, I'm sorry to say, I have done you a mischief.'

'Cracked a rib! How long will it be sore?'

'About three weeks. I'm sorry. I must have been a little too vigorous!'

'Will it remain weak?'

'Absolutely not. Within 3-6 weeks, the time it takes for bone to heal, the pain will be completely gone. It will be as strong as ever.'

'Should I sue you?' said Mrs Jones, with a laugh.

'You could, but then you will lose your chiropractor! Remember how many times over the years you have crawled into this office on hands and knees!'

'But it's so sore.'

'I'm afraid so. You are third person in twenty-seven years in practice. I'm sorry it had to be you. It will get better with no sequelae.'

'Now don't go using the long words again ...'

A bouquet of flowers arrived the following day at Mrs Jones's address! It happens with rib pain treatment. Three times in the 27 years. "Helaas", as we say in Dutch.

RIB PAIN TREATMENT CaseFile

A traumatic fall not only damages the bicycle but can also bend the cyclist's chassis. Whilst bruised and even cracked and broken ribs will heal, usually without great dramas, the simultaneous injury to the rib-spine and rib-breastbone joints can continue for months and years. Read more... RIB PAIN TREATMENT CaseFile ...

Have A Great Story About a visit to the Chiropractor?

I'm not looking here for funny stories. That we'll find a place for elsewhere, and you can find an abundance of them in my books at Bernard-Preston.com. James Herriott genre books.

Here I'm looking for things that you particularly love / hate about a visit to the chiropractor. Share it! If we get too many, and we probably will, we'll split them.

Are there things you hate about a Chiropractic consultation? Let's hear about it. Hopefully even more stories about things you love.

You see, we Chiropractors can learn from your feedback, both positive and negative.

Share it!

INTERESTING LINKS @ Rib Pain Treatment

Baba Ghanoush ... a simple Eggplant dish. Yum! Good for every chiropractic patient!

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