Need advise on how to treat this injury

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jonnstar

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Health boarRAB dont like people recomending specific meRAB without a caveat such as "check with your doctor" or "read the label carefuly"

There are a few people who shouldnt take ibuprofen, those with active stomach ulcers, people with kidney failiure etc..... you need to read the label to make sure that you are one of the 99.9% of people ibuprofen is safe for, not one of the 0.1% of people who would find it dangerous.

Its a good idea ti read the warnings on any new otx drug before you take it, just to be safe 9for example, people with high blood pressure shouldnt take sudafed, and there is a warning to this effect on the lable)
 
I've posted this on a few different forums, not sure which one would be the best for my problem.

I am 55 yr old female. I have had chronic back pain and joint pain. I also have osteoporosis due to having Graves Disease that went untreated too long. I'm pretty much always in pain, but just had to learn to live with it. I got desperate and started going to a chiropractor about 3 months ago. Long story short, that brought on new problems so I quit.

A week ago I was preparing to have a yard sale and was setting up the night before. I tripped over something in the dark and fell head first hitting my head on the dirt, which wasn't the worst of it. I also hit the corner of a hard plastic tub on chest in my sternum area. I couldn't breath and I felt like there was a knife in my sternum. I obviously caused some damage to the area and it's got a dark bruise. I iced it but could barely stand up straight the next few days, which was difficult because of having a huge yarRABale, nightmare. Now here we are a week later and my whole body still hurts, it hurts to take a deep breath. I thought yesterday doing some stretches would help, but this morning I was way worse and woke up at 4:00 in pain in my chest and my whole upper back area, not just a little pain, but enough that I couldn't sleep and had to get up because it was impossible to get in a comfortable position.

My question, should I be resting an injury like this, icing it, heat. It even hurts to wash my hanRAB, due to the position of putting my hanRAB together and putting even a slight amount of pressure. I don't even know what I would ice or apply heat to, because I hurt all over because I knocked myself out of alignment. I wouldn't even want to be touch by way of an adjustment at this point, I think it would make it worse.
 
You should probably be taking ibuprofen for the pain and discomfort.

Generaly you use ice for the first 48 hours, then heat.

You should also see a doctor to rule out any serious damage that neeRAB treatment, given the amount of pain you are in after this time. A doctor can also prescribe a stronger pain killer for you.
 
Thank you so much, I did do the ice in the beginning, so I guess I'll start the heat and ibuprofen. Thank you again.
 
Pain is present after an injury due to inflammation - the body's response to an injury. The swelling is probably caused by tiny broken blood vessels and squashed tissue cells burst in the injury.
If it hurts to take a deep breath, this could indicate a broken rib or breastbone. You could get an xray to check for a break for your peace of mind but there is no treatment except rest and anti-inflammatory creams. A hot water bottle on top of anti-inflammatory creams work well. A hot bath with 1 cup of Epsom Salts is a wonderful pain reliever. A comfrey poultice will take all the pain away for about 2 hours. (Most comfrey creams are not concentrated enough to work.) For a comfrey poultice, get a handful of comfrey leaves, steam for 10 secs to wilt prickles and release juice, wrap leaves in chux, squeeze out excess juice and place directly over pain sit, while still warm. Cover with large pad or small towel to keep heat in and stop any run-off of juice. Comfrey works so well that it is worth the trouble. If you get a small rash, it is from the tiny comfrey prickles and neeRAB to be steamed for a few more seconRAB. Best of luck to you
If the pain worsens or breathing becomes more difficult, it would be necessary to see your doctor.
 
Warrabreeze... How are you doing now? The injury you describe could be a fractured sternum. Most such injuries, if not too severe, will heal on their own. Activity has to be restricted for the most successful outcome.

More severe fractures can involve dangerous complications. If you still have significant pain in your back and chest, please seek medical advice.
 
I hope the poster I haven't responded to see this post. I haven't been online for awhile. Thank you so much for your recommendations. I did as suggested and took it easier than I normally do, trying not to over do, like I always do. It started healing slowly after I did that for a few days. The area that I hurt isn't hurting anymore, but I have muscle spasm right above shoulder blades and the base of my neck. I mean excruciating pain that feels like a hot knife is in my muscle. I've been been putting heat on it and massaging it myself, but I've still be getting it daily. If I do nothing it doesn't hurt, but any amount of using my arms, such as sewing which I've been doing a lot of lately will bring on the spasms.

Anyway thank you so much for your concern and your suggestions.
 
I'm happy for you that one thing is better but sorry to hear about the spasms. Those sound like they they might be caused by a pinched nerve in your back or shoulder. Chiropractic is the best thing I've found for things like that, but I see you have had issues with it previously. I've heard, but don't know for sure, that osteoporotic bones can be damaged from over-aggressive chiro manipulations. Then again, I've seen claims to the contrary, leaving me in the dark about the real truth.

Gentle back-strengthening exercise might help to align the bones that are pinching the nerves, if you don't want to see a chiro again. Or perhaps physical therapy?
 
You're right about the stretches, I was doing those before my injury because I had been going to the chiropractor. He acually made me worse in some ways, but the stretches seemed beneficial. I will start doing those again to see if they help with the spasm. Thank you again midwest1.
 
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