Trouble taking a deep breath? Increased pain when coughing or sneezing? Sharp pains in the upper or mid back that do not seem to go away? Pain that may mimic a heart attack? These are all common symptoms that may be due to pain in the ribs.
How can I have pain in the ribs?
Rib misalignments are more common than you may think. In my practice, it is now one of the more frequent complaints that come through the office. Many times patients do not know what the problem is or have even gone to the ER or an urgent care first. Seeking out advanced care is not always a bad thing as the symptoms can mimic heart conditions as well as other more serious problems.
What can pain in the ribs feel like?
- Deep, sharp pain in upper to mid back and shoulder blade
- Trouble catching breath
- Increased pain with deep breath, cough, sneeze
- No real comfortable position
- May refer alongside the side ribs or into the chest
Rib pain can rear its head in many different ways. Most commonly the pain is described as a deep, sharp pain in the midback and/or shoulder blade. The pain can be worsened with a deep breath, cough, or sneeze. It is usually pretty constant and uncomfortable. Sometimes the pain can refer along the side and even into the chest.
How can a chiropractor help with ribs that are out of alignment?
If the problem is indeed a rib misalignment, a chiropractor may be able to adjust the rib back into place just like we do with stuck spinal joints. The rib has a posterior attachment just off the spine. In most cases, we can palpate the rib head that is out of place and get it adjusted back into the proper position. I will warn you however that it can be a bit uncomfortable for the rib to go back in, but once adjusted many patients may notice some immediate relief. The area can be sore for several days after being realigned, but it is usually a different pain then the deep sharpness that it was.
Just like any joint condition, it may take several visits for the rib to get back into place, much less stay there. Chiropractic care and massage can usually be quite effective. As usual, I recommend icing the area possible to help with the excess inflammation and swelling that occur when the rib is out of place. 15 minutes on the area then 45 minutes off. Do this a couple of times a day to help with the pain and soreness. Also, drink lots of water to help the body get rid of all the junk that had built up and released.
What can cause pain in the ribs?
Rib pain is tricky, and there is usually not just one cause. Often it may come out of nowhere and be building up over time. Some common causes include:
- Poor hunched posture (desk job, staring at computers and devices)
- Lots of coughing or sneezing
- Awkwardly bending or lifting
- Yardwork such as raking or shoveling
- Prolonged sitting (driving, computer, etc.)
For more information on rib misalignments and subluxations CLICK HERE!
If you are looking for a chiropractor near you, look no further than Express Chiropractic of Frisco. We provide chiropractic care to the Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Prosper, The Colony and other local communities.
As always you never need an appointment, and we are open late most days and Saturdays!
Stop on by and we look forward to seeing you soon!