Rib Cage Pain

If you are experiencing rib pain, or rib cage pain you must first rule out cardiac problems, call 911 and get immediate attention. If you are not experiencing a cardiac issue there are several other issues that may be causing your issue, such as; osteoporosis, costochondritis (an inflammation in the cartilages where the ribs join the breastbone), pleurisy (swelling of the linings of the lung), broken ribs or bruised ribs.

Our bodies have twelve pair of ribs; ten attach to the spine and wrap around to attach to your sternum in the front of your chest, while the two lower pairs attach to the spine in the back only.  Your ribs protect internal organs, your lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen, from injury. Not surprisingly your ribs have a lot of nerve endings so when damage occurs, pain is significant.

Bruised Ribs
A blow to an unprotected rib cage can bruise the ribs. The treatment for bruised ribs is to rest them and apply ice until the pain is gone. You can continue activities if you use a pad to protect the ribs. This pad, made of strong plastic with an absorbent material underneath, looks like a flak jacket; it hangs on the shoulders and wraps around the rib cage. Several varieties are available in sporting goods stores.

Separated Rib
A severe blow to your rib cage can cause a rib separation, this is where the rib tears loose from the cartilage in the front.

Severe pain, usually toward the front of the rib cage will be felt, and it will hurt to breathe. When bend over or rotate your body, it is possible to actually hear a pop or feel a pop. Moving from a lying to a sitting position will be extremely painful. If you were to have someone place one hand on your back and the other on your breastbone and squeeze them together you will feel tremendous pain.

Broken Rib
The worst injury from a blow to the rib cage is a broken rib. The pain can occur anywhere in you rib cage depending on where the rib is broken. In many cases one broken rib may feel like several broken ribs, and in some cases it is.

With a broken rib will feel the same pain as with bruised or separated ribs, only the pain is more severe. You must be concerned about sharp ends of broken ribs and should have an x-ray done as soon as possible. Any excessive movement, or another blow to the area, can cause a sharp end to puncture your lung, sending you to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Pulled Rib Muscle
The muscle between each of your pair of ribs is the intercostal muscle, which is the muscle used in respiration, it may tear or pull because of overstress. This can happen to people as a result of a work, tennis, or golf injury or even can be caused by a sudden, violent motion like a car accident.

Armstrong Chiropractic has successfully treated many individuals in both Appleton and Menomonee Falls with rib cage pain pain. We perform a thorough evaluation and take the time to understand the source of your rib pain.  Once it is identified we treat the cause, not the symptom. If you're suffering from, bruised, broken or pulled ribs, find out how you can benefit from chiropractic care. Natural, drug free treatments provide effective rib pain relief and also improve general health throughout your body. If you or someone you know is suffering from low back pain take action, healing begins with one phone call!

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Contact Armstrong Chiropractic of Appleton

Phone: 920.882.3070
Fax: 920.882.3007
Email: drarmstrong@armstrongchiroclinic.com

Or contact us by mail:

Armstrong Chiropractic, LLC
2500 East Enterprise Drive Suite A
Appleton, WI 54913

Contact Armstrong Chiropractic of Menomonee Falls

Phone: 262-957-0655
Email: drarmstrong@armstrongchiroclinic.com

Or contact us by mail:

Armstrong Chiropractic, LLC
N48 W14170 Hampton Avenue
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051