Rib Pain

Rib pain can be sharp, dull or achy. It is typically felt at or below the chest and above the navel on either the right or left side. Rib cage pain can occur after an injury or without any noticeable cause. Rib cage pain can be cause by a number or things, such as a rib fracture, an injury to the chest, inflamed rib cartilage or a pulled muscle. With this type of injury, the pain may occur immediately or it can develop slowly. If you experience unexplainable rib pain, you might want to talk to your doctor as it couldn’t be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

This type of pain may exist without any movement or you may notice a sharp pain when breathing in or trying to move into a certain position.

Make sure to contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Severe pain when breathing in or moving you body into a specific position
• Difficulty breathing
• Pressure or pain in the chest

Treatment of rib cage pain can include ice and over-the-counter pain medication.

Health Line (2014). Rib Cage Pain. http://www.healthline.com/symptom/rib-pain