An injury or medical condition typically causes pain around the ribs, with symptoms ranging from mild tenderness to intense cramps.
The ribs are supported by muscles and ligaments, such as intercostal muscles between each pair of ribs that allow the ribcage to expand when breathing in and contract when exhaling. These intercostal muscles allow your chest to expand when taking in air while contracting when exhaling out carbon dioxide from your lungs.
Is Your Rib and Back Pain a Sign of Something Serious?
Muscle Strains & Sprains
Intercostal muscles (intercostals) can become stressed or pulled when overexerting them, leading to discomfort around your ribs which is made worse with deep breathing or movement.
Rib cartilage that connects ribs to sternum/breastbone can become inflamed causing stabbing nerve pain known as costochondritis; certain illnesses and diseases like cancer, shingles or tuberculosis may also result in radiating back-to-chest discomfort
X-rays and blood tests can help healthcare providers diagnose sprains or strains. Initial treatments often include resting the injured muscle or limb, applying ice, wearing compression bandages to limit swelling when sleeping, elevating, and wearing compression bandages while at rest.
Surgery may be required in more serious cases. If your pain does not diminish after resting or you experience symptoms that could indicate serious health concerns – radiating or intense pain could indicate something more serious that needs medical attention immediately.
Degenerative Joint Disease
The upper and middle back, known as the thoracic spine, consists of 12 vertebrae connected by small ligaments known as intervertebrates that connect ribs to your sternum – a flat bone running down your center chest containing 13 vertebrae.
If your ribs are misalign with the sternum, this can cause discomfort and tightness. Furthermore, this makes breathing harder, leading to shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t breath properly.
Rib fractures may occur as the result of sudden movements or accidents, usually manifested as sharp, stabbing pain around or between ribs which worsens when moving, breathing deeply or rotating your body. If you experience such discomfort it’s essential to see a physician immediately as untreated rib pain could result in serious health consequences, including heart attacks.
Joint Irritation
Our bones connect at various points, which is often the source of discomfort. Joints in our ribcage and spine may become inflamed due to injuries or diseases.
The thoracic spine and ribs have an immense amount of activity taking place within them, from nerves to muscles and ligaments. Poor posture – such as that caused by laptops and sofa work – places an incredible strain on these areas, and can even lead to the ribs grating against each other or on the spine itself.
Sharp, intense pain can radiate from muscles into the back or chest area and be made worse with deep breathing, becoming even more intense by increasing oxygen consumption.
This could be life-threatening in those living with heart disease; hence it must be evaluated immediately. NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen can often provide temporary relief. In more serious cases steroid injections or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) procedures might provide more substantial help.
Muscle Spasms & Myofascial Pain
Rib pain may arise for any number of reasons and range in intensity from sharp, stabbing pain to dull ache. Coughing, weight-lifting or twisting movements are known to aggravate it further while long periods spent standing or sitting can exacerbate it further. Breathing cold air or sleeping in an upright position may also trigger flare-ups of this problem.
The rib cage consists of 24 curved bones on either side connected by cartilage to form a protective covering for organs such as the heart and lungs. When injured, pain may manifest itself both in the upper back area as well as chest area.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen can provide immediate relief from rib pain. Furthermore, physical therapy may strengthen muscles around your rib cage while improving flexibility and relieving discomfort.
Symptoms of Pain Around Ribs and Back
A variety of factors can cause pain around the ribs and back, offering a range of explanations for these symptoms:
- Muscle strain: Pain around the ribs and back can result from straining the back muscles.
- Rib injury: Incurring damage to the ribs can lead to pain in the ribs and back.
- Disc herniation: The presence of a herniated disc in the back can generate radiating pain affecting the ribs and back.
- Inflammation: Inflammation in the muscles or ligaments within the thoracic region can be responsible for pain around the ribs and back.
- Intercostal muscle strain: An injury that impacts the muscles between multiple ribs can cause sharp, localized pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone can produce discomfort in the rib cage.
- Pleurisy: An inflammatory condition affecting the linings of the lungs and chest can induce pain in the rib cage.
- Cancer: Rib cage pain or chest pain that intensifies with deep breathing, coughing, or laughter may signify the presence of lung cancer.
- Spinal bone spurs: Bone spurs in the spine can trigger pain in the back ribs.
- Fibromyalgia: A chronic pain disorder capable of causing widespread discomfort, including in the ribs and back.
If you are currently experiencing pain around the ribs and back, it is crucial to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause. Treatment options vary depending on the specific cause of the pain.
These treatments may involve initial application of an ice or cold pack, followed by heat therapy, rest with limited physical activity, pain medication for reducing swelling and pain, and splinting the affected area with a pillow to alleviate breathing discomfort.
Additionally, treatment may include the use of blood-thinning medication, which facilitates smoother blood flow through veins and arteries. Moreover, engaging in posture-improving exercises, stretching, and orthobiologic therapies can provide relief from rib and back pain.
It is important to seek medical evaluation if the pain persists or becomes severe, particularly if it impairs the ability to take deep breaths.
