Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 10/9/2006

Question
Hi I hope that maybe you could tell me if a chiropractor might help me.My symptons have started awhile back when I was pregnant with my twins that turned two this past August.I had a lot of right sided flank pain and my obgyn thought it was probably my gallbladder so after I gave birth to my twins I still had the pain and a numbness under my breasts to each side of ribs.I was told the numbness was probably a nerve affected from one of the babies .Over several months the pain got worse with activity and started having pain in chest area. I went to see regular doctor he thiught I should get ultrasound on gallbladder. I got sent to a surgeon who said I had inflammation and told me it would only get worse if I did not have my gallbladder removed{even though I told him food does not affect me it is mostly with activity like laundry ect.} Anyway I had it removed and still had pain.I put it off as torn ligaments something that wold heal and still no better.I started getting spasms and my sternum and ribs would pop when bending up and down.Recently my doctor sent me for a chest cat scan ,normal and a mri on my back which came back as two slipped disks on t11 and t12 and t12 ,l1. Got sent to physical therapy and neurologistP hysical therapy helped some. The neurologist said my rib pain could be costochonditis but was probably from back and gave me steroids which did not help.Now upper bak hurts ribs still hurt and on ribs on the sides up by breasts feels like pinched nerves. Sorry this is so long I have let this go on for so long and am tired of feeling so much older than 32 because of the pain. Could this be sliipped ribs or would a chiropractor help? Thanks Missy  

Answer
Dear Melissa,

I'm sorry that you are having such difficulties.  It sounds like your doctors have been following logical diagnostic avenues.  I do wonder about the gall bladder issue...  Disc herniations at t-11, 12, and L1 could cause pain in the abdominal area and groin, but not your sternum.  Costochondritis simply translates to inflammation of the cartilage at the sternum.  Labor and delivery is a rough event for a woman, and some are injured from the event.  The fact that physical therapy helped somewhat is a clue that maybe you need to head more in the direction of physical medicine.  If you have not yet had any chiropractic joint manipulation, then please find a DC who will examine you and determine if you would be amenable to treatment.  My recommendations for finding a good doctor include:

·   Does the doctor use a "diversified" technique?”  This is the basic “hands-on” style that is mainstream in chiropractic.  Avoid DC’s who just subscribe just to one (fringe) treatment method, such as Activator, Pettibon, Upper Cervical, Gonstead, non-force only, B.E.S.T., “Network,” AK, just to name a few.
·   Does the doctor do any hands-on muscle techniques? (massaging, stretching, fascial release techniques, etc.) And are they certified in any, e.g. ART or Graston Technique?
·   Are other physio-therapy procedures employed, like ultrasound or exercise training?
·   Is there a mandatory x-ray policy? (‘Like looking for a ‘bone out of place.’ If so, then find another DC)
·   Initial contact should include a history, physical examination, and discussion about treatment.  An initial trial of care is often needed to see if you will likely respond to treatment. This should be something in the order of a hand-full of visits close together.  Any DC that prescribes months of care and requires you to agree to it in advance should be reported to a licensing board.
·   If the chiropractor earned a post graduate diplomate degree, such as thd DACBSP or the DACBO, then then you're probably in good hands.

'I hope this helps.

Dr. G