First Rib Subluxation

	First Rib Subluxation  First Rib Subluxations are one of the most misdiagnosed and overlooked issues when a patient is examined by a medical doctor and one that walks into our office on a daily basis.  If you have a first rib subluxation you may be experiencing a plethora of symptoms including headaches, breathing difficulties, numbness, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, chest pain and pain throughout your entire arm and hand.  The first rib in the human body is an atypical rib and is an important anatomical landmark. It wraps around the cervical spine and touches both the sternum in the front of your body and the lateral aspect of your first thoracic vertebrae just below the base of your neck. This bone can become fixated in a superior position and can cause varying degrees of pain. We find that this subluxation can occur after sleeping in an odd position, if a person normally has forward head posture or if you spend a lot of time with your head flexed forward while reading or texting.  First rib subluxation is usually involved if someone is diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome which can compress the nerves, arteries or veins in the passageway from the lower neck to the upper arm. It can inhibit the body’s ability to naturally supply the arm with proper blood and nerve supply and can often inhibit an individual from being able to fully raise their arms above their head.  This type of problem should normally be fixed in our office in a total of 3-4 visits without the use of drugs or surgery.  Treatment May Include:  Chiropractic Adjustments to restore proper position of the bone.  Ultrasound to bring blood flow and oxygen back to the area.  Cupping and Graston Technique are often used to relax the muscles around the area to ensure that the bone is not pulled back out of place after the adjustment itself.  Kinesio Taping to hold the adjustment in place and to ensure speedy healing.  1950 Laurel Manor Dr Ste. 204 The Villages, FL 32162 p. 352-259-0024 f. 352-430-1904 www.legacyclinic.org