Chiropractors/pain in right chest

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 3/6/2009


Question
I was skiing last week and had a bad wipeout. When I wiped out I had a video camera in my right hand and my arm was extended. I immediately had a sharp pain in the right side of my chest, just under my breast. It often shoots right into my back just below my shoulder blade. It hurts extremely when i sneeze or cough, and when i get up from a laying position. It feels like i need someone to crack my back into place. I'd go to doctor but i dont want to wait hours in an emergency room just for them to tell me to take some pain medication. ITs been over a week and seems to be getting worse instead of better.

Answer
Dear Shawn,

I would suggest that you need to have the area checked out by a chiropractor who is trained in sports injury.  This will ensure that you will actually receive an examination of the spine, ribs, arm and associated musculature.  

You have likely torn the musculature on the anterior chest wall called the scalene muscles, or the intercostal muscles...and you may have also torn part of the pectoralis major or minor muscle due to the mechanism of injury.  Fib Fracture, disc bulge or a torn rotator cuff are also possible injuries from what you have described.

A sport injury trained chiropractor will not just send you out the door with pain medication.  They will functionally evaluate the injury for a site specific diagnosis, tape it for support if needed (Kinesiotape, Leukotape), utilize ultrasound or low-level laser to promote healing and reduce scar formation, and will use functional rehabilitation techniques and soft tissue work as the injury will allow.  Not to mention if you need to be referred out for advanced imaging or a medical consult, they will get you to the correct health care professional

You can find a well qualified sport injury doctor at www.acbsp.com

Good Luck Shawn!

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

Chiropractors

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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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