Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Ribs

My ribs are inflammed and killing me at the moment, I stretch, go to Osteo on a regular basis, I'm into surfing which is great for the condition, on the drugs of course but can't seem to shake the rib pain, seems like the more I try and stretch it out it makes it worse! any tips are appreciated :-)

Physiotherapy

i'm recently learning all kinds of things can go wrong with the ribs, things i wasn't even aware of. now learning that a lot of my rib pain is due to subluxation of the ribs, a chiro is doing something called active release technique that is helping a lot. since i have degeneration to my spine as seen on MRIs, he won't align my spine, but what he's doing for my ribs is heavenly; who knew.

but you're very active (with the surfing) so i doubt you have this sort of problem, though i could be wrong.

earlier on in my spondy, had some triggerpoints between the ribs, in the intercostal tissue, taking care of those helped tremendously at the time.

but yeh, my ribs are always a bit sore, usually tolerable, but enough soreness that if they are pressed on, like when an ultrasound is done, have to use a muscle relaxant to make it less painful. and i know its the arthritis and not "normal" cause when i had the GI workup including US back in the early 90s, that exam was not painful in the least; now can't be done without a muscle relaxant.

a daily muscle relaxant is probably the thing that helps my ribs the most. that and hot baths and showers, usually a shower each morning and bath right before bed. and when sitting in the recliner, i put a heating pad on low, that's helpful too.

and for all the women out there, bras were killing my ribs, so i just kind of gave up on them, ribs are much happier now.

Thanks Sue, appreciated I'll look into other ways of dealing with it for sure.

My ribs haven't really be an issue before up until now and I'm feeling the condition continue to make its way up my spine and neck, not nice as you know but must truck on!

Just

Quote: "...and for all the women out there, bras were killing my ribs, so i just kind of gave up on them, ribs are much happier now."

Sure so agree with that! I tend to use a strappy underneath clothes, especially when wearing sweat shirts, thinner tops, blouses and jumpers (this last, v. revealing!) and IF one can find ones with the built in uplift section, all to the good - diff to find though, and, of course, always depends on 'fashion' of the moment ('think' that those strappies are beginning o go out of favour ) Nuisance, as 'with' the built in support, one was spared the embarrassment of showing one's anatomy (!) and, bobbling about... )

But any/all constriction on the rib cage is horrible. And don't you just *hate the 'constant' ache of the rib cage - wretched whn breathing. Sigh. (Mine's bottom right section and around to middle of back. Yuck. Spondy monster )

It helps me to get into the deep end of the pool and dangle around while holding on to a float "noodle". A particular stroke that makes my ribs feel better is the elementary backstroke , though not quite as energetically as this little kid. Sorry your ribs are hurting.

Some things I learned from physical therapy seem to really help me.

1)do deep breathing exercises. If you lie on your back and take as deep of a breath as possible (painful, really fill those lungs) then they expand upward in your chest area. Roll onto side and do the same thing. They expand on opposite side. Do all four sides of you everyday. I'm not sure if this can prevent rib fusing or maybe prolong it, but it sure helps me.

2)my pt has me lie on stomach and he pushes on all ribs. They should be flexible. If they are not, he works on them until they are. painful, yes at first. The PT taught my hubby how to do this to me at home. Hubby is not as aggressive but it decreases the # of times I have to get PT.

3)roll around on a foam pt roller like this . It's 3 feet long and 6 inches in diameter. If you put that under you, front or back, and roll around, it is another way to keep those ribs flexing. Painful, yes, at first until they get moving. My back cracks and pops with this, and it feels pretty good.

Good luck.
-Donette

http://www.google.com/products?q=optp+roller&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=ekWzTMD_M8L1nAfd5oXuBQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=image&resnum=3&ved=0CDsQzAMwAg

Yes. Those are they, sponge type rolls - Pilates refers.

Sue, you were asking me about them, well, Donna has posted the link to the back exercise rolls, exactly like that 'smile'.

I hate em - make me aqueal like a stuck pig IF I try to use em, so, I don't!

thanks donette and molly,

yes, that's the roller that i just bought. laying on it, feel like i'm gonna fall off, its so high! LOL! rolling up and down on it, yes, painful, but doing it.

must say the chiro is really fixing those ribs quite nicely. still a bunch of work to do, but progress can be seen / felt. too much sitting the other day to work, but the pain not near what it had been before, and i could undo it easier too.

yes, molly, i have some of those camisoles too for when i need them. very comfy, yes.

Molly, you crack me up the way you say some things... lol... bobbling about... hehe

Must say, this is the only time being on the smaller side has made me feel like one of the lucky ones! Oh the things to be thankful for on thanksgiving. haha