Rib Pain

There are many causes of rib pain. Here at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, we treat several patients with rib pain.

There is multiple causes of rib pain, this includes injuries such as bruised or fractured ribs, muscle strains. A vast cause of rib pain is inflammation to the cartilage that attaches to your ribs, this condition is called costchondrtis.

What does Costochondritis (rib pain) feel like?

Patients from Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, have presented with various types of pain that Costochondritis may present as . An acheing, sharp, pressure like pain. It is commonly on the left side of your chest, which can present as a heart attack. The pain you may be experiencing could increase with coughing, sneezing, pressure on chest, deep breaths. The majority of patients at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, pain is often worse where the rib cartilage attaches to your sternum. However it may also be where the rib attaches to cartilage further out from your sternum (middle of your chest).

What causes Costochondritis (rib pain)?

The causes of patients at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup can vary. Direct rib or chest injuries, chest infections, or small repetitive stress to the ribs over time such as- coughing, exercising predominantly using upper body, physically demanding work, are a few known causes. There may also be underlying conditions causing Costochondritis.

The main group of patients presenting with Costochondritis that we have seen here at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, is females in their 40’s and above.

Other most common causes of rib pain that we have seen at Logan Chiropractic and wellness in Joondalup include- Fracture to the rib, strain of the intercostal muscles (muscles located in-between each rib) and direct bruising to the ribs.

A rib fracture is very painful. The main causes of a fractured rib that we see at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup is from sports, car accidents and falls. Fractured ribs can be diagnosed through X-ray or other imaging such as MRI or CT scan. The symptoms that patients have experienced at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup with a rib fracture is increased pain with a deep breath, when pressure is applied to the injured area and with movement with the body. The rib fracture will heal by itself. In most cases it will take 6 weeks. The main application of treatment is pain control. At Logan Chiropractic and Wellness kiniseo-tape and gentle adjustments through the rest of the spine and icing the affected rib/ area, has been a beneficial way in assisting the recovery.

Intercostal muscles sit between each rib. At Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, most of the causes of injury to the intercostal muscles is when they are stretched or torn. The symptoms of intercostal muscle strain in the rib area include- tenderness, a sharp pain, aching pain. The pain tends to increase with deep breath, coughing or movement with the upper body. The main causes of intercostal muscle strain in the rib area, that we see at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, ranges from a fall, coughing, sports that requires a lot of twisting such as golf or heavy lifting. At Logan Chiropractic and Wellness we treat intercostal muscle strain with correcting spinal and ribcage misalignments that is contributing to the strain, soft tissue therapy and exercise therapy.

The other cause of rib pain we see at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup, is rib bruising. The ribs will present with discoloration, a lot of pain and difficulty breathing. The main causes of a bruised rib that we see at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup is direct force to the rib or repetitive strain to the rib cage. The chiropractors at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup treat a bruised rib with the dysfunction of the rib by realigning rib cage and spine. Advise on breathing techniques to assist inflammation and improve function.

If you are experiencing rib pain, contact our Chiropractors at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness in Joondalup. The experienced chiropractor will diagnose and treat your rib pain as required.