The answer to this question is a definite, YES!
This scenario often involves a patient coming to see me complaining of a sharp pain or discomfort in their chest. They usually tell me they can feel a similar discomfort in their back as well. Breathing is labored and can be quite uncomfortable. Sometimes they'll say things like, ".....it feels really sharp when I cough/sneeze."
So what is going on here? Well let me first say that pain in the chest should be taken very seriously. If you are experiencing chest pain that is unlike anything you've experienced before, go see your family doctor or emergency room by all means. However, if you have experienced this kind of pain before, or have been checked out and serious causes are eliminated, go visit a Chiropractor.
Here's the reason why. I have seen dozens of patients in my years of practice who have complained of chest pain, that was actually originating in their back. The reason is when you visualize your rib cage and the individual ribs, you will realize, a rib is fixed at the two ends. On one end, a rib attaches to your sternum or "breast bone". By in large this end is relative immobile because you have many ribs all connecting to your sternum, a common end point so to speak. However, the other end of any rib is connecting to individual bones in your spine called, Vertebrae. At this end, the rib can only attach to two smaller vertebrae. As you may be aware, because your spine is made up of well over 20 of these smaller Vertebrae, there's a lot more movement in the back, and thus, more chances for things to go wrong.
To add a another layer to this explanation, you have nerves called, Intercostal nerves that shoot off from your spinal cord encased in your spine. These nerves follow each rib from the back and often go to the front of your chest. If there is any problem with your spine, a mis-alignment for instance, this can cause radiating pain from your back, that you feel in your chest.
Why does this happen? you may ask. Well in my practice, I have seen it all. Sometimes, trauma is involved. A snowboarder who falls for instance. A hockey player that gets checked into the boards a little too aggressively. Things of that sort. But sometimes the cause is really innocent. I've had patients suffer this type of injury from sneezing or even putting on a sweater in the morning.
So if you're suffering from this kind of pain and discomfort, come visit my office just off Commercial Drive in East Vancouver and get some relief! You can also visit my site here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC
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