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INTERCOSTAL PAIN (INTERCOSTAL NEURALGIA)
Individuals can sprain any of the muscles in their body, including the chest muscles, which results in severe pain. Intercostal muscle sprains cause intense spasmodic pain and can also cause intercostal pain (intercostal neuralgia), which is known to be very unpleasant. The intercostal muscles play a very important role with regard to rib movement, for example, during respiration.
Intercostal and rib cage pain can be very bothersome, especially in winter when the respiration rate is higher. Winter is also the season for coughing and sneezing. In cold weather, heavy padded clothing puts greater pressure on the thorax, which can cause increased and even unbearable pain.
RECOVERING FROM AN INTERCOSTAL MUSCLE SPRAIN
Intercostal muscle sprains are classified as mild, moderate or severe. Mild sprains can heal in two to three weeks, moderate sprains will take approximately six to seven weeks to heal and severe sprains, in which there may be a complete rupture of the muscles, generally take a bit longer. With physiotherapy, it usually takes eight to ten weeks to make a full recovery.
SYMPTOMS OF AN INTERCOSTAL MUSCLE SPRAIN
- Sudden, acute and intense pain
- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
- Intense pain on palpation or on examination of the chest region and intercostal muscles
- Severe and constant pain in the chest wall
- Swelling and cramps (swelling is secondary to the subcutaneous hematoma or muscle inflammation)
- Shortness of breath (shortness of breath is secondary to the increase in pain intensity during inhalation)
- Stiffness of the chest
- Intercostal hematoma
TREATMENT FOR AN INTERCOSTAL MUSCLE SPRAIN
The first-line treatment for intercostal pain is analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication to relieve the muscle pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants are also prescribed for muscle pain and spasms. However, as with all sprains or muscle ailments, conservative treatment (osteopathy) is very effective in alleviating symptoms and accelerating healing. Instrumental therapy may be useful in eliminating inflammation, but is does not always resolve the problem.
CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FOR AN INTERCOSTAL MUSCLE SPRAIN
Conservative treatment starts with a comprehensive assessment by your physiotherapist or osteopath. These therapists are best able to pinpoint and measure the deficiencies and limitations resulting from an intercostal sprain. Once they have completed the assessment, they can develop an appropriate exercise program and treatment plan. Osteopaths can unblock the affected ribs using adapted and targeted techniques. They check and work on the dorsal vertebrae, as well as the cervicodorsal junction. Osteopaths will then focus on the visceral organs in the painful costal area.
After osteopathic treatment, relief is generally instantaneous and the related signs (e.g. difficulty breathing, cramps, muscle stiffness) subside in the days that follow.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR AN INTERCOSTAL PAIN & INTERCOSTAL NEURALGIA
Aside from osteopathy, physiotherapy and physiotherapy with an osteopathic approach, acupuncture and acupressure have shown promising results to hel relievce Intercostal pain and Intercostal Neuralgia. They serve mainly to reduce muscle stiffness and considerably decrease pain, which greatly helps with recovery and the resumption of normal respiration.
At Forcephysio, our team of physiotherapists, osteopaths and acupuncturists can provide immediate treatment. Our online appointment scheduling platform considerably reduces wait times, allowing you to recover much more quickly.
Contact us for more information about Intercostal Neuralgia : 514-225-9520