Do you ever have a sharp pain in your side when you breathe? Do your ribs ache after you sit for a long period of time?
Ribs are actually very mobile little bones. In fact, they’re supposed to roll around when you breathe just like venetian blinds open and close; however, if you’ve injured your ribs through impact or even by breaking one, it’s likely that you have scar tissue or tight, restricted intercostal muscles – the tiny muscles between your ribs – that are causing you some discomfort.
Also, your ribs are plugged into your spine in the back. They articulate with the vertebra, so every time your spine moves (which is often, by the way) your ribs move, too. Therefore, if you have tightness and pain in your ribs, it directly affects your spine and back. Alleviating tight, twisted ribs will also help relieve back and neck pain.
Check out this video for a simple walkthrough of releasing tight or twisted ribs and their surrounding tissue.
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Thank you again. I learned more about my ribs with your short video than anywhere else. Please let me know how long I should do the myofascial massage to the rib and in between, and how often a day? Thank you again!!!!
You’re welcome, Aida! There are no hard and fast rules for how long/how often. You can massage the rib until you feel it release, i.e. the pain dissipates. How often is up to you. Once a day is fine, or more if you find it getting sore and achy regularly. Just don’t go bruising yourself! Too much work isn’t better, it’s just too much.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR A COUPLE MONTHS NOW. AREADY WENT TO A DR AND HAD XRAYS AND THEY DIDNT EVEN FIND ANYTHING. I PRETTY MUCH DIAONOSED MY OWN PROBLEM, WHICH IS INJURING THE INTERCOSTAL MUSULES. I HAVE BEEN IN EXTREME PAIN, I AM TAKING IB PROPHIN EVERY 4 HOURS. MY QUESTION IS CAN HEAT OR COLD PACKS WORK FOR PAIN? CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN HELP THIS EXTREME PAIN IVE BEEN HAVING?? THANKS
Typically heat will relax muscles and increase blood flow whereas ice calms inflammation and constricts capillaries. If you want some natural alternatives to the ibuprofen you could read this or this. Hopefully that will give you a few options to get more comfortable while your body heals.
Thanks so much for the response, I am going to try the things you suggested. Thanks again, Kathy