Rib Pain - Why Do My Ribs Hurt?

There isn't a week that goes by in my office that I don't see a person who presents with pain through their middle back, painful breathing and discomfort with movement. The pain can often be very intense. Often they may mistake these symptoms for angina or a heart problem and go to the emergency room first.

Causes of Rib Pain

Often the cause of a fractured, broken, popped or cracked rib may occur with any known injury or trauma, but may have happened secondary to a bout of hard coughing, or movements that involve a repetitive stress to that region of the body, such as golfing or rowing. In other situations a person who has cancer or an infection could experience what is known as a pathological fracture due to a disease process affecting the bone. Older individuals or osteoporotic persons are also vulnerable or at higher risk of having what is called a fragility fracture, again due to diseased bone structure.

A person can also experience a cracked rib or popped rib from a high velocity impact, or a "crush injury." This is most common in injuries related to auto accidents and impact sports such as ice hockey, Aussie Rules football, gridiron and rugby.

Symptoms of Rib Pain

In most cases there can be intense pain associated with movement and with deep breathing. Bending and twisting can also be quite painful. Tenderness and pain over the area of involvement.

What To Do If You Have Rib Pain

In the immediate short term, rest and immobilisation are the best things which may provide relief. If you have been involved in an automobile injury, depending on the severity of the injury it is imperative to rule out injury to other organ systems, including the heart, aorta and lungs.

A persons medical history and physical examination will provide the doctor with the information necessary to make a presumptive diagnosis of a broken or fractured rib.

Radiographs (x-rays) can be used to identify a bone trauma. Cracked ribs, fractured or broken ribs are among the most commonly identified pathologies when dealing with chest injuries.

Once a complete diagnosis has been made, your doctor will be able to determine the appropriate treatment for your specific problem.

Chiropractic Adjustment for Popped Ribs

Depending on the severity of the injury, healing times can vary. Often with a "popped rib," conservative care can be quite effective for providing pain relief and restoring normal function. Low force, specific chiropractic adjustments can be a safe, effective and gentle approach to correcting a misaligned rib-spine problem, or a popped rib. Chiropractic instrument adjusting can be a very beneficial approach to providing relief in individuals who may not be candidates for traditional manual chiropractic techniques, such as elderly people, or people who may have other health issues involving their problem. We utilise an instrument based approach in many circumstances.

Any treatment recommendations would be based on an accurate diagnosis of your problem. Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough medical history, including ongoing medical conditions, current medications, traumatic/surgical history, and lifestyle factors. Examination may include orthopaedic and neurological tests if necessary depending on the level of pain, and also x-rays or other advanced imaging such as magnetic resonance (MRI). Most episodes of popped ribs respond favourably to chiropractic care and resolve quickly.

As I mentioned earlier, this article is meant as a guide and anyone experiencing severe pain should consult with their doctor immediately for a complete and thorough assessment.

Chiropractic and The Nervous System

Perth chiropractor in Hillarys, Dr. Eric Brukwinki looks at Chiropractic and The Nervous System. Dr. Brukwinski is co-founder of the Hillarys chiropractic location of West Coast Family Chiropractic http://www.westcoastfamilychiropractic.com in Perth, Western Australia.

Shoulder Pain Relief Perth: Bursitis and Tendonitis

Perth chiropractor in Hillarys, Dr. Stacey Burke looks at shoulder pain and in a brief overview discusses two types of common presentations, bursitis and tendonitis.  Dr. Burke is co-founder of the Hillarys chiropractic location of West Coast Family Chiropractic http://www.westcoastfamilychiropractic.com in Perth, Western Australia.

Chiropractic - The Million Dollar Secret to Minimising Golf Injuries

As a Chiropractor working with many golfers and the injuries they sustain to their lower back the thought of symmetry came to mind. This applies to many sports. Look at a field hockey or tennis player. One thing to remember about the lower back is that it is primarily designed for bending forwards and backwards. Rotation of our body occurs where the middle back called the thoracic spine meets the lower back. This is known as the thoraco-lumbar junction. More on this area of the spine later. However the golf swing demands rotation and the lower back doesn't like that. When this happens the muscles of the pelvis work harder.

