Subluxated rib causing breathing trouble?

Dear Dr. Jeff,

Maybe you can help.

My Mom has had trouble breathing for about 10 years.

At first they thought it was emphysema, but later ruled it out.

She was taken to the hospital last year with chest pains, only to find out her heart was fine.

On two occasions, she heard and felt a pop in her back in her scapula area on her left side. Each time this happened, her breathing opened up 100% perfectly. She breathed like there was never a problem.

As it stands now, after around 20 paces, she is gasping for air. On a recent vacation, we had to take her in a wheel chair to the plane.

My partner who has done bodywork for around 30 years suggested it might be a subluxated rib (slipped rib is the same?). This seems to make sense, given the "pop" and the instantly perfect breathing which then shuts down again a day or so later.

Any thoughts on this?

I found this page and she's had most of these symptoms, including carpal tunnel and chest pains:
http://w3.palmer.edu/makani.lew/articles/FirstRib.htm


Is there anything you'd suggest that may help her? It's really no way to live gasping for air just taking a few steps and I know there's a solution as it's opened up on two occasions, so it's not a lung issue.

Is there any Chinese Energetic Healing you'd suggest? Meridian work? Accupressure points? Other?

Thanks much,

Peter