About Junko Expertise I can answer most questions pertaining to teen health, thought I cannot give medical advice. I can explain medical terminology, describe medical conditions and hopefully help people understand what is going on with their bodies. If I don`t know an answer to a question, being a medical student, I can easily find out the answer since I have many resources I can refer to.
Question I went to the doctor today and was told that I had a compressed rib on my left side. And I was wondering what I could do about it, even though I asked the doctor. He said it could be caused by sitting at my computer for long periods of time. I was wondering if it could be anything else and if there was something I could do about the pain I have when I breath, that is it only hurts when it is really bad. Other then that the pain isn't that bad. Thanks in advance, any help would be appreciated.
Answer Hi Tanya,
From what you've described, I think your doctor probably diagnosed you with what's called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Is that right? If that's what it is, your doctor is correct in telling you that bad posture might be the cause of your problem. Did your doctor not suggest any kind of treatment for you? If not, you should go back to him and ask him about physical therapy. In the meantime, here's a website to look at that has some excercises you can try at the bottom of the page: http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/thoracic_outlet/
