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Question
Hello,
What does it mean when the ribs click? Both of my 10th ribs click whenever I laugh, breath deeply, or cough. It is not really painful when this happens, however, sometimes I do feel a twinge of pain. When I do situps too, they click. Is this the beginning of a problem? What does this mean? I just started happening a couple of months ago. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. Thank you.
Dear Kristy,
Clicking of the joints where the ribs meet with the vertebra in your back is not necessarily a problem, but can be.
The connections of all the bones in the spinal cord and ribs should be in a constant state of motion. What I mean is that they should move freely without becoming fixated. Unfortunately with the daily stresses and postures we go through, these bones and their associated joints do become fixated. Most of the time the body is able to work out these fixations, and that is what the clicking noise is. Sometimes the fixation cannot be worked out, and that is where chiropractic care helps. This is the main reason why the chiropractic physician adjusts the spine as well as other joints in the body.
Now concerning repetitive motions such as sit-ups, if the clicking happens over and over again then a fixation is not what you are experiencing, but a hypermobility of the joint due to ligament laxity. This does not mean that the joint is unstable, but the ligamentous capsule around the joint has lost some of its elasticity and is not as tight as it used to be. This in itself is not a problem, but can lead to a problem down the road if chronicly irritated. If this is the case supplementation with chondroitin sulfate (1500 mg), glucosamine sulfate (1500 mg), and MSM (750-1000mg) daily will help repair the tissue. Usually takeas about 2-3 months for best results.
Finally Kristy, this is really a small matter so far. You are reporting only small momentary twinges of pain which is good news. The supplementation will help, but this may continue on and off for years due to the fact that ligamentous tissues such as joint capsules, once stretched do not go back to their normal shape easily. For this to become a larger problem would most likely take some form of trauma, or alot of repetitive movements like playing tennis everyday. If this does worsen, you should schedule a musculoskeletal examination of the area for a proper diagnosis and course of treatment.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
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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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