Rib Pain Treatment in Sun Prairie
Uncomfortable, if not painful, and sometimes alarming, rib pain can make breathing or moving difficult. While rib pain can arise from various causes, chiropractic care offers an effective, noninvasive solution for many cases. Whether your pain is related to posture, muscle strain, or even rib misalignment, getting relief often begins with proper assessment and treatment.
What Are the Common Causes?
According to Dr. Ager, rib pain can result from multiple factors, including:
- Excessive coughing or sneezing
- Twisting the body (e.g., while golfing)
- Trauma, such as a fall or sports injury
- Poor posture or awkward sleeping positions that affect rib alignment
A misalignment, where the ribs move out of place, is a common cause of rib pain. This can lead to discomfort, muscle tension, and even difficulty breathing deeply.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
When misaligned, ribs place additional stress on the surrounding muscles, making everyday activities challenging. Dr. Ager can assess your rib alignment and use gentle adjustments to realign them, allowing for quicker healing. Manual adjustments or the use of an Activator tool are effective methods to restore proper rib function and alleviate pain.
Why Posture Matters
Poor posture, especially while sitting for extended periods, can contribute to rib pain. That’s because slouching places extra strain on your thoracic spine and ribs, making them more prone to misalignment. Strengthening core muscles and improving posture through chiropractic care and specific exercises can prevent future rib pain episodes.
Identifying When Rib Pain Could Signal a More Serious Condition
Rib pain could also be a sign of something more serious, like heart or lung issues. To safely address this, we always take steps to rule out any cardiovascular concerns. Dr. Ager may check vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse, and perform palpation to assess the tenderness of the rib. While finding a tender rib may not completely rule out a cardiovascular problem, it often contributes to chest pain.
In many cases, a rib misalignment or spinal issue can interfere with the normal function of the cardiovascular system. By addressing these misalignments, we can help relieve pain and potentially restore normal function. However, if we suspect any cardiovascular issues, we’ll refer patients to the appropriate medical professionals for further evaluation.
The main treatment for a rib injury, whether it’s a fracture or a muscle strain, is simply rest. However, resting can be challenging because the ribs and surrounding muscles keep moving as the patient breathes. To avoid pain, one often changes posture or position, which can lead to misalignments in nearby joints, like the spine or other ribs. We can help by adjusting these surrounding areas, which can improve nerve function and promote healing, making the patient more comfortable.
Take the First Step to Relief
Rib pain doesn’t have to keep you from living your best life. Book an appointment at Ager Chiropractic Wellness Center for a comprehensive chiropractic evaluation and start breathing easier again!