Mary had been feeling ill and didn't know what was causing her problems. She had been experiencing diarrhea for a couple of weeks and had no idea what could be causing her discomfort. She was scheduled to go on vacation soon and was getting concerned that she wouldn't feel well enough to enjoy herself.
Mary decided to schedule a massage with me to see if that might help alleviate her symptoms. Upon arrival, Mary explained her situation, and I began to examine her. While palpating her abdomen, I did not find any indications of pain but noticed some spasms as well as some soft tissue resistance on the left side. Startin with some soft soothing efleurage on the stomach, I began the "Sun Over The Moon" technique" and then continued on traversing the colon, gliding up the Ascending Colon, along the Transverse Colon, and down the Descending Colon. After several repetitions, my hands brushed up against the rib cage of my client and her face immidiatley indicated discomfort.
While examining the area, I noticed a mass over the left 11th rib at the costal cartilage attachment. This mass was not present on the right side of the body. It appeared to be inflammation or a dislocated rib. To get a more complete assessment, I had Mary lie face down while I palpated the 11th rib joint to the thoracic spine, where Mary also reported pain in the area.
Based on my findings, I recommended that Mary see a doctor as soon as possible to gain further evaluation to determine the cause of the mass and the extent of any injury. I also recommended Mary see a chiropractor to rule out a dislocated rib.
Mary set an appointment to see her doctor that day. After presenting to the doctor's office, Mary learned her discomfort was not caused by her allergy to fish but costochondritis, inflammation of costochondral junctions of ribs or chondrosternal joints of the anterior chest wall. The doctor recommended that Mary undergo further imaging to accurately diagnose her condition.
Though Mary was still feeling ill, she felt relieved that she knew the cause of her discomfort. She left the doctor's office with a follow-up appointment scheduled. The trip had been postponed until she fully recovered, but Mary felt grateful for the thorough examination given to her by the therapist and the insight gained through her doctor's visit.
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Michael Hale is a Neuromuscular Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Health Educator who graduated from National Holistic Institute (NHI) and International Sports Science Association (ISSA). He wholeheartedly believes that strengthening the body is equally as important as relaxing the body in order to reach homeostasis.
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