What Is the Fastest Way to Relieve Rib Pain?
Treatment for pain around the ribs and back depends on the cause.
Most of the time, a bruised or broken rib will heal on its own within two to six weeks. Home remedies to help relieve pain and speed healing of pain around the ribs and back due to broken or bruised ribs include:
Rest Stop activity that causes pain Protect the injured area Ice the affected area regularly to reduce swelling After two to three days, if swelling is gone, use a heating pad on low Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines Sleep sitting up for the first few nights if possible Breathe normally Walk around and move the shoulders to help you breathe Cough when you need to Avoid: Wrapping the chest with a bandage which could stop the lungs from properly expanding Straining or lifting hey objects Sports or exercise that causes or worsens pain Lying down or staying still for long periods SmokingTreatment for pain around the ribs and back due to costochondritis and Tietze's syndrome may include:
Rest Stop activity that causes pain Protect the injured area Ice the affected area regularly to reduce swelling Take over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Local lidocaine analgesic patch (Lidoderm) application Cortisone injectionsTreatment for pain around the ribs and back due to pleurisy (pleuritis) includes:
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pain relievers Corticosteroids Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that cause pleurisy Blood thinners to dissolve blood clots that cause pain Thoracentesis to drain pleural fluid from around the lungs Chest tube to drain the air in a pneumothorax or to drain infection Stopping medication that is causing the pain Never stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to your doctor