Common complaints of lower back and buttock pain flood the practitioners doors and hurt our golf game. If one area of the spine is not working optimally what happens is that the other areas above and below have to compensate and this is where injury may occur. Ideally each spinal bone should line up over the other creating parallel lines. You begin to lose that symmetry putting more stress on the lower back. In a golfer what happens when they set up to the ball? Stand behind one of the players in your group and see if one of their shoulders is lower than the other. Does it mimic their set up? When a right handed golfer sets up to the ball the muscles on the right side shorten and lengthen on the left creating this asymmetry. This may lead to injury.

How do we try to maintain a good balance of our muscles and spine and still enjoy the game? Try this!! After your next round take some practice swings opposite your normal handedness. This will help maintain that 50/50 balance between the right and left sides of the body. If we are equal right and left we should be less likely to have pain. If you are right handed take 12-15 practice swings left handed. This helps keep the body in balance minimizing chronic joint stress. Your chiropractor can help you with this also. Your spine and muscles will appreciate you for it, so will your handicap.

Dr. Eric Brukwinski is co-founder of West Coast Family Chiropractic in Perth. Western Australia.http://www.westcoastfamilychiropractic.com He is a 1998 graduate of Life University in Marietta, Georgia USA. He received a M.S. degree in Sport Health Science and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. Dr. Brukwinski has also lectured and is currently a Clinic Supervisor at Murdoch University School of Chiropractic, in Perth West Australia. Dr. Brukwinski did extensive research during his masters on golf injuries and the biomechanics of the golf swing. He is an avid golfer always working at getting his handicap as low as he can.

Shoulder Pain Relief- Tendonitis and Bursitis Perth

Shoulder pain and shoulder injuries are one of the most common presentations into my chiropractic practice. There are a multitude of reasons why people present with shoulder pain complaints. It is very important to thoroughly examine the shoulder and make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the pain, so that the appropriate treatment plan can be directed at repairing and strengthening the shoulder joint.

It is a very common occurrence for a person to come and explain to me that they have been diagnosed with bursitis or tendinitis in the shoulder. "Itis" is another way of saying there is inflammation, in this particular case, inflammation of the bursa or an area of the shoulder joint that is painful. When these problems occur together, and because there is a limited amount of space within the shoulder joint, the muscles and tendons become irritated and squeezed between the humerus and the shoulder blade, "impinging" these structures. Repetitive movements and stresses irritate the tendons, muscles and associated soft tissues in the joint area. The symptoms of impingement syndrome can be very mild or very severe. The fluid filled bursa between tendon and bone, or tendon and skin, when inflamed is called bursitis.

Symptoms of impingement syndrome or bursitis usually include a gradual onset of pain, most commonly in the upper arm or shoulder region. Once irritated, the tendons are easily inflamed and the swelling continues to irritate and cause more pain and inflammation. Sleeping on their side or on the shoulder can be painful and difficult. If the front area of the upper arm and shoulder area is involved, the biceps tendon may be exhibiting some tendinitis also. It is fairly common to see pain referral to areas in the forearm and elbow also.

Consultation and examination of an individual with impingement syndrome or bursitis symptoms would include a thorough history, a physical exam, and other tests such as imaging (x-rays or MRI) and neurological tests may be necessary. The most common approach to treating the shoulder pain with conservative management includes rest initially from sports, work related activities, or heavy lifting, that may have been part of the initial injury causing the irritation and inflammation. Ice, and alternating ice and heat combined may help to reduce or limit the inflammation. Some gentle shoulder stretching, and strengthening exercises may be added once the pain starts to reduce.

Chiropractic instrument adjustments and low force manual adjustments are a safe, effective and gentle approach to mobilisation of the shoulder joint and the associated rotator cuff tendons. This may help to increase circulation into the area, break down any adhesions in the joint area, gradually increase the range of motion, and improve the exchange of nutrients within the injured tissues to reduce inflammation and accelerate the repair process.

