# So I Have a Broken Rib. Is there really nothing to do about it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 25, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852 "2003-01-25T13:04:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/21 "2003-01-27T13:08:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Murcielago \* > \*\*To ease some of the breathing difficulty (which lasted about a month for me), I learned to use my stomach muscles to push air out rather than use muscles around the chest to pull air in. Someone else can probably explain this better than I, but the idea is to expell the air by contracting the abs and to allow air back in by relaxing them. > > Hang in there, Anthracite, it does get better. \*\* This is a good idea. Try to breath using your diaphram instead of your lungs. It takes a lot of getting used to, but it might help ease the pain. Other than that, unfortunaly I can’t give you any other helpful advice. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon. ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/22 "2003-01-27T14:01:45Z")
I third the stomach breathing! It does take a little getting used to, but it can really help, and gives your ribs a bit of a rest, especially as I felt I was giving myself compensatory injuries in the muscles on the other side of my chest. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/23 "2003-01-27T14:20:30Z")
Back in October, I broke my elbow and half-a-dozen ribs, so I sympathize (empathize?). Sneezing is the worst; coughing not so bad. When you know you have to sneeze, **hug yourself tightly around the ribs** , and that will keep them from spasming too much when you sneeze. Wrap a big ol’ heating pad around yourself when you can, but don’t fall asleep with it on! Now for the bad news—expect to be in pain for at least six weeks, maybe a little longer . . . It _will_ get better! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/24 "2003-01-27T14:49:15Z")
Falls With A Fist, I’m afraid you’ll find that simply drawing a breath to sneeze can cause enough pain to actually cancel the sneeze mechanism. So sorry about your accident. Dances With Tatonkas ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/25 "2003-01-27T15:51:24Z")
Ha—you should be so lucky! I had a collection of broken ribs, and did a _lot_ of sneezing. “Achoo—ow! Achoo—ow!” Just hug tight till it blows over. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/26 "2003-01-27T17:07:27Z")
In addition to other excellent advise here, I’d like to add that trying to sit up while you sleep, will make it easier on you. You wont turn around so much, and the pain is not so severe. Some people can do this and if you’re one of those who easily falls asleep sitting upright, try it. The six weeks mentioned here is a tad optimistic, IMO. For me, it took ten weeks to get to the point of discomfort-but-not-pain. Sorry to hear about this. Cracked ribs are not so dangerous, but hurts like hell. Also, It might be a couple of years before everything is finally in place. I Cracked my ribs in April -00. This summer, when I was on a check-ip, I mentioned in passing to my doc that when I touch the general area where the ribs cracked, I can almost feel a little bumb. She said that when it heals, it can take a long time for all the bones to resume their normal shape and position, but not to worry about it. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/27 "2003-01-27T18:19:24Z")
I just want to let you know that I do appreciate all of the suggestions. Many of them have helped to reduce the pain quite a bit. Overall, I need to get well again, and that doesn’t look like it’s happening, so I hope the rib doesn’t end up not healing. I had a broken jaw that took a year to heal, and it didn’t set properly. I still wake up with pain from it nearly every day, more than…20 years later? Wow. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/28 "2003-01-27T18:22:13Z")
And for giving lectures - get someone to bring in a lazyboy and give forth your instuction while in a semi-prone position. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/29 "2003-01-27T20:24:52Z")
Just to add a data point: I had a broken rib a while back. It was done on purpose during surgery to give the doctors access to my lung. (Chronic recurrent pneumothorax. Long story.) It hurt pretty bad for a little over a month, but then after that the only time I noticed it was when it “clicked” on an inhalation. Apparently, because of where it was or how they cut it or something (not clear on the details), it took a very long time to heal, and if I twisted my torso just right and took a deep breath, I could feel it click inside me. Very weird. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/30 "2003-01-27T23:38:54Z")
If you feel a sneeze coming on take your index finger, in a horizontal position, and press it on that part of your face between the nose and mouth (don’t know the name for it). Pressure on the nerve there scotches the sneeze impulse very effectively. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/31 "2003-01-27T23:59:31Z")
my uncle got a rib broken in three places-the doctor told him to keep out of those places. (right, right! all the problems in the world are caused by me!!) ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852/32 "2003-01-28T02:21:00Z")
In order for us to be able to laugh at your misfortune, you must at least tell us how the break happened. Cripes!! I had a broken rib also. You will find that once something hits the floor it tends to stay there for some time. I got good at picking stuff up with my feet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-a-broken-rib-is-there-really-nothing-to-do-about-it/150852.md?page=1)