Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 10/21/2007

Question
Hi,
I was working out and did some ,what I've heard referred to as, Russian twists: where you sit on the ground and twist your torso from side to side while holding a medicine ball.   I've done these before and not had problems but I think I was trying to make them more difficult/wasn't in the correct position.  That was Tuesday night, since Thursday, I've had a horrible pain in the middle/spinal area of my back that radiates around the front of my torso to my sterum.   There's pain all around my torso, in a almost like a ring.   I usually have a high tolerance for pain but what is difficult with this is that when I breathe in and out it hurts badly.   Does it sound like something that will go away on its own?   Should I go see a doctor?   An orthopedic/back doctor?   I don't see a chiropractor so I'd have to find one and go to one.   Can the doctore give me pain meds so the breathing isn't painful?
Thanks,

Answer
A doctor could give you meds for the pain, but it may only cover the symptoms, not fix the cause.  It sounds as if there may be misalignment in the mid back, causing the pain around to the front.  You may want to have a chiropractor check it, and have xrays taken.