Docs...help me with my back pain...
 

About three weeks ago I was getting some rifle cases out of my truck. On one I felt a sharp pain in my mid back...around T10 or so. It only got worse and has stayed about the same. I've seen Chiros and my MD and a back specialist. On the xrays the radiol said nothing abnormal found....not surprising up here. My chiro said that sometimes ribs can subluxate and I'm now thinking that's what is going on. I did not feel any 'pop' or tear. Just felt like I'd been shot in the back.

When I looked at the films (yeah, I can tell about human films to a decent extent) I think I see a sub luxated rib at T-11....the back doc said he couldn't call it. When I lay on my right side I can feel that rib hurting for the entire length. I'm in PT and getting massage from them. At the very site of my pain I really lite up...on the right side.

I get horrible back spasms when I try to get up from laying down...a solid ten. They pass in a few seconds, but all this is no better in the past three weeks. Nothing hurts unless I move or lay on my right side.

I have done some internet (google) searches and find that sub-luxated ribs/popped/slipped ribs are not really uncommon.

Do I need an MRI to prove/disprove this ? What can be done ? I'm taking some small amounts of Vicadin but hate the stuff so usually just don't take anything. I cannot take NSAIDS due to gastric pain when I do.

Love to have some input on this...I'm really hurting...

I have done that, and it is hard to get them back in. Your Chiropractor should be able to do this.

Ice for 20 minutes three times a day. Lie on your back on a rug with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Cross your arms in front of your chest and hug yourself hard while lifting your torso with your legs and rock your spine up and down on the carpet gently.

That is the best I have for you, and I am no doctor. If you can get your rib back in, the pain will stop almost instantly, though you will be sore for a while. This has happened to me more than a few times. Feels like a knife.

If you're interested, I know a Chiro who's really more of a healer in Berkeley. He's highly regarded.

Buy the book written by Dr. John Sarno. Link.... It will revolutionize the way you look at your back pain. I did six years ago and my life has been forever changed. You have nothing to lose.

Thanks all.. I have another appt with my Chiro today. Hopefully he can pop this thing back in. I did manage to get some decent sleep last night. Steve, if he does not do the job I'll ask for contact info on that guy in Berkeley.

Mark,
a good rubdown, an adjustment and a decompression followed by a nice glass or two of your fav Scotch will set you right up!

Inversion table?

Yeah, I'm gonna ask about that when I see him ... sounds painful though.

Luby, my PT guy really digs into my back three times a week. Hurts like hell but maybe he'll be able to pop it back in. Scotch might help ;)

My wife is in PT for a back injury. Not the same as yours methinks. But, the exercises she does is what is making the difference. Se does most of them at her desk.

Just back from my Chiro. He tried to do the crunch, for lack of better word, but I went off like a rocket. Used the activator for a while. Said he didn't know if we/I can get it back in place. If not, it will eventually heal as it sits now but may take a couple months. Oh joy..

Milt, I asked my PT about exercises but he said my back is too hot for that just now.

Thank God I can drive, but only my truck. Can't even get into my P car.

Dan, I'll try that thing you explained sometime this afternoon...after I ice some.

Relaxing exercises. Gentle stretching. Nothing will go well if you're having spasms.

Hope you feel better sooner than 2 months.

Mark - I had a similar issue after taking a bad fall. Popped a rib or two out of alignment (for lack of better word). The only time it didn't hurt was when I was laying down on the opposite side of the injury. I also visited a chiro who used activator and ice. After a month the pain wasn't getting any better and so I went to my sports doc (not chiro but an MD) for an adjustment (crunch). Yes it did hurt but resulting immediate relief made it tolerable. I got noticeable improvement after 2 visits but I have to admit the pain didn't totally go away for a couple months - well except for sneezing - that would hit an 8 on the pain scale for a good 6 months.

David,
Mine may have been set up by a fall I took in August...it was a bad one but I didn't have back pain right away. Like you, I can't lay on the affected side at all....I feel pain in the entire length of the rib. My MD is not a sports med guy but I think I'll approach him about the adjustment none the less....see what he says.

The spasms are fewer this week and I'm back to icing 3-5x daily. I know this will pass eventually and there's a lot of other folks in much worse shape.

I really appreciate all the advice and moral support. Pelican is an amazing place :)