Wellness

[jeanlake]

Thank you, John. Boy, I'm glad I didn't fracture a rib. The pain described on this thread sounds terrible. I'm just now able to breathe deeply without sharp pains. Sleeping is a pain when I roll over wrong - but improving each day. I modified my workout, leaving the arm strength training alone for a few more days. This seemed to be the irritant the next day.

[hckynut]

On 9/13/2014 bigsister said:

The only thing that may help is to wrap your rib cage. A lot of the pain comes from moving and taking breaths. Wrapping the ribs should lessen the pain when you inhale.

Hi bigsister,

Just want to mention that wrapping can do some harm if not done correctly and at in opportune times. My doctors told me that wrapping them before sweating while exercising can contract the wrap and interfere with blood flow in different parts of the body. He told me it might feel a little better, but in the long run it did little to speed up recovery. That is when he told me not to ever wrap them during a time when I was skating or running.

Wanted to put this out there so others would know that it can be a risky venture to wrap yourself at certain times, and it is never good to wrap too tightly.

Like everything else, it is always best to consult with one's treating doctor before doing anything not advised by her/him.

[Campion]

Did this to myself in the summer. Smacked right on the floor, mopping (now I wear heavy running shoes with treads, slippery floors are not my friend!) Seems to bruise a rib and maybe tear an intercostal muscle.

It took 8 weeks. Yep. That long. I went on a huge trek of a vacation, hiked around some old cities and it was painful mostly in bed. Standing, I was ok. It sucked but it eventually went away completely. I think the area does not get a lot of circulation so it takes longer for the healing.

[sidsmom]

I developed a large hematoma @ my point of contact (under arm-bra strap area). Taking deep breaths was difficult, but luckily I was recovering from knee surgery @ the same time...but when I got back to light indoor cycling, it hurt like a MUTHA! 6-8 weeks is about right w/ ouch pain.

Fast forward...a year/half later...my Rolfer was working my shoulder & happened upon the Point of Contact where my hematoma was. Didn't hurt, but he asked. Started working that area...he released something enough I saw stars!! Shoulder loosen up immediately.

Injuries have memory!

[LilacTree]

My two lowest ribs on each side have been ""floating"" ribs since my teens. I have often put them out by just bending over. I would then have to lie on my back and massage them (sometimes it was only one) back into place. Then they would be sore for a couple of weeks.

~~

[Madisson]

Everyone's 11th and 12th ribs on each side are "floating ribs." It is totally normal.

Bruised ribs, separated ribs, or fractured ribs are all extremely painful. I have had that experience three times. The first two weeks are absolutely miserable. Then it feels somewhat better. I'd be very careful working out.

[LilacTree]

On 9/17/2014 Madisson said:

Everyone's 11th and 12th ribs on each side are "floating ribs." It is totally normal.

Bruised ribs, separated ribs, or fractured ribs are all extremely painful. I have had that experience three times. The first two weeks are absolutely miserable. Then it feels somewhat better. I'd be very careful working out.

Here's the difference with my floating ribs:

In some cases, a floating rib can cause problems for its owner. These ribs can slip out of position, putting pressure on internal organs, and they can also be broken as a result of trauma, causing considerable pain and putting the patient at risk for infection.

The disorder sometimes referred to as floating rib syndrome and better known as slipped rib syndrome occurs when a rib becomes dislocated, slipping out of its socket. Patients tend to experience considerable pain with this condition, which is usually a result of trauma, and it can be readily identified with a physical examination or medical imaging study of the area of interest. As with other rib injuries, the best treatment is usually partial immobilization, achieved by wrapping the ribcage tightly so that the rib cannot drift while it heals, but not so tightly that it cannot expand as the patient breathes.

[Madisson]

Ouch, Ford. That sounds painful!

I've fractured ribs before and also had separated ribs from injuries too. Not fun! Once, a chiropractor was pressing on my back and pushed my entire rib cage forward. I ended up in physical therapy for a month while they gently pushed my ribs back into place.

[LilacTree]

On 9/18/2014 Madisson said:

Ouch, Ford. That sounds painful!

I've fractured ribs before and also had separated ribs from injuries too. Not fun! Once, a chiropractor was pressing on my back and pushed my entire rib cage forward. I ended up in physical therapy for a month while they gently pushed my ribs back into place.

OMG, no, that never happened to me. Other than the chronic snapping and crackling of my ribs due to RA, when one of my ribs dislocates, I can usually lie down on my back and massage it back into place. Then it's extra sore for a couple of weeks. I cannot imagine the whole rib cage shoved forward. I don't now and never did use chiropractors. They can do nothing for the kind of pain I have from RA and osteoporosis.

I would like to experience acupuncture to see if that helps, but Medicare does not cover it and it's very expensive.