Rib Pain

The rib cage plays an important part of our spine in that it protects many of the the vital organs of the thorax and provides structural support for the spine and shoulders. Many of the daily activities that we perform can have a negative effect on the individual ribs and rib cage as a whole. Pain in the ribs can be one of the most challenging ailments that our patients face. When there is a fracture or dysfunction in one or more ribs, every breath, cough, or sneeze can give substantial amounts of discomfort. Patients will usually describe their complaint as having a “rib out” and often have accompanying symptoms of pain including radiation along either side of the rib cage or in the front where the ribs meet the sternum. The source of these complaints can be from a variety of reasons including repetitive strain, recent trauma such as a fall or car accident, or a sports injury. Poor posture while standing and sitting can lead to mobility issues throughout the rib cage and even effect proper breathing as well. No matter what the cause of the rib pain it is often easily treated with conservative chiropractic care. In some cases a rib can fracture during a traumatic event. Rarely, such fractures can lead to a pneumothorax (or collapsed lung), internal bleeding, or other injuries. The doctors at Community Chiropractic Clinic will be able to determine in these cases if any further medical care is necessary utilizing physical examination and x-ray radiography to render a diagnosis and treatment plan.