How Does a Chiropractor Put Your Rib Back in Place?
The ribcage is a skeletal structure that protects your internal organs, heart, and lungs. It is flexible and can become misaligned. When this occurs, you will experience pain when moving breathing, or laughing. Fortunately, a chiropractor near you can help put your rib back in place, eliminating the pain. Read on to learn how they do this and what to expect at the chiropractor’s.
What Causes Rib Misalignment?
It is common for ribs to shift out of place at the side, front, or rear of the ribcage. When this happens, you will experience extreme pain when moving, breathing, or laughing. Your rib can become misaligned or subluxated due to the reasons below.
- Working out incorrectly or using inappropriate exercise equipment.
- Extreme vomiting, sneezing, or coughing.
- Poor posture puts excess pressure on your ribs.
- Weight shifts to the front side during pregnancy.
- Car accidents where the airbags go off forcefully, hitting the ribcage.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dislocated Rib?
Most people with dislocated ribs assume they have heartburn, heart issues, or reflux disease. Therefore, they self-medicate without any success. Fortunately, you can avoid this mistake and get proper treatment from a chiropractor in Inglewood. You can do this by checking these symptoms of an out-of-place rib.
- Swelling and bruising around the ribs
- Extreme pain in the chest or back
- A lump or swelling over the affected rib
- Excruciating pain when trying to sit up or breath
- Painful sneezing, vomiting, and coughing
- Difficulty breathing in or out
- Paralysis or numbness on surrounding ribs
- Tenderness at the site of the affected rib
- Pain when lifting your hands or moving
How Does a Chiropractor Treat a Dislocated Rib?
When you visit the chiropractor in Inglewood with pain around the chest or back, they will do an exam. The evaluation will determine the cause of pain and rule out any fracture or pathology. It involves taking x-rays and MRI scans of the affected area and reviewing your medical history. After the diagnosis, they will create a customized treatment plan for you.
The chiropractor will apply various techniques to correct the problem. They will perform a percussive massage, Graston myofascial release, and specific thrusts. The massage allows muscles around the misaligned rib to relax and become more pliable.
A firm and gentle push and guided thrusts by the chiropractor help pop the rib back into place. You will experience immediate relief once the rib assumes its correct position. The expert will then use a special tape to support and stabilize the joint for a few days. They will then prescribe rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the ribs and avoid a recurrence of the issue.
Is Chiropractic Treatment for a Misaligned Rib Painful?
Misaligned ribs cause debilitating pain and discomfort. Back pain treatment in Inglewood for subluxated ribs is not as painful as having a dislocated rib. The chiropractor will use gentle hand motions to massage the area and restore the rib to its correct place. Most people report not feeling any pain during the treatment. The relief is usually instant and dramatic.
After the treatment, the area around the realigned rib can be sore for a few days. However, the pain is not as sharp or deep as the previous one and is temporary. It can be eased with over-the-counter painkillers.
Tips to Keep Your Rib Joints in Alignment
You cannot prevent an accident whereby your ribs shift out of place. However, you can take precautions to keep your rib joints aligned, avoiding misalignment. You can do this by assuming good posture at all times. Sit up without slouching to allow your ribcage to expand and contract as you breathe.
Always ensure that your shoulder blades are drawn back and down when using your arms to reach something, drive, or type. Doing so stabilizes them, minimizing the risk of rib misalignment. When you notice pain around your chest or back that does not ease with medication, visit a chiropractor. They will evaluate the area and provide effective treatment.
Conclusion
Most people live with chronic pain due to spine and skeletal system issues. Fortunately, you can find relief through chiropractic care and spinal adjustment therapy sessions. Contact us at South Bay Wellness Center to increase your comfort and mobility.