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Chiropractors/Is it possible?
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Question
Is it possible for the last pair of ribs (12th) to be pushed inward and down a little bit, causing pain in the lower back/flank area, just above the hip bone? If so, what kind of condition is this called?
Dear Kristy,
Yes this is possible, everything is possible, but not a likely scenario. Specifically, I am not aware of a diagnosis concerning the position of the 12 ribs. The 12th ribs are very small in relation to the other ribs, and are considered to be floating ribs because of their only attachment at the vertebra and not at the sternum. It is more likely that you may have strained the surrounding muscle tissue.
Concerning various positions of the ribs, they can be different from person to person, but their positioning in the body cannot change that much due anatomical connections, unless there has been a trauma to the area.
Moreover, without seeing radiographic analysis of the ribs either from an x-ray series or a CT scan, I would not know how any doctor would be able to diagnose such an anomaly...I am sure if this has been done? In your case if you have been told this is your diagnosis from your medical doctor or chiropractic physician, I would suggest that you get another opinion to validate it. This is not a common cause of low back or flank pain, and there are other more serious things such as kidney and bladder infections that could be responsible for your pain.
Just make sure that you get it checked out with a good examination including a thorough health history and physical examination. It is okay to be a skeptic when accepting a diagnostic opinion from any doctor, and you have a right to fully understand what is going on with your body. Make sure that the explanation can be validated by examination findings.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
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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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