Expert: Robert A. Arnone, DC - 12/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: My girlfriend has a set of extra ribs which has always given her back pain she's 26 now and has known about this since she was about 7yrs old.  What can she do to minimize the pain?  Could this cause her to have frequent migraines?  She also has 3 kids and was wondering, if this could also be hereditary?

ANSWER: Who told her that she has an extra set of ribs?  Does she have recent x-rays that verify this to be true?  It is possible, I just want some verification, especially if I am not seeing her in person.  Secondly, it really should cause her back pain unless it is misaligned.  I am thinking that she may happen to have an extra set of ribs, but she has something else that is underlying and causing the back pain and certainly the migraines.  The migraines are a cervical spine issue.  I would suggest having her see an upper cervical specialist who will check her nervous system and correct the cause of her trouble like we do at Arnone Specific Chiropractic in St Louis.  If you would send me her town, and State, including the closest big cities to her, I can send the contact information of 1 or 2 good doctors that can help her and can see if she indeed has an extra rib, and if that may be causing any of her problems or not.

Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert A. Arnone
Arnone Specific Chiropractic
711 Old Ballas Road Suite 104
St Louis, MO 63141
314.995.5719

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We live in Eugene, Oregon.  Also she was told about her condition about the age of 7 she is 26yrs old now

Answer
I do not personally know anyone in Oregon, however, I did find someone who practices Upper Cervical so this should be a good experience.  Please let me know how it goes, and if I can be of any other service to you, best of health.

Dr Robert Arnone

Practitioner Type: Upper Cervical Chiropractor  ID: 617
Name: Dr Carol Stoutland  
Certification/Qualifications:    
Please check with technique owner for current status
Practice: Lifegive Chiropractic  
Address: 1755 Coburg Road #4-1
Eugene  
Oregon, UNITED STATES of AMERICA  97401  

Tel: 541-484-5433 Fax:  
Mob: Other Tel:  
UpC Technique: NUCCA
Performs Xrays. Has Xray on site.