Expert: Dr. Brendon J. O`Brien, D.C. - 1/26/2012

Question
I injured my back in dec 09, went to a chiropractor for a few visits and had a little therapy. I was in excrutiating pain in my right side of my belly. There were times it will blow up and feel like it had a huge air bubble. It took 6 months for the pain to subside where it was tolerable, but never went completely away. in dec 11, i was exercising and and 2 days later the excrutiating pain in my belly came back. Now I have back pain on my right side, pain between my shoulder blades, and spasms and pain in my right side of my belly. Is it possible that I could have a pinched nerve in my back. All the doctors ran complete gi testing including us on my gb, xrays, cat scans, barium swallows and enemas, and a EGD and colonoscopy and found nothing. The pain is there everyday and nothing helps it go away except when I drink alcohol. They thought it was just ibs and gave me klonopin, which i totally hate to take. This has been going on for 2 years and I would appreciate any help you could give. Thank you

Answer
Hello Sandra,


    It is hard to say what exactly is causing the pain without an exam.  Some possibilities are: Muscle tear in between the ribs, Disc or Facet injury (most common), sports hernia (small tear without the GI protrusion).  The first place to start would be a MRI of the spine at the location of the initial injury and current pain location.  You may want to see another Doctor of Chiropractic for a exam to order the MRI, then proper location of the spine can be scanned.

Have a great day, let me know the results of the MRI.

Dr. Brendon O'Brien D.C.