How to Heal Slipped Ribs Without a Doctor

Slipping rib Syndrome (also called tietze's syndrome or Chostochondritis) happens when the joints that attach your rib cage to your sternum and back bone are somehow knocked out of place. After this injury has happened once, the ligaments that hold the joint together get stretched and it becomes easier for the rib to slip out of place again.

What Causes Slipping Rib Syndrome?

Slipping Rib Syndrome is considered to be uncommon. It is caused by uneven trauma to the body: being tackled from the side in football, getting hit in a car accident (especially if you are twisted or looking over your shoulder at the time of impact), violent coughing, uneven lifting of heavy objects. It can also be caused by surgery to the chest cavity. I think that mt slipping ribs was caused by carrying my too-heavy, poorly fitted backpack on one shoulder throughout high school. (For more information, please read my article on fitting and carrying backpacks).

What does Slipping Rib Syndrome feel like?

Slipping Rib Syndrome is characterized by a sharp pain between your shoulder blades or at the front of your chest. The feeling is like you can't catch your breath or like you are having a panic attack. I always felt like I needed to stretch out my upper back, but when I did stretch, the pain got worse. The symptoms of slipping ribs feel very similar to having a heart attack. This is very serious. Please go to a doctor for an official diagnosis and to rule out a cardiac problem.

How Slipping Rib Syndrome is treated.

The main treatment for slipping rib syndrome to use anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the pain. Chiropractic treatment may help restore the slipped rib to its natural location. Physical therapy is useful for strengthening the muscles that hold the ribs into place. In extreme cases, surgery may be suggested to shorten the stretched ligaments. Natural medicine approaches the treatment of slipping rib syndrome with prolotherapy which is basically creates a mild inflammation in the ligaments to encourage a healing reaction.

How I healed myself of Slipping Rib Syndrome.

I started visiting the chiropractor over 6 years ago to fix my back pain. He would always adjust my back, but within a week of an adjustment, I would be having pain and difficulty breathing all over again. I started scheduling weekly visits with the idea that my tight muscles were actually pulling my back out of alignment and hoping that more frequent adjustment would "re-train the muscles"

After 6 years and thousands of dollars spent, my chiropractor mentioned during one adjustment, "You have a rib out of place." He popped it back into place and immediately I felt the difference. Within 3 days I was in pain again so I started researching "Ribs out of place." It was only then that I discovered slipping rib syndrome. With all the symptoms matching, I knew I had found my answer, but I didn't like the treatment options.

I formulated my own at home treatment for slipping rib syndrome and after 4 weeks, my back pain was gone.

1. I learned to slip my ribs back into place on my own.

For healing to occur, a slipped rib needs to be put back into place quickly after it has gotten out of joint. I could have scheduled an urgent chiropractor appointment each time I started having pain again, but I figured out how to pop my ribs back into place on my own.

I found two methods that work for popping my ribs back into joint. The first is to cross my arms in front of my chest and grab my sides with my hands. Then I give myself a big bear hug squeeze. This works for slipped ribs in both the front and the back. The second method I have found for popping my ribs back into place is to do the yoga move rolling like a ball. I lay on the floor, wrap my hands around my knees and roll up on my shoulders, then back down to a seated position. I repeat this move until I stop hearing things cracking and crunching in my back (this is very quiet crunching).

2. I stopped side sleeping.

After my last chiropractor visit, I noticed the pain came back after sleeping on my side. This follows the idea that ribs slip out of place when they are put under uneven pressure. I started sleeping on my back and if I needed to shift positions I switched to tummy sleeping. Every night when I went to bed, I was laying on a heating pad on medium with a 2 hour auto-off setting. Applying heat to an injury helps promote blood flow which encourages healing.

3. I stopped using a pillow.

This was the hardest step for me to adjust to, but I had to stop using a pillow. Having the head pushed forward can increase the pain of slipped ribs. I rolled up a hand towel and laid it under my neck for support, but my back and my head were on the same surface.

After 4 weeks of doing these three things, I have been pain free for several months! I have started using a pillow again. (I use a contour neck pillow like Tempurpedic sells rather than a standard puffy filled pillow). I have only had one relapse and that was after several nights of side sleeping.

After over 6 years of pain with every breath, I can't describe how wonderful it is to say, I am healed.

Disclaimer: This article on Slipping Rib Syndrome is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For your situation, please seek the advice of a qualified medical professional.

Sources:
http://www.caringmedical.com/conditions/Slipping_Rib_Syndrome.htm