Chronic Pain in the Thoracic and Rib Areas
Since 2017, what initially presented as simple chronic pain in my lower back has evolved into a complex issue. Activities like sitting for long periods, driving, and maintaining certain postures would trigger discomfort in my back. I sought various treatments such as physiotherapy, exercises, and manual manipulation; these provided some relief briefly, but the relief was never lasting, leading me into a relentless cycle of pain and temporary respite. Over the years, the pain began to shift. While the discomfort in my lower back persisted, I soon found myself also struggling with discomfort in my mid-back, followed by stiffness in the thoracic region and pain in my ribs. Ultimately, the thoracic and rib pain became predominant, primarily located on the left side. It feels deep, often described as a pulling sensation accompanied by burning and tightness, as if something heavy is dragging down that side. There have been occasions when the pain feels like a tight band around my ribs, and I’ve experienced unusual sensations, including numbness around the mid-thoracic area (specifically, segments T5 to T9). As the situation progressed, the discomfort escalated further. Now, I deal with pain in my left shoulder blade, neck stiffness, tension in the upper traps, and frequent headaches. Although everything seems interconnected, no one has been able to clarify the underlying reasons for this extensive discomfort. Various therapists have noted tight muscles, knots, and trigger points, particularly on the left side, yet treatments yield only momentary relief. The pain consistently returns, which adds to the frustration. Throughout these years, I’ve tried an extensive range of treatment modalities, including physiotherapy, Pilates, massages, dry needling, cupping techniques, shockwave therapy, and strength training. While manual therapy occasionally alleviates the pain, it invariably reappears. Physical exercise sometimes offers improvement, but on other occasions, it exacerbates the situation. Imaging and scans have provided little insight, yielding no definitive answers regarding the cause of this significant discomfort. Recently, I consulted with pain specialists, receiving medial branch blocks and undergoing pulsed radiofrequency treatments, but to no avail—my condition remains unchanged. This leaves me feeling increasingly bewildered, questioning whether we are addressing the correct issues at all. Every physiotherapist I encounter echoes similar observations: heightened muscle tone, significant guarding, and asymmetry during flare-ups, especially in the tight quadratus lumborum, scapular, and thoracic muscles. I find myself trapped in a cycle of “managing” the symptoms without making real progress toward recovery. What complicates my situation further is the fact that this pain originally stemmed from my lower back and has since radiated, creating a multifaceted pain experience throughout my body. Presently, while the thoracic and rib discomfort is the most debilitating, I still grapple with flare-ups of lumbar pain as well. It feels as if my body has become accustomed to this pain, unable to forget it altogether. I am a 28-year-old female, measuring 167 cm and weighing 78 kg. I do not smoke, take no medications, and have a medical history that includes endometriosis and osteopenia.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 11:30:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing challenges you've faced with chronic pain. It sounds complex and frustrating, especially given the prevalence of your symptoms and the limited success you've had with various treatments. Your goal seems to be finding a more effective way to manage and potentially reduce this pain.
Main Points:
Your chronic pain involves discomfort in your lower back, thoracic region, and ribs, which has become complex over time. Despite various treatment attempts, relief has been temporary. Understanding the interconnected nature of your symptoms and managing stressors that might contribute to pain are essential next steps.
Explanation:
Chronic pain, especially when widespread and involving multiple areas, can result from several factors, including physical strain, posture, muscle imbalance, and even psychological stress, leading to a cycle that can be tough to break. The sensations you describe—pulling, burning, tightness, and numbness—suggest that muscular and neurological factors may play a significant role. Stress and anxiety can also amplify pain perception.
Next Steps:
-
Pain Management Plan: Work with a multidisciplinary pain management team if possible. This team may include physical therapists, pain specialists, and possibly a psychologist who specializes in chronic pain. Coordination of this team could provide a more comprehensive approach to address both physical and psychological aspects of your pain.
-
Physical Therapy Focus: Consider seeking a physical therapist who specializes in chronic pain and functional movement patterns. Focus on tailored exercises that address muscle imbalances and promote better posture, specifically targeting the thoracic and shoulder regions.
-
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Incorporate techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation into your routine. These practices can help reduce the perception of pain and may improve your overall well-being. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to be beneficial for chronic pain sufferers.
-
Keep a Pain Diary: Document your pain levels, activities, and any exacerbating or alleviating factors daily. This can help you and your healthcare team identify patterns or triggers, leading to more effective strategies over time.
-
Evaluate Pain Triggers: Take note of activities that exacerbate your pain and try to modify them when possible. If specific movements or postures trigger discomfort, explore ergonomic adjustments in your daily life (e.g., workspace setup, seating arrangements).
