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Chiropractors/Sternum Cracking
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Question
Over the past several months I have noticed a different feeling in my sternum. The feeling is not quite pain but its not normal. It often feels like it needs to crack, and when I rotate my shoulders back and push out my chest it occasionally cracks. The cracking sound is often quite loud and immediately afterward I feel the pressure go away. Usually the pressure returns within a few hours and I feel like I need to crack it again.
Leading up to this I had been working out on a regular basis. My workouts included lifting weights and training for a half marathon. I had to reduce the amount of training about two months ago due to graduate school, and that's when the cracking started happening. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Paul,
This is not an uncommon symptom. There are few answers or explanations for this condition in the literature. If there is pain, then it's considered "costo-chondritis." In other words, the cartilage where the ribs meet the sternum get irritated. Again, in this case there is pain associated. Either you have very little inflammation and thus have only dicomfort, or there is another process at work. If you are doing heavy weight training, such as bench press, it could irritate the sternum. Also, some find that there is a problem on the back side, at the spine, and get relief with joint manipulation to the spine and ribs. If you haven't tried this, I'd advise doing so. Make sure you find a practitioner that is strong enough to do manual thoracic joint adjustments and avoid "low force methods" and other such nonsense. If there is no pain and the symptoms are not getting worse, then there is nothing to worry about. If you search, you'll see my prevous responses regarding this topic.
'Hope this helps. Good luck in grad school!
Dr. G
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Chiropractors
Answers by Expert:
- Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP
- Dr. Paul Newhart
- Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
- Dr. Brendon J. O`Brien, D.C.
- Gerald Anzalone, D.C.
- David Kulla, DC
- Robert A. Arnone, DC
- Keith E. Biggs, DC
- John Quackenbush DC
- Dr. Timothy K. Durnin
- Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac.
- Timothy A. Peck, DC
- J.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C.
- Dr. Nekessa Remy
Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP
Expertise
21 Years in practice: I can answer any question regarding chiropractic and sports medicine treatment. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe, valid, reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of unscrupulous chiropractors and fraudulent methods to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine. I have experience treating elite and Olympic athletes.
Experience
Experience:
- 21 years in practice;
- Pan American Games, 2011: Official Medical Staff for the Pan Am Games.
- Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: World Olympians Associan and International Sports Chiropractic Association Healthcare Team;
- International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma;
- Official Provider: Jamaican Track and Field team for Penn Relays (2009-2011)
- Experience with USA Gymnastics Healthcare team and International Powerlifting Association Medical Staff;
- 300 hour chiropractic sports medicine diplomate degree (DACBSP); International Chiropractic Sports Sciences Diploma (ICSSD)
- Healthcare Consultant: Century, Ty-Wood Corp. Holliston, MA (2005-2007)
- Team Chiropractor: Boston Bulldogs USL D-3 & Boston Renegades USL W-1 League (1999-2004)
- Independent Examiner: Scope Medical and The Physician's Network
- Professional/Clinical Monitor: Affiliated Monitors, Inc.
- Board of Directors: MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (Massachusetts)2000-2006
- "The Impact of Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy on Chronic Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprain Syndrome in Two Young Athletes" J. of Chiro Med , Fall 2004
- "Work Related Injury;" The Hanover Report, June, 1993
- "Long Lasting Analgesic Effect of Oxymorphonazine in Rats;" Agonists and Antagonists III, n.7675, 1985
- BS Biology, Doctor of Chiropractic: Northwestern College of Chiropractic,
- Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)
Education/Credentials
Doctor of Chiropractic Diplomate: American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians
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