Pectus excavatum-funnel chest?

Do any of you or your kids have this? My son does and it keeps getting worse. The chiropractor and doctor both said it's not something to be concerned about (because it isn't reducing lung/heart function) until he's a teenager then they might have to do surgery.

Honestly, it's freaking me out a bit. I'm sure he's going through a growth spurt right now and that's why it's looking so bad, but I'm a little worried. And I googled   you shoud NEVER google  

*not his picture, but as close as I could find to how deep his is, but his is equal on both sides*

My husband and my son have this. Not the severity of your sons. But my mother in law is a physio therapist and recommends to do upper body work outs to strengthen and it should come out.

She had him do chin ups, push ups, anything to do with arms like with that elastic. Have him hold a can of soup on a string and stick and do reps up and down.

Just strengthen up those upper muscles. Hope this helps.

Quoting Mom of Tristan and Rayah :" My husband and my son have this. Not the severity of your sons. But my mother in law is a physio therapist ... [snip!] ... hold a can of soup on a string and stick and do reps up and down. Just strengthen up those upper muscles. Hope this helps."

I've been thinking those things would help, just not sure how to get him to understand to do it.

He's 5 with autism and just now becoming quite verbal but it's a lot of echoing and not so much functional speech at this point. I don't know if I could get the point across to him  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" I've been thinking those things would help, just not sure how to get him to understand to do it. ... [snip!] ... it's a lot of echoing and not so much functional speech at this point. I don't know if I could get the point across to him  "</blockquote>




That's too bad. Well I'm hoping you can get him to do something for it cause it does work.

Quoting Mom of Tristan and Rayah :" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" I've been thinking those things ... [snip!] ... to him  "</blockquote> That's too bad. Well I'm hoping you can get him to do something for it cause it does work."

Might be able to convince him to do push ups. Put a candy on the floor and one dangled above his head lol

Both boys and I have it, it really is nothing to worry about unless he cant breathe. Ive seen cases where the sternum almost touches the spine!
Also muscle wont move bone so dont worry about exercises for that reason. Ive seen many drs and surgeons and specialists about it.

Quoting Punk Rock Princess {EBFT}:" Both boys and I have it, it really is nothing to worry about unless he cant breathe. Ive seen cases where ... [snip!] ... muscle wont move bone so dont worry about exercises for that reason. Ive seen many drs and surgeons and specialists about it. "

The chiropractor had told me they couldn't do anything unless they opted for surgery which wouldn't happen until late teens anyway.

He seems fine. I mean he jumps and runs like crazy, but every once in a while (this is JUST coming to me now) after he's running around he'll do like a fake cough and say "Coff mommy. Need doc-door"

I don't know if that could mean he's having troubles breathing, or he's just repeating a phrase or what. I wish I could communicate with him more   If I ask him if it hurts, he'll just say "It hurts" and echo me.....

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" The chiropractor had told me they couldn't do anything unless they opted for surgery which wouldn't ... [snip!] ... or what. I wish I could communicate with him more   If I ask him if it hurts, he'll just say "It hurts" and echo me....."

Yup sounds about right. I do have breathing issues but its pretty mild.