Ache/Pain When Breathing

[deanps]

Over the past few months when I breathe in I get a sharp pain on the left side of my body on the ribcage area, it only happens maybe once or twice every few months but I now have an ache on the back of my body (still on the left side) which I can only describe as a dull ache, it hurts slightly if I move my left arm up and in a circle motion I also get a pain in my left shoulder if I take a deep breathe what could this be?

[caregiver222]

No, I disagree with the idea of "getting checked out by a chiropractor" for a pain in the rib.

Permitting a chiropractor to take x-rays is quite foolish and inappropriate. I have a particular bias against permitting chiropractors to legally take x-rays.

This is a situation for a medical doctor, with an M.D. in front of his name.

Of the possibilities suggested by Drnee, pleuritis or chostocondritis are common etiologies.

There is some inflammation. Why is unclear at this point.

Be persistant and polite, and a good M.D. will find the answer.

[sbh7884]

I used to work in chiropractic office and when patients would come in with sharp pains from breathing the problem was always that they had whats called a rib head out of alignment. This is right along the lines of having a pinched nerve. Getting adjusted and having specific physical therapies such as electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound and heat therapy always did the trick. I'm not a doctor so I cannot diagnose your problem but getting checked out by a chiropractor and having him take some xrays can show whether this is what the problem is. I hope this helps!

[deanps]

Thankyou for the repy it's very appreciated.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Pain in the left rib cage area and in the shoulder can be due to hiatal hernia, severe gastric reflux, stomach ulcer, pancreatitis, pleuritis (inflammation of covering of lung), pericarditis (inflammation of covering of heart) and costochondritis. It can also be a pinched nerve. It is difficult to comment further without examining. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!