Slipping Ribs

[oxymoron]

Hi Bill.. I have been struggling with a most painful back/side problem for the last 4-5 weeks and I'm wondering if I have 'slipping ribs'. My left side/left lower back are affected. I have a point on my back lower ribs (I think it's rib #11?) that is very painful, and when I move in certain ways I feel 'clicking'. All the muscles down the left side are quite tender. Things that really bother it are lying on my opposite side (get a lot of cramping in the left side) and sneezing/coughing or deep breathing.

It's most painful in the morning and improves with movement.

I have been through a course of ART (they were focusing on my QL) but it really did not help. I'm not sure what to do next..

[Bill Hartman]

Can you be more specific when you say the muscles down the left side?

How did it start?
What makes it worse?
What makes it better?

Need more info.

Bill

[oxymoron]

Hi Bill - sorry for the delay, I've been on holiday. The good news is that the pain is greatly decreased and is nearly gone. After I posted I went on a system of tons of icing, Advil and not sleeping on my sides for several weeks and it seems to have done the trick.

The pain radiates from the left side of the lower ribs on the back and goes down diagonally to all the muscles that go into the side area to attach to the iliac crest(?? not sure if I have that right).

1. How did it start?

I don't remember 'doing' anything that would have started it - my theory now is that I may have damaged some tendons or ligaments in my lower ribs area with over-zealous use of medicine ball rolling. I certainly was doing quite a bit of it around the time this all started up.

2. What make it worse

Sleeping on either side seems to make it worse, and sneezing/coughing was terrible at one point. I'd have to say that ART and stretching also seemed to make it worse

3. What makes it better

As above, icing, Advil and not sleeping on either side seem to have helped it a lot. It's a very faint ache now.