Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 12/31/2008

Question
Have been having a pain on my left side at my rib and at times i feel it down the left side on my rib, and at the same time there is pain in my back mostly middle left side, I have been going to a chiropractor, he feels it's muscle strain. everytime he adjusts me there re two spots on my back that keep getting out of whack, there are tender to the touch,he did press on my organs near my ribs and no tenderness, sothat's why he's convinced it's my back, My job is involved in reaching and lifting things, sometimes driving for ours, i do have horrible posture, I first notice the pain in my rib while I was driving, sitting cockeyed, after awhile of stretching then it felt better but now Its more often. What can I do to help strethen my back and ribs so I can get past this, I see my Chiro 2 times aweek now, I want to strengthen this area not to have this again, It does scare me that it could be something worse, But I'm not having any other problem except anxiety, duh you worry that happens! What would be your advice and how long can this take to clear up, Thank you, Debbie

Answer
Mid back pain , pulled muscle , sp/strain ,


Hello Debbie,

Sorry to hear of your pain.  Sorry to hear your condition does not seem to be improving.


'I have been going to a chiropractor, he feels it's muscle strain'-
You have been going to the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), for how long? and what is he(she) doing for you?
         Certainly traditional Chiropractic Adjustment is a priority. Even if it is a 'muscle pull', muscle strain, joint sprain, part of the problem is misalignment of the joint- subluxation (more on that later).  Adjustment to the spinal vertebrae in the area could help (even solve) your problem.  Adjustment of the ribs in the area could be helpful.  Muscle work such as A.R.T. and or Graston techniques could be helpful.
         If you have 'been going' for a while, and plateaued on your progress, it is time to incorporate DIFFERENT treatments for your condition- as mentioned above.  The adjustment is an important part, but then adjunctive work- mentioned above-, adjunctive physical therapy modalities: muscle stim, ultrasound, and then even supportive therapy such as Kinesio Tape could be helpful.

'keep getting out of whack'-  get proper treatment- including chiropractic adjustment, perhaps A.R.T. muscle work, massage, Graston technique, muscle stim, ultrasound,,,, and Kinesio Taping for support- to prevent that 'keep getting out of whack' effect.

'It does scare me that it could be something worse'- your Doctor of Chiropractic has taken a history and examined you.  Have you had Xrays?, perhaps an MRI?
         In my Staten Island Chiropractic office, I try to listen. I listen to the patient's history, listen to complaints.  Then I examine the patient, taking a survey from 'top to bottom', and concentrating on the area of concern.  I do not Xray ALL of the time, but I do Xray quite often.  If progress is NOT being made,,, time for Xray.  Xray already taken?- time for re-examination, perhaps MRI or EMG/ncv, or perhaps, referral to another Doctor, perhaps another Discipline.  'Progress NOT being made'- what does that mean??- well patients in my practice, two weeks, 4, 5, 6 visits- there should be progress in the right direction.  No change?= re-exam, re-think, referral, re-testing, different testing.

Your Doctor of Chiropractic should certainly be able to recommend stretches, postures, exercises to help your condition.

Example of spinal strengthening exercise:  http://www.ehow.com/how_2267413_perform-spine-extension-exercise.html - remember, this is progressive, START SLOWLY.

I think your condition could be gratly helped if your doctor is utilizing ALL of the techniques discussed previously.  Adjustment, muscle work, modalities, support (kinesiotaping); these should help tremendously.

Do not JUST keep on doing the same stuff if it is not helping. Your DC has many different weapons in his arsenal, use different ones and see haw they attack and affect the problem.

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office, I utilize information handout sheets, perhaps you will find this helpful:

++++++++++++++++

PAIN     

Pain  is a  ‘red light on the dashboard’.

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body- -- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?

     NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.



Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           
(  ‘VSC’ ,    ‘subluxation’   )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.

  Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for ‘Subluxation’.

Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- ‘Subluxation’ – can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.



Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kinesio Taping:

Olympic  Athletic  Performance                                                       .  
                                                                                                          .
I have been using kinesio taping in my office for many years.  Very different from regular white athletic strapping tape,  I was one of the early sports docs utilizing this approach.                                                                                                                                                   It is Fun  to  see  the  articles  on  kinesio taping  at  the  Olympics,  here  is  one:                     .
Watching Olympian Kerri Walsh compete in beach volleyball last week, many viewers were wondering the same thing: what is that black thing on her shoulder?
A tattoo? A bizarre fashion statement?

No.

