This is a very sharp pain
Most patients describe it as knife-like pain. Why does this occur? A little anatomy will help you to understand this. Each rib actually attaches to the spine in two different locations. At each site of attachment, a joint is formed allowing movement. Yes, the ribs move. If it weren’t for this movement, we could not take a breath or bend in this area. Because of these joints, certain movements can create problems. Typically, “extreme” twisting of the upper body will cause these joints to become misaligned or subluxated. When this happens the ligaments that surround the joints (joint capsule) become stretched and on occasion pulled inside the joint allowing the capsule to be pinched. This is what causes that horrible knife-like pain. Treating this requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy in this area and the skill to adjust the rib head(s) back into their proper location.
Rib head pain, if not treated properly will become chronic. If you are experiencing this type of pain and you live in the Cincinnati area, give me a call and schedule an exam. Allowing this condition to become chronic is a mistake that all regret.
I hope this post was helpful.
Dr. Gould
The only true-business-card we have is our posture. Think about that statement. Typically, what is the first thing you notice about someone? Their posture! It’s true, our posture is the one element that makes the Strongest First Impression. Not only does it impact what others think about us but more importantly, it impacts our own Physiology and our Psychology. It effects how we breath, how we feel and our mood. Think of a depressed person’s posture. Their head is down and their shoulders are slumped.
Our daily posture, to a large degree will determine how the structural components (skeletal system and joints) of our body ages. Let me explain why. Maintaining a good posture allows the weight of our head and upper body to be placed on the bony part of our spine. This weight gets transferred into our pelvic area then into the seat pan of a chair if we are sitting or down our legs into the floor if we are standing. Because of this fact, good posture requires very little muscular effort.
Conversely, poor daily posture creates a variety of problems. These problems occur due to the body adapting to the postures we maintain at work, home or leisure. Any posture that we regularly maintain for a prolonged period of time our body will adapt to. Specifically, it is our ligaments that adapt. Some shorten and others lengthen. When this happens the weight of our body gets transferred improperly. Over time our posture begins to change. The most common change is called anterior weight bearing. There is a forward shift of the head (See picture). If this is not corrected over time the mid back will become prominent. Because of this, these people develop chronic upper back pain.
So go look in the mirror. Better yet, look at some recent photos of yourself. Now that you have a better understanding about posture, are you pleased at what you see? There are many factors that contribute to poor posture. The majority are correctable over time. As a chiropractor, I have an acute awareness that a person’s posture is actually a window to their spine. If you feel your posture could use some work, give me a call and let’s begin.
Yours in Health!
Dr. Gould
The upper back or thoracic spine generally speaking, is more stable than the neck and the lower back due to the attaching ribs. Even with this extra stiffness, problems still occur. Below are common things that happen to the mid back or thoracic spine.
Rib Head Pain
This is a very sharp pain. Most patients describe it as knife-like pain. Why does this occur? A little anatomy will help you to understand this. Each rib actually attaches to the spine in two different locations. At each site of attachment, a joint is formed allowing movement. Yes, the ribs move. If it weren’t for this movement, we could not take a breath or bend in this area. Because of these joints, certain movements can create problems. Typically, “extreme” twisting of the upper body will cause these joints to become misaligned or subluxated. When this happens the ligaments that surround the joints (joint capsule) become stretched and on occasion pulled inside the joint allowing the capsule to be pinched. This is what causes that horrible knife-like pain. Treating this requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy in this area and the skill to adjust the rib head(s) back into their proper location.
Compression Fracture
There are a variety of things that cause compression fractures; some are insidious others are sudden due to trauma.
• Insidious causes – A weakening of the bone due to a demineralization or osteoporosis causes the vertebral body to become vulnerable to compression forces. We have all seen people that have had this type of problem. They tend to become hunch backed. There are various terms for this Gibbus deformity or a Dowager’s hump.
• Traumatic causes – Any sudden forceful forward flexion of the thoracic spine can create forces capable of causing compression fractures. If you have recently been involved in an accident and have deep mid-back pain you need to have this evaluated. This will require x-rays of the involved area.
If a fracture is diagnosed, I will refer the patient to an orthopedist for an evaluation. I have seen several of these over the years. Pain from rid heads however, I see on a regular basis. My treatment is very effective. I have treated many weekend warriors in the greater Cincinnati area that have suffered with rid head problems. As with other musculoskeletal problems the sooner you begin treatment the better.
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