-
Nutrition and Weight Management: Given your history of osteopenia, consider discussing nutritional approaches that support bone health and general well-being. A balanced diet that includes adequate calcium and vitamin D might be beneficial.
-
Gradual Exercise and Activity Management: Engage in low-impact activities like walking or swimming, ensuring you listen to your body and avoid overexertion. Gradual increases in activity, rather than high-intensity workouts, may yield better results.
-
Regular Follow-Up: Reassess with specialists at intervals to evaluate progress and adjust treatments as necessary. Exploring new or adjunct therapies, like pain psychology, may also provide additional support.
Your journey can be complex, but with the right strategies and support, you'll be better equipped to find relief and manage your symptoms. Remember, it's essential to remain hopeful and patient throughout the process. Let me know if you have any specific questions or need more information on any of these suggestions.
Related Questions
Is This a Hemorrhoid or Something Different?
Greetings everyone, I'm a 24-year-old male weighing 82 kg, and I’ve noticed a small, pinkish growth at the edge of my anus that appeared last Wednesday. This bump doesn’t seem to be deeply rooted, is only mildly painful, and mainly causes an uncomfortable sensation when I cough or tense the area. Notably, I haven’t observed any pus, significant swelling, or fever accompanying this. Currently, I am on a regimen that includes sertraline, Bifilac (a probiotic), and omeprazole. It's worth mentioning that I had an abscess before—located in my abdominal area—and that experience was quite distressing. Because of this, I find myself feeling anxious and concerned that I might overlook any early indicators this time around. Interestingly, the same day the bump appeared, I also began experiencing nasal congestion and a general sense of fatigue, resembling mild cold or viral symptoms. Do you think this situation aligns more with the characteristics of a hemorrhoid or perhaps a skin tag (papule), rather than an abscess? What typical signs and sensations might accompany early-stage hemorrhoids? I apologize for any discomfort caused by this topic, but I’m not looking for a diagnosis, just some insight into whether this aligns with common issues. Thanks for your help!
Seeking Guidance on Recurring Pilonidal Sinus Issues
I'm a 17-year-old male of Indian descent, standing at 5'8" and weighing 103 kilograms, and I'm dealing with pilonidal sinus problems. My issues began when I noticed blood on the toilet seat; I initially dismissed it as perhaps an anal fissure. However, after four months, I visited a doctor who diagnosed me with a pilonidal sinus. My symptoms included an unpleasant odor and bloody discharge that often stained my clothing. Subsequently, I was placed on a surgical waiting list. By the time my surgery arrived, the situation had worsened significantly, making the procedure even more traumatic and painful than anticipated. The surgeon ended up removing more tissue than originally planned. During my recovery, I inspected the surgical site and discovered a noticeable indentation at the top with various irregular bumps extending down. The doctor assured me that these would eventually fade, but instead, they collected lint and hair over time. Fast forward a year, and I began to notice the same familiar odor again, filling me with anxiety about a potential recurrence. Now, as an 11th grader, I am under pressure to maintain good grades and cannot afford to miss school. Presently, my symptoms include the telltale smell, although I haven’t observed any discharge or developed any additional openings aside from the dimple left from my previous surgery. Before the operation, the infected sinuses extended close to the rectum, which is why I am concerned that a new pilonidal sinus may have formed in the same area. At this moment, I am free from pain but cannot shake the anxiety surrounding the reappearance of the odor associated with this uncomfortable condition.
Concerned About My Toes' Health
At 27 years old, I’m feeling overwhelmed about my foot condition. For over a decade, since I was 16, I’ve dealt with recurring athlete's foot, primarily between my last two toes on both feet. Despite my efforts to manage this issue with various creams, sprays, powders, and even discarding all my footwear to start anew, the problem persists. Now, I suspect I might be experiencing a nail infection. All of my toenails are fragile and don’t trim easily, and they seem to grow in an unusual manner. Particularly troubling is my big toe on both feet, which appears to have several layers of nails; it seems as if the nails detach from the base and grow upwards rather than falling off, resulting in a stack of nails. While my feet are not foul-smelling and there’s no discharge, I do notice some swelling, and occasionally, I experience pain while walking; it comes and goes. Recently, I observed that the area where my athlete's foot initially developed is now taking on a greenish hue. This has left me feeling quite embarrassed. Despite trying multiple treatments for athlete's foot and toenails, nothing has provided relief. I even reached out to my doctor, only to be informed that they don’t handle cases of athlete's foot. I am at my wit's end and genuinely concerned about what might happen to my toes. I would greatly appreciate any advice from medical professionals regarding my situation.
