Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 7/28/2009

Question
Hi. I have a friend who is currently studying to become a chiropractor. He has "worked" on my muscles that he seamed were weak and he also realigned my spine. I saw him three times, and each time he would work on a different set of muscles and try and help strengthen them. Now, three weeks later, I have noticed that my upper body on my left side has become a lot stronger than my right. These muscles being my deltoids, biceps, triceps and pectorals(Mostly my biceps and pectorals). This used to be the exact opposite. I also notice that when I lean my head back to either the back left or right, there is a pinching sensation under my right shoulder blade. One thing I also do is BBoy, which is most commonly known as break dancing. I have also seen that I am able to perform my steps/footwork better when I go counter clockwise now.This too is the exact opposite of what it used to be.

What should I do about that pinching sensation I get and is it normal for a person to switch and become more stronger on the side he was not normally stronger on? Also, do you think my friend, the soon to be certified chiropractor, had anything to do with any with this?

Answer
Dear Benjamin,

Any muscle imbalance can create a perceived weakness of one side of the body to the other, and this is actually a common complaint.  The fact that you are performing a type of dance that requires increased strength and balance will accentuate this awareness.  From what you have described, this is most likely functional in nature rather than being a frank injury or significant structural problem.  Anytime you have an issue that causes pain, this can be significant enough to produce guarding mechanisms which can result in a loss of strength.

Specifically concerning the pain experiences under the right shoulder blade, this can be either from direct muscle imbalance issues, strain, deconditioning, or referred pain from trigger points.  Bottom line here is that the offending tissue needs to be correctly identified so that it can be targeted for rehab or treatment.  Specific sites to consider are the subscapularis and infraspinatus muscles of the scapula, rhomboid muscles, levator scapulae muscles, erector spinae, and trapezius.

I do not think that your friend  made the problem worse, but he may have missed something in the analysis of the problem.  Part of the clinical education in chiropractic school is to address everything I have mentioned, but will depend on his proficiency and educational attainment to this point in his program.  Feel free to follow up with him, but I would suggest that you have it addressed at the out-patient clinic at his school so that a trained clinician can oversee the examination and treatment process.

Good luck Benjamin.

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