Somatic Rib Dysfunction/Malalingment

Posted by LPRSOB @jdbarr1, Oct 30, 2025

Has anyone received this diagnosis?

I was sent to the chiropractor who used the activator method, and its not working. In fact, I think I am getting worse. Its a little machine that delivers bits of pressure.

I was formally diagnosed with costochondritis but I saw a physiatrist I trust and he says I must have coughed a rib or two loose. I see online that chiropractic adjustment typically helps but now I have to wait and see if I can find someone who actually has experience with this.

Any tips? I am so so terrified. It has been over a year and I am scared this is my new reality forever. I could use some support and comfort from the community.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Profile picture for anthony29621 @anthony29621

@carolynhughes75

Hi , have the same I was assaulted in 2008 , the ribs are a real killer, I can’t work anymore it ..
I have a 2 inch swelling just from the centre of the chest under the nipple and runs around into my back .. I do wish I was dead.. I got 2 strokes from the pain..

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@anthony29621
Anthony, I am so sorry for the pain you are dealing with. I have never met anyone who has the same type of pain. I certainly empathize with you, because I know what the pain does to your body, life, emotions and ability to function. I hope you have a support system. Please don't let the pain win. Search out any and all treatments. Have you tried acupuncture? I am in the process of going to be evaluated at Vanderbilt's Osher Center for pain. I so hope they will have something that will help. And I have talked with a hypnotist and plan to use him, if Vanderbilt doesn't have anything to offer. My life is pretty boring. I am mostly housebound unless it is something that I absolutely have to do. And unfortunately I cancel a lot of things, because my pain is so unbearable. I would love to talk to you more. You can send me a private message if you wish to contact. I will pray for relief for you. Sounds like we are living similar lives. Carolyn

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Profile picture for carolynhughes75 @carolynhughes75

@anthony29621
Anthony, I am so sorry for the pain you are dealing with. I have never met anyone who has the same type of pain. I certainly empathize with you, because I know what the pain does to your body, life, emotions and ability to function. I hope you have a support system. Please don't let the pain win. Search out any and all treatments. Have you tried acupuncture? I am in the process of going to be evaluated at Vanderbilt's Osher Center for pain. I so hope they will have something that will help. And I have talked with a hypnotist and plan to use him, if Vanderbilt doesn't have anything to offer. My life is pretty boring. I am mostly housebound unless it is something that I absolutely have to do. And unfortunately I cancel a lot of things, because my pain is so unbearable. I would love to talk to you more. You can send me a private message if you wish to contact. I will pray for relief for you. Sounds like we are living similar lives. Carolyn

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@carolynhughes75 tryed them all.. bought the t shirt..

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Profile picture for anthony29621 @anthony29621

It’s called slipping rib syndrome.. I have it with coscondritis .. I was assaulted by a department official try to claim land he did not own that how I got mine 20yrs later I’m not able to work over it ..

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@anthony29621
That’s a terrible way to have had this all come about. It’s amazing how life can change in an instant.

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Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

I had chronic costochondritis for decades. I had to be so careful with stretching, upper body exercise, sports, etc. to not cause a flair up. It’s soooo painful!

The only thing that ever made it better for me other than time was osteopathic manipulation — very hands on. That was the first time I’d been pain free in years and it lasted 2 years before the next flair up. A chiropractor with a very hands on technique might work, but the chiropractor I saw just did TENS, hot packs, neck cracking, etc. and I did not feel that worked at all. The osteopath also took away my two long years of whiplash pain that six months of chiropractic didn’t help. The osteopath fixed my whiplash in 10 visits and said it would have been 4 if I saw him when it first happened. He fixed my costochondritis in 4 visits. This was 36 years ago so maybe chiropractic techniques have changed.

I was 30 and so was my osteopath (my primary physician). He was still building his practice and said once an osteopath has a full practice they don’t have time to do osteopathic manipulation anymore. He was more expensive than chiropractor but priceless! It also helped that he had costochondritis in medical school so he could relate. I hope you find someone, maybe a young osteopath still building a practice? He told me costochondritis is not usually chronic. He only had it once due to stress. I have a rare nerve disorder that I believe is the trigger. My issues with it have greatly improved in the past 20 years but I’m 66 now — much less active and I’m careful with triggers. My heart goes out to you.

What were you doing when the pain started? If the ribs are loose, wouldn’t that show up on an xray? My bet is inflammation. Have you tried the 6 day prednisone or medrol pack to reduce inflammation? My doctor told me that would be overkill but nothing was too extreme for the pain I was in. He suggested NSAIDs to reduce inflammation but I’m allergic. I did try a single injection of cortisone once and that didn’t help.

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@californiazebra

I have gotten an osteopath appt set up. Your story gives me hope. I have been rotting away in bed

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Profile picture for LPRSOB @jdbarr1

@californiazebra

I have gotten an osteopath appt set up. Your story gives me hope. I have been rotting away in bed

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@jdbarr1
Great! I hope it all goes well for you.

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Profile picture for LPRSOB @jdbarr1

@californiazebra

Thank you for your message. I appreciate your encouragement.

I am terrified but ill keep searching for someone who can help.

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@jdbarr1

My first osteopath appt my pain dropped 80% but my 2nd and 3rd appt no improvement and I seem to be getting worse again!

Is this normal? I know you said it took like 10 appts cause of how long you had your issue and Ive had mine a while as well.

Does this follow your pattern for recovery at all?

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Profile picture for LPRSOB @jdbarr1

@jdbarr1

My first osteopath appt my pain dropped 80% but my 2nd and 3rd appt no improvement and I seem to be getting worse again!

Is this normal? I know you said it took like 10 appts cause of how long you had your issue and Ive had mine a while as well.

Does this follow your pattern for recovery at all?

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Profile picture for LPRSOB @jdbarr1

@jdbarr1

My first osteopath appt my pain dropped 80% but my 2nd and 3rd appt no improvement and I seem to be getting worse again!

Is this normal? I know you said it took like 10 appts cause of how long you had your issue and Ive had mine a while as well.

Does this follow your pattern for recovery at all?

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@jdbarr1
I’m glad the first visit improved the pain 80%. That’s huge! Sorry it’s getting worse again. Are you still in treatment or was there a period without treatment before it got worse?

My 10 visits was for my chronic whiplash pain and then I had 4 more visits right after that for the costochondritis. It fixed it at the time but not forever. That was 37 years ago so details are fuzzy but I had many more flair ups over time triggered by physical activity or stress. I’m very careful about what I do and it has been much better the past 20 years. My ribs are always tender but not the paralyzing upper chest and upper back pain I had from flair ups.

Do you have trouble lying down in bed? For 30 years I couldn’t be in bed more than 6 hours before pain set in but it would go away within 30 minutes of getting up. That issue has been better since I stopped working 5 years ago so stress relief. Whenever I’m in the hospital it’s a major issue and I have to move to a chair.

What does your osteopath have to say about it all?

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