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severe upper back and upper chest pains and some in the sides
9/26 8:50:37

Question
I my name is Dave im 25 years old. Recently i started to have upper back and upper chest pains. Sometimes in my sides. Some times when i move my neck to the side it feels like it is going to like "pop out" if you can imagine, almost like myneck is going to break. I went to the ER they took a chest x ray and its was normal, they checked my kidneys, liver, stomach, and even bladder by way of a ultra sound. It was all negative. I do roofing and siding and about a year ago i took a fall about 17 feet, landed on my side but it was a straight fall i slid down the ladder bounced and got thrown, after that i was ok. I dont know if that plays a roll. The pain goes away at times, and also when i lay down on my back straight. If i m on my stomach or side it starts to hurt more and more. Im starting to get nervous. It dosent hurt when i breath, i dont have shotness of breath. I dont smoke cigarettes but i do smoke pot on occasion. I just think it is somethin wiht my back or spine that is causing this pain can u help? it kind feels better also if i arch my back and push my chest forward, almost like streching my spine. Im 6'0 185 in good physical condition. Played sports all my life

Answer
back pain , chest pain , neck pain , trauma , fall off ladder ,


Hello David,

Sorry to hear you are hurting.  

From where I stand, I think the fall down the ladder started a process that is resulting in your current complaints.

Seventeen feet, two stories is quite a fall.  I am still an Emergency Medical Technician, and used to ride the ambulance in the NYC 911 system.  Two stories always resulted in damage; broken bones, sprain, strain, even organ damage.  You are very lucky you did not cause greater damage to yourself.

"....I just think it is somethin wiht my back or spine that is causing this pain....", you are probably correct.  It is probably something within your neck/ back/ spine that is radiating or referring pain.  You also state "...move my neck to the side it feels like it is going to like "pop out" if you can imagine, almost like myneck is going to break....", so let us start here.

My recommendation is to see your local doctor of chiropractic for evaluation and perhaps treatment.

Your fall may not have injured organs or caused a fracture.  Your fall probably did cause sprain/ strain/ contusion, possibly 'pinched nerves', possibly herniated disc(s).  Sometimes it takes time to feel the full effect of trauma.

"Whiplash"- a term usually no longer used, got a bad name because sometimes it took days, weeks, even months for the full symptomatology to appear ('whiplash' now usually termed cervical sprain/strain, cervical acceleration/ deceleration injury).

I recommend the local DC, Xrays (neck, back, perhaps chest), perhaps MRI and/or EMG/ncv testing.  Proper evaluation will determine appropriate diagnosis and treatment in your case.

As you can see, the problem is slowly growing worse.  Over time, left un-attended, or treated improperly (ie- taking pain-killing drugs to cover up the problem), your complaints could grow even worse.

"....i took a fall about 17 feet, landed on my side but it was a straight fall i slid down the ladder bounced and got thrown, after that i was ok....",,,,  "after that i was ok", - I do not think you were, I do not think you are -  'okay'.

This sounds like one of my own Staten Island Workers Compensation cases.  I have a patient, injured at work in a fall from a ladder, cleared by the hospital and MD, months later- had progressively worse complaints.  Since the injury was documented, and since my exam, MRI, EMG all showed Herniated disc and 'pinched nerves'; the patient was covered through Workers Comp, was able to take a little time off from work for treatment (paid a workers compensation disability salary), received proper attention (paid through New York Workers Compensation, not a penny from the patient's pocket), and has returned to full duty at work.


In my office, to give further information to my patients, my Staten Island Back Pain patients get the following informational hand-out sheets:




PAIN     

Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?
 
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain, pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?


   NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.

  Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.



Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.



The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Disk   Herniation  

Low  Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.  

Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).  

Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause LBP (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  

Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic.   

Sometimes LBP is caused by a Herniated disc: Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.   Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.

Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   

Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   

Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful. Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
 
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.     Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-   mechanical-   problem  requires  a   mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians;  Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


揥hiplash?   

( Also Known As-  Cervical  Sprain/ Strain,  CAD= Cervical Acceleration/ Deceleration Injury)

Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a 慦hiplash Injury?  This can result in ligament sprain, muscle strain, and 憄inched nerves?

Often  -  the    c a u s e   of  the neck stiffness and pain; a cause of stretched ligaments and muscle strain is a misalignment,  a 慿ink?in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

Sometimes 慦hiplash?symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months after the actual trauma !

Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you would like, do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com @
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm


I hope this helps.

Good Luck,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC

http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com

http://SIWorkComp.com

Http://SIautoaccident.com  

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