Ms. Walsh was sporting a new type of athletic tape called Kinesio, touted by doctors as a better way to relieve pain and promote healing of injured muscles.

The appearance of Kinesio on the well-toned Ms. Walsh — she even wore it while meeting President Bush — has spurred international interest in the little-known brand. In black, pink, blue and beige, the tape has been spotted on a number of other Olympians, including the shoulder of U.S. water polo player Lauren Wenger and the elbows of Canadian Greco Roman wrestler Ari Taub. Members of Spain’s basketball team and Jamaica’s track team are wearing it.

Traditionally, white athletic tapes are wrapped around gauze to form a stiff bandage that immobilizes a joint or muscle. By comparison, the 100-percent cotton Kinesio tape is said to be modeled on the thickness and elasticity of real skin.

The flexible tape is applied to the skin in specific patterns, depending on the injury, a technique designed to create support and guide injured muscles and joints without limiting the athlete’s range of motion.

“This tape moves with the body, so the biomechanics are still there,'’ said John Jarvis, director of Kinesio USA.
Both the tape and the new wrapping technique have spread mostly by word-of-mouth among athletes, doctors and trainers who swear by it. Cycling great Lance Armstrong reportedly dedicates a page to the tape in his latest book. Recently soccer superstar David Beckham traded jerseys after a game and was spotted with pink Kinesio tape on his back.

Some limited data suggest it may be effective. In July, the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Therapy published a study of 42 people with shoulder injuries. Half of them were treated with Kinesio tape applied in a pattern designed to support the injured muscle. The other half were given a “sham” treatment in which two strips of tape were simply pressed across the arm. The study was conducted by physical therapists at Winn Army Community Hospital in Fort Stewart, Ga., who didn’t receive funding from the tape company (important:  OBJECTIVE study,,, rather than drug research PAID for by drug companies…..).   Notably, the study participants who received the real therapeutic tape treatment reported an  immediate   improvement   in   pain.

Last year, Research in Sports Medicine published a study from San Jose State University showing that in 30 healthy test subjects, use of the tape along the lower trunk area appeared to increase the range of motion.

Kinesio claims that in addition to supporting injured muscles and joints, the new taping method helps relieve pain by lifting the skin, allowing blood to flow more freely to the injured area. The tape is also widely used in pediatric physical therapy for muscle disorders like cerebral palsy.

Given Kinesio’s high profile at the Olympics, it seems likely that we will be seeing more and more of it. Mr. Jarvis said the tape already is used by many professional basketball, baseball and football teams.
Want to treat yourself,  your team, your athletes -- like  a  USA  Olympian?     KinesioTape.                                                  .          
Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine


What Does Kinesio Taping Do?

Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for Preventive Maintenance, Edema, and Pain Management

              Kinesio Taping was invented by a Doctor of Chiropractic, and is utilized- especially by SPORTS Chiropractors throughout the world.  Kinesio Taping helps the body heal naturally, can be used preventatively, as treatment, in rehab, during competition, or as a ‘take home’ treatment applied by the Chiropractor   (medical doctors give drugs, chiropractic doctors give tape) .

              Kinesio Taping is a technique based on the body's own natural healing process. This Kinesio Taping exhibits its efficacy through the activation of neurological and circulatory systems. This method basically stems from the science of Kinesiology, hence the name "Kinesio". Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms.

               Consequently, so much attention was given to the importance of muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body's own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of Kinesio Taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles, and organs. The first application of Kinesio Taping was for a patient with articular disorders.

               For the first 10 years, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other medical practitioners were the main users of Kinesio Taping. Soon thereafter, Kinesio Taping was used by the Japanese Olympic volleyball players and word quickly spread to other athletes. Today, Kinesio Taping is accepted by medical practitioners and athletes in Japan, United States, Europe, South America and other Asian countries.

               The Kinesio Taping Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/day basis. It is non-restrictive type of taping which allows for full range of motion.

               In contrast, traditional sports' taping is wrapped around a joint strictly for stabilization and support during a sporting event obstructing the flow of bodily fluids... an UNDESIRABLE side-effect.

              Kinesio Tape is used for anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in between. Examples include: muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patella tracking, pre and post surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If your Doctor has made the proper evaluation, implements the proper treatment, utilizes approaches listed above, you should feel much improvement in just a couple/ three weeks.

I hope this information helps.  If you have further questions, need clarification, do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com  ( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm )

Thank you for your question.

Good Luck,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com        (Email newsletter)