Chiropractors/Muscle aches

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 2/7/2008


Question
For about two weeks now Ihave been experience intense tightening pains on my left armall the way down to the wrist and as far up as the sneck. I even started panicing and when to emergency where I got an EKG. My doctor put me on Soma compound a week ago, but the pain still comes and goes. And now is spreading across my chest to the other arm. Please help I feel now as if its my bones aching

Answer
Dear Miriam,

I assume that the EKG came back normal from the hospital, and they must have thought you were just having an anxiety attack.  The reason they would prescribe Soma is for its relaxation properties in the central nervous system.  It is technically classified as a muscle relaxer, but also has some mild analgesic properties as well (pain relief).  It is important to realize that this will not heal anything concerning an injury to tissue, it will only help to reduce muscle spasm and pain.

The first thing I would do is to make sure that you get a second opinion on your heart.  make sure that nothing was missed.  As good a diagnostic testing has become, an EKG will not show every heart abnormality or pathology.  Make sure there is nothing wrong there, and I would suggest that blood tests would be valuable for this assessment as well.  I am not sure if they were performed at the hospital or not.

Then I would move on to a musculoskeletal specialist such as a chiropractor, orthopedist, or physiatrist.  These specialist are the best in finding functional abnormalities or dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system.  They are far to many scenarios to explain the pain you are having, and they range from general physical deconditioning to metabolic/physiological issues.  the bottom line is that examination is the best way to rule out factors and reach a legitimate diagnosis.  You have to realize that the ER doesn't care about the small stuff if, you are stable...(no life threatening issue) you will either be referred out or discharged.  That is the ER's Job.  Follow-up with an outside doctor for further exploration.
Good Luck Miriam.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net  

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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