Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 1/25/2009

Question
hi my name is amel 38 years old heavy smoker suddnly last wweek i felt very painful chest paine in the middle coming to my right schoulder.backeand neack,for two days then the cheast paine coming better but still in my backe and schoulder. it happend befor but not that much and not for that long.so is something to worry about? thanks

Answer
chest pain , neck pain , shoulder pain , back pain ,


Hello Amel,

Sorry to hear of your pain.

"....Something to worry about?....", yes.
You state you are a heavy smoker.  When someone ADMITS being a 'HEAVY smoker',,,, it really is something to worry about.  I had a friend who was a heavy smoker (two packs plus  every day), he had his first KNOWN heart attack at 33 years old.  When he had his first detected heart attack, it seems he had already had a 'silent' heart attack or two previously (he recalled chest, shoulder, neck, arm pain,,,, but-- 'it went away').  My friend died before his 40th birthday.  He had never quit smoking, despite the warnings.

I know the pain is in your right side instead of your left.  Left sided pain is more common in heart problems,,, but having the same 'heart' symptoms on the RIGHT side does not rule out a cardiac condition.  First things first, I recommend a physical examination by your family medical doctor, including a blood test, chest Xray, and an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or other cardiac evaluation test.
Have a cardiac examination.  Rule out the big bad things first.

AFTER the cardiac problems are ruled out, then you can move on to other things.  IF it is a heart condition, it can be fatal.  It is probably not a cardiac condition, but,,,,, if it were me, I would want to be sure.

AFTER the heart is ruled out, then you can investigate the more common causes of your pain.  A visit to your local Doctor of Chiropractic would be able to evaluate if this pain originates in your neck, back, chest, or shoulder.  If this pain is neuro-musculo-skeletal in origin; the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) will be a good place for safe, effective, cost-effective treatment.

My Staten Island neck pain patients get information handouts from me, here is a copy of the information I give out- you may find it helpful, AFTER you have ruled out the possible cardiac etiology:




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


In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I also hand out this information:




‘VSC’-  
the    Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex     
(aka:  the  “Subluxation”)


Many times a patient will come to the Doctor of Chiropractic – ‘…as a last resort…’,  often  after  ‘….everything else has been tried….’.  This is frustrating to the Doctor (the DC),  yet also satisfying.

 Frustrating?, Satisfying?, ,,,why?-  Many times a symptom, an ache a pain, a condition can be caused by the ‘Subluxation’ – the ‘Chiropractic Lesion’.  Just as germs, the Virus or Bacteria- is the ‘medical lesion’ (- the MD looks for germs, the DC looks for subluxation).   

Many times an unexplained condition, after exam after exam, blood tests, Xray, MRI, EKG, EMG, etc., etc., --- Chiropractic can help the patient.  Why- because only a Doctor of Chiropractic will check for subluxation- as well as run the ‘traditional’ tests.



           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.


Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:

            Spinal Kinesiopathology:        This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

            Neuropathophysiology:         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

            Myopathology:           Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

            Histopathology:       A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

            Pathophysiology:     The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.



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


Your pain may be coming from a 'pinched nerve'- see the VSC material above.  This problem is bad enough on it's own, but is not as imperative as a possible cardiac condition.

Rule out the bad stuff first, see a cardiac doctor, perhaps your family MD.  If the heart is 'ruled out', then visit the local Doctor of Chiropractic.

I hope this helps.

I hope this motivates you to get a proper workup.

If you need to re-contact me, do not hesitate to click on AllExperts.com:
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thank you, I wish you Good Luck, and Good Health Naturally,

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