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Expert: - 8/31/2008


Question
I am 28 years old and having some back pain and popping in my neck and back.  I wake up each morning with back pain between my shoulder blades and when I stretch, it pops...a lot.  The pain and popping usually continues throughout the day. I am also having some pain in my chest, but not all the time like in the back.  My neck often feels still and I am able to pop it easily.  My question is, what could be causing this pain and popping?  Also, should I see a doctor?

Answer
Camie,

Chronic postural strain to the joints, combined with a loss of the normal curve in the middle back (such that the curve in the middle back is lost and the spine straight or curved in reverse), is a commonly observed finding in people that have chronic joint crepitus (popping).   I see it mostly in young and very flexible people.  When it is painful, and painful in the sternum, there is a chance that the sternal cartilage is irritated or inflammed (costochondritis).  Otherwise, considering that your ribs connect from your spine to your chest, it is common to have chest symptoms when spine and rib joints dysfunction.  We are slung together with arrays of muscles, and glued together with fascia.  Muscles and fascial also can grow lesions, like weeds grow in gardens, and can contribute to your syndrome.  If you've never been to a chiropractor, now's a good time to consider it.  You surely want a DC that has training in soft tissue techniques such as Graston Technique (www.grastontechnique.com) or Active Release methods.   For some people who have noisy joints, without pain, and have experienced it for many years (often since childhood), they tend to always have noisy, popping joints.   But having pain is something else.   

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G

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Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP

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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.

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