Individuals with shoulder bursitis normally respond to conservative non-surgical treatments. The response time varies from person to person but usually a month to three months is a normal timeframe for resolution of symptoms or significant improvement. A longer timeframe may be required for a more optimal healing response. In severe cases where a person has not responded to conservative care or there is advanced damage to the involved area, shoulder surgery may be a necessary step.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care in Perth

One of the reasons for the continued rise and growth of chiropractic care in the medical field is due to the wide array of benefits that can be derived from it. Plus, many recommend this particular treatment method due to the non-invasive approach and its insistence on awakening the body's natural ability to heal.

Common Chiropractic Benefits

Dysfunction in your muscoskeletal system does not exclude anyone. Therefore, anyone will benefit from the healing ability of chiropractic care to provide relief from any form of discomfort that one undergoes when they have misaligned spine, back, or neck. But for individuals who are required to remain active, the presence of such dysfunction disables them from performing well and limit their motor capacity. This is due to the fact that any form of movement on the traumatized area of the body can result to pain or discomfort.

Regardless of the cause of your initial discomfort, among the benefits you can enjoy are as follows:

• Improved circulation
• Reduction or elimination of lactic acid
• Smoother travel of oxygen and nutrients in the body
• More flexibility
• Elimination of any pain or soreness
• Faster recovery time
• Reduced muscle spasm
• Prevention of future injury
• More relaxed feeling

Combination Treatments

If you want to enhance the benefits of chiropractic care, it is best to combine your efforts with natural techniques. Even chiropractors recommend it in order to help your body adjust to the treatment provided. The relief from any pressure or source of discomfort will allow your body to attain maximum mobility and better performance.

To enhance the results, you must try to develop a routine that incorporates the following physical activities:

• Keep your body properly hydrated.

• Follow a healthy nutritional plan.

• Do some stretching exercises or develop a healthy exercise routine.

Additional Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Several people have misconceptions about chiropractic care. One of them being that it is not a valid form of treatment and is used only for mild cases of back pain, headaches, and the like. However, this form of treatment method offer adjustment benefits even to those suffering from extreme cases of spinal or vertebral misalignment.

But the benefits extend beyond muscoskeletal and different people who suffer from these illnesses experience varying results as well:

• For pregnant women, they are able to deliver much easier.

• For babies, they have improved developmental abilities and prevent the possibility of acquiring scoliosis.

• For kids, it helps prevent asthma, ear infection, bedwetting, among other things.

• For adults, they are able to generate more energy and increase productivity.

• For senior individuals, they attain better balance and prevent injury caused by falling off.

Meanwhile, overall results and benefits reported from patients who've undergone chiropractic care includes the following:

• Boost in the functions of the immune and nervous system.

• Patients attain improved vitality.

• Breathing becomes easier.

• Better digestive function.

• Sharper vision.

• Improved overall health.

When Do Results Become Evident?

Following chiropractic treatment, your body will start to realign and relieve yourself from any pressure that is causing pain in your joints. In mild cases, a patient will immediately experience relief soon after undergoing chiropractic care. Hence, this is one of the advantages of opting for chiropractic care over surgical or medical procedures that often require a long recovery period.

In other cases, there might be a slight feeling of soreness or aching that can be felt with chiropractic treatment. The reason for this is that your body has to readjust to the realignment done after being misaligned for a while.

However, it shouldn't take long either before your body can regain its normal function and mobility.

Choosing A Personal Trainer in Perth Western Australia

Perth chiropractor in Hillarys, Dr. Eric Brukwinski and Trainer Luke O'Donohoe discuss what to look for When choosing A Personal Trainer. Dr. Brukwinski is co-founder of the Hillarys chiropractic location of West Coast Family Chiropractic http://www.westcoastfamilychiropractic.com in Perth, Western Australia and Luke O'Donohoe is a certified trainer with a B.ESS (Exercise Science) at Aspire Fitness in Claremont,WA.