Question
Hi, my name is Joe. Recently, I was doing some Teakwondo for a video. I never got punched or kicked directly on any part of my body. I already had some abdominal pain off and on because of my back kind of hunching me forward. After back adjustments, I started feeling better. I was even able to breath better. I lost tightness in my chest, and overall felt good.

But, I did this Teakwondo and all the sudden, the following day I had rib pain. It seemed to not only hurt in the center of me, but it got worse as the days went on.

I actually went to a chiropractor the very next day for my regular appointment. I got both a neck and back adjustment. Now, I figured I would feel better, but as I said, it felt worse as time went on. The following week, I got adjusted again, and still didn't feel well.

I finally went to a medical doctor, and they X-Rayed me. I had nothing broken or sprained. But the pain is still there. I've tried taking anti-inflammatory pills, but nothing helps. I got a shot too, and that didn't even come close to killing the pain.

I'm getting pain on my sides, on the ribs close to my heart and stomach, and then some on my chest. This all depending on how I'm sitting, lying, or standing.

Now, heat helps some on it. But, the pain never officially goes away at any point. I really don't know what to do. This has gone on for almost 2 weeks now, and it's really hurting a ton. I think it may be cartilage damage.

I've been wearing a wrap around my ribs the past few days. I mainly wear it when I know I'm going to be moving around. And I also wear it off and on throughout the day. However, it gets uncomfortable, so I do take it off from time to time. It has helped some, but once again, pain never really dies.

I could really use another opinion, so if you please, help me out.

Thank you in advance.

Answer
joe,
   you may have flexed your abs even though you didn't get hit. this can cause your already existing problem to worsen. if your pain increases when you move or take a deep breath you may have a rib displacement. I would go back to your chiropractor 3 times a week for a week or even 2 weeks and give it a chance to heal. You can't expect a problem you've already had to get improve in 1 or 2 visits spread out over a week. it may take you a few weeks to get through all this. i would follow your chiro's directions. if you are not improving (key word= improving) over 2-4 weeks then get an mri.