Navigating Treatment Challenges for Multi-Drug Resistant Bacterial Paronychia
In early January, I began experiencing redness and swelling around the nail bed of my right index finger. After about a week of worsening symptoms, I sought care at an urgent care facility, where I was prescribed a seven-day course of cephalexin, to be taken four times daily. Unfortunately, instead of improving, the infection progressed. After just two days, I reached out to an after-hours medical line, and the physician recommended that I visit the emergency room. During my ER visit, I was given an additional ten-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate, instructed to continue my cephalexin, and advised that my nail-biting habit might have contributed to the infection, likely stemming from a minor hangnail. Once I completed the cephalexin regimen, I returned to urgent care, where the attending physician lanced and drained the infection. He also prescribed doxycycline, although he neglected to test the drainage for bacterial culture. The following morning, I experienced significant gastrointestinal distress, prompting another visit to the doctor. They switched my prescription from doxycycline to Bactrim, reassuring me that I could continue my daily Pepcid alongside this medication, unlike with doxycycline. Additionally, I was to finish the rest of my amoxicillin-clavulanate prescription. After completing the Bactrim and amoxicillin-clavulanate, the drainage site showed signs of healing, with reduced swelling compared to its peak, though it remained noticeably red and slightly swollen. During a subsequent appointment with my primary care physician, I was advised to focus on soaking the area three times daily in hot Epsom salt water rather than resuming more antibiotics. However, after just two days of soaking without any medication, I observed renewed swelling and returned to the doctor. Upon reviewing the records from the drainage procedure, which indicated no pus had been noted, the physician suggested re-initiating treatment with Augmentin. Currently, after two days on Augmentin, I have noticed a slight increase in swelling and sensitivity. I have a follow-up appointment soon, but my feelings of frustration and concern are intensifying. I’m eager to know how I can better advocate for myself and if pursuing a culture of the bacteria remains an option. While the infection has been relatively mild so far, the apparent resistance to treatment raises fears of a potential escalation. Desperation has led me to consider extreme measures for resolution—possibly even surgical removal of the affected digit. Any supportive advice or encouragement during this moment would be greatly appreciated. In summary: A finger infection began in early January, cephalexin was ineffective, slight improvement with Augmentin, doxycycline was poorly tolerated, and while Bactrim and Augmentin together failed to completely resolve the issue following drainage, I’m now back on Augmentin and experiencing slight worsening. Comments contain relevant images.
Experiencing Neck Discomfort, Joint Sounds, and Numbness in Limbs While Running
I’m a 28-year-old weighing 150 pounds, and I've been dealing with a mild cervical hernia located between the C6 and C7 vertebrae, along with some arthritis and bone spurs. Next week, I am scheduled for an MRI, and I also have a follow-up appointment with a neurosurgeon. This all began about a year and a half ago during a metal concert, where I shook my head vigorously. Just two days later, I noticed significant soreness and discomfort in my neck, which has since been accompanied by a distinct crepitus—a wet crunching sound—each time I move my head. Ignoring it has proven quite challenging. Initially, my condition seemed to stabilize; however, during a recent exam period that required extensive studying, my neck began to feel hot and painful. I did my best to cope, but concentrating on math without referencing the paper was impossible. The second bout of discomfort was notably worse. I found myself studying intensely and under considerable stress. For the most part, my neck felt "okay," but I began experiencing rapid numbness and tingling in the arm I rested on, waking up twice with a completely dead arm. Just as I finished my exams, the situation deteriorated. I had also taken part in a sports test where I needed to run at speeds of up to 14 kph, and I didn't encounter any problems at the time. However, just two days after the running test, I went for another run and experienced tingling and numbness in both arms. It felt like I lost all sensation in my skin. Subsequently, after driving for an hour, I noticed that both my arms and legs were tingling symmetrically for a significant portion of the drive. Currently, I find it difficult to attend classes and concentrate due to the discomfort. My neck feels inflamed, and resting my arm leads to more tingling. I can’t comfortably look down at my tablet, so I’ve adjusted its angle, but I still feel heat and soreness—not quite pain, though. Driving has become unpleasant since turning my head causes my neck to heat up, but it remains a necessity. During the day, my limbs tend to start tingling quite easily. I’ve found that shifting my arms and legs, or changing my neck position, alleviates the sensation. Surprisingly, walking does not cause any issues. What do you think might be going on with me? Is there a chance for recovery? What questions should I consider asking during my neurosurgery consultation? Thank you for your assistance!