Blog#34:
Chiropractic and Rib Subluxations
Many people have not heard of a rib
subluxation, or any other kind of subluxation, for that matter. Subluxation means that a bone or joint is
somewhat out of alignment but not fully dislocated. Usually a person with a subluxated rib or
some other type of subluxation can still function. However, some discomfort persists until the
subluxation is resolved or until the body adapts to the misalignment by
allowing other bones and/or joints to misalign.
A person with a subluxated rib
may change the position of one shoulder blade, contract the upper trapezius
muscle on one side of their body, or even shift their pelvis to accommodate
this rib imbalance and thus alleviate some of their pain. Although this shift may reduce pain
initially, in the long run more problems usually will arise. Since musculoskeletal stability and balance
are no longer optimal, problems such as shoulder, neck, and pelvic misalignments
will eventually develop and injuries will become more likely. Subluxations, pain, and injuries give rise to
compromised blood and lymph circulation and sub-optimal neurological function,
thus giving rise to further problems.
We typically have twelve ribs. The top seven are attached to the first
through seventh thoracic vertebrae in back and to the sternum (breast bone) in
front. The eighth through tenth ribs
connect to thoracic vertebrae eight through ten in the back. In the front, these three ribs connect to the
costal cartilages of the ribs just above them.
The bottom two ribs, sometimes referred to as “floating ribs” are only
connected to the bottom two thoracic vertebrae in the back.
Ribs can become misaligned for many
reasons, including falls or other traumas, inappropriate exercise such as an
incorrect yoga posture, or by using a shovel, spade or other tool
inappropriately. Rib subluxations can be
extremely painful. Several times in my
career, patients have come to my office after spending hours in the ER because
of extreme pain. Sometimes they thought
they were having a heart attack. Chiropractic appeared magical in these
situations, since it usually is fairly easy to move a rib back into place. Instantaneous pain relief often results. Usually no more than two or three follow-up
treatments are necessary to stabilize the rib or ribs into their correct
position. Occasionally one side of the
rib-cage is misaligned. Even though this
sounds much more daunting, it usually is also fairly easy to remedy.
There are many ways to adjust
subluxated ribs. My favorite method is a
gentle, subtle technique called Ortho-Bionomy.
Originally developed by an osteopath, Ortho-Bionomy includes moving the
patient into a position that allows release of the tension holding the
bone/joint in subluxation. This
technique also helps break up patterns of pain and stress without creating more
pain, and allows the resurgence of normal blood and energy (qi) circulation as well as the return of
healthy muscular and neurological function.
This blog’s offer: contact me for a free consultation if you
have persistent back, side, or chest pain that does not respond significantly to stretching
or other exercises or to over the counter muscle-relaxant or anti-inflammatory
medication. I will tell you if I think
you are suffering from a rib subluxation and will let you know how I can help.
