Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 10/4/2008

Question
Hi,
Just a little over a week ago I went to see a chiropractor regarding my pain in mid-back section.  I'm 27yrs old, 6'1 and around 165lb.  I work in computer field and my job requires sitting, however, I'm not a programmer therefore I don't spend whole day sitting, but 40-70% of time I sit in front of a computer. I would get pain when I'm sitting for longer period of time, but when I go home it goes away because I try to be active (walking, jogging, biking).  My chiropractor told me he needs to do rib adjustments.  When he did it last Saturday (Sep 28) I had a different feeling.  Next day, I felt it a little more, no pain, just some discomfort.  On Monday I returned to work and after couple of hours I started getting pain and it never went away.  Even when I go home and walk, jog or bike, pain is still there.  I went to see my chiropractor today (Saturday Oct 4) and he said he needs to do more adjustments and that my ribs are REALLY out of adjustment.  Every time he was adjusting, he really pushed hard resulting in several cracks at once.  I still have pain and discomfort at right side, right next to shoulder blade.  I'm getting more concern about this.
Please give me some advice.

Thank you!

Answer
Dear Igor,

Tell the chiropractor to take the blinders off his head and consider:
1) his adjustments are causing pain - so find a way for it not to cause pain; 2) Maybe it's not the ribs.  Did he examine your neck to see if neck joint compression duplicates the rib area pain?  C5 disc lesions can refer in between the shoulder blades leading the patient and naieve doctor to believe it's rib pain; 3)maybe he should consider the soft tissues, e.g. fascia, and 4) maybe you would feel better if he did a little bit of preparation for the adjustment, e.g. ultrasound, heat pack, and massage.  

Don't be shy.  Go ahead and present this to your chiropractor.  'Hope this helps.  

Dr. G