Chiropractors/side of right rib

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 8/28/2007


Question
abut a week and half ago i lifted a very heavy mattress and then proceeded to pull a  heavy pillow out of the clothes dryer. since that, I have a dull pain only if i move around or lie down. my doctor wants me to use skelaxon for a week to see if that eases up. the pain is not sharp, what causes this?

Answer
Dear Abby,

I can not be sure what is causing your pain without a more in depth understanding of the problem, but this does not sound like a big deal.  

You could have easily pulled a muscle in the rib cage, which can cause dull achey pain with movement and lying.  The affected musculature is likely the intercostals, and they lie between each rib...additionally there is a muscle called the serratus anterior muscle higher up on the chest wall below the armpits that can be strained.  Usually problems such as these will go away on their own in a week or two.

Your doctor prescribed skelaxin because it is a muscle relaxer that is supposed to work at the junction of the nerve and muscle.  This way it will have a inhibitory effect on the muscular system, but without depressing the central nervous system...preventing slowed movement and reactions and not making you drowsy.

If this does not help, then you may have actually damaged some cartilage or surrounding ligamentous tissues.  These structures take a much longer time to heal because of their reduced blood supply...muscle heal faster. These structures are also more prone to longer pain periods and can easily create chronic pain.  Physical therapy may be needed to help with the healing and nutritional support as well concerning these types of connective tissue.

Hope this helps Abby.  Feel free to write back with any additional comments or questions.

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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