Rib sprain is painful - What is it?

Have you ever moved suddenly and felt a sharp, shooting pain in your back? Or maybe a simple cough or sneeze triggered intense pain between your shoulder blades? You could be dealing with a rib joint sprain.

The rib cage has several joints, and any one of these can become strained, leading to pain that might be sharp and intense or more chronic and persistent. These aches, especially the stubborn knots in your back that resist massage, can often be traced to a rib sprain.

The joints connecting your ribs and vertebrae are known as the costotransverse joint (where the rib attaches to the transverse process of the vertebra) and the costovertebral joint (where the rib attaches to the vertebra body). There's also a front chest joint called the costochondral joint, connecting your sternum and ribs via a cartilage section, allowing movement for breathing.

Most rib sprains impact the costotransverse and costovertebral joints. Activities involving excessive twisting, lifting, arching, or bending can strain these joints, causing damage to the joint capsule and cartilage, leading to inflammation.

A rib sprain can be excruciating, often presenting as sudden, sharp pain that may radiate along the rib towards the outside of the rib cage or even to the chest.

Chiropractic Treatment for Rib Sprains

Chiropractic care can play a significant role in managing rib sprains. Techniques like mobilisation and gentle manipulation focus on reducing muscle spasms and improving mobility in the thoracic spine and rib joints. Your chiropractor may also use taping techniques to relieve pressure on the affected joint, offering pain relief and stability.

In addition to in-office treatments, combining chiropractic care with at-home management—like using ice or heat, stretching, and maintaining good posture—can accelerate healing. Recovery from a rib sprain typically takes about 2-3 weeks, although in some cases, full recovery may extend up to 6 weeks.