Rib blockage - symptoms, causes and treatment

Rib blockages: what can help?

Rib blockages can be a very painful affair for sufferers. In addition, you affect natural movements enormously and thus complicate everyday life. It can be much easier to block the ribs, as it initially seems. This is especially true for the elderly and those who have an unhealthy posture. Find out here why.

contents

• Rib blockages: what can help?
• Rib blockade - what is it??
• Rib blockage due to joint wear
• Rib blockage due to injuries
• Special case: congenital misalignments
• symptoms
• diagnosis
• treatment
• Possible causative diseases

Rib blockade - what is it??

Our ribs (Costae) not only protect the chest and heart organs, but are also essential for upright posture. It is ideally supported by the ribs by their special arrangement. Namely, without the rib cage, the human would not have a sufficiently supporting bone portion which holds the upper body in its upright position. In addition, the ribs are also involved in breathing because they allow the thorax to lift and lower during the breathing process, allowing the lungs to expand sufficiently upon inhalation and then contract again upon exhalation.

The symptoms of a rib blockage can be very broad and often reminds the symptoms of a heart attack, which can cause significant panic in those affected. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

Overall, the human has 12 pairs of ribs and thus 24 single ribs, which extend from the thoracic spine in the back area towards the front of the body. About cartilaginous connectors of different sizes, the ribs are connected to the sternum and together with him form the rib cage, which give the curved rib bone its typical shape. As sternal, or real ribs (Costae verae) while the pairs of ribs 1 to 7 are called because there are only relatively small rib cartilage between them and the rib cage. The ribs are in this area so almost directly connected to the sternum, or go almost seamlessly into this.

The pairs of ribs 8 to 13, however, are also referred to as asternale or spurious ribs (Costae spuriae), because they do not connect directly to the chest, but either free in the upper body muscles - in the case of the rib pairs 11 and 12 - or as the pairs of ribs 8 bis 10 are fused with the so-called rib bow (Arcus costalis). The latter describes a relatively large cartilage complex in the lower region of the rib cage and forms the rib-shaped end piece to the only partially defined, lower ribs.

Through articulated connections, every single rib is anchored to the thoracic vertebrae of the spine. These small joints allow both a high degree of stability for posture, as well as a certain amount of room for maneuver, which is necessary for the breathing and for torsional or bending movements of the upper body. The ribs are therefore not rigid thanks to their articulated joints, which are also known as rib vertebrae joints (Articulatio costovertebralis), but flexibly arranged within a certain framework.

Now, like all other joints, the rib vertebra joints are unfortunately susceptible to unforeseen changes in position, so-called dislocations. This results in a displacement of the articular surfaces, which in consequence can trigger a rib blockage. The blockage usually leads to painful movement restrictions and may, depending on the situation, also affect certain organ functions, such as the respiratory process of the lungs. Despite the extremely unpleasant symptoms, however, all-clear can be given, because often is responsible for the blockage only an unfortunate torso of the upper body or too jerky movement. Also, a rib blockade does not constitute an emergency in itself and in many cases unblocks itself again. Nevertheless, the blockade can occasionally also point to grave health problems. The main causes are usually

• Wear at the vertebral joints
• or injuries in the area of ​​the ribs or the rib vertebrae joints.

Sudden respiratory distress is also a possible concomitant symptom of a rib blockage. (Image: nareekarn / fotolia.com)

Important: Persistent blockages should always be examined by a doctor and should only be solved by physiotherapeutically trained specialist staff instead of being self-controlled. For the return of joints to their original position is an art in itself and in case of wrong approach is to expect an aggravation of the blockade.

Rib blockage due to joint wear

As already mentioned, rib blockages are mainly triggered by two different mechanisms of generation, namely either injuries or signs of wear. Joint wear is the more common cause and can be caused by a variety of causes.

Wear disorders and age-related joint wear

The bone and cartilage substance in the joints decreases naturally with increasing age. It is therefore not surprising that the risk of rib blockages increases due to age. The same applies to wear disorders on the joints, such as the notorious arthritis. In addition to well-known joint incisions such as the knee or finger joints, it can also affect the joints of the spine, where it then significantly increases the risk of herniated discs and vertebral blockages.

Other diseases that are associated with joint wear and tear are bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The disease results in progressive bone loss, with the risk of disease increasing significantly, as in osteoarthritis in advanced age. Age-independent, the so-called osteochondrosis may also occur. The clinical picture is characterized by the fact that it comes with the natural conversion of cartilage to bone mass, which takes place during the renewal of bone and thus also of joint substance, massive disorders. The result is an abnormal increase in cartilage mass, which weakens the joint apparatus and thus favors dislocations such as the rib blockage.

Bad posture and bad stress

Especially in our modern times, more and more causes more wear reason as a cause of rib blockages. This refers to incorrect posture of the spine or the upper body and associated bad strain on the chest. In particular, sedentary activities and associated physical inactivity increase the likelihood of blockage of the ribs and rib vertebrae joints. The physiological monotony in the posture can contribute to a weakening or even to premature wear of the vertebral joints, which favors rib blockage due to joint wear already at a young age. The same applies to one-sided spine loading and the lifting of heavy loads over a longer period of time.

Miscarriages of computer work are widely used in practice and can lead to a variety of ailments, of which the rib blockage is just one possible example. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com)

Typical activities associated with such a degeneration process of the spine are:

• Working on the construction,
• clerical activities,
• computer work,
• warehouse worker,
• transport activities.

Danger: Obesity should not be underestimated as the cause of weakening of the thoracic spine and the associated consequences such as a rib blockage. Often the excess pounds are also associated with a reduced urge to move, which further increases the risk of such blockages. Because the flexibility of the vertebrae, as well as the stable fit of the ribs can only be achieved by a sufficient strengthening of the surrounding tendons, ligaments and muscles. Of course, this is missing if you do not move enough.

Rib blockage due to injuries

Similar to the herniated disc also rib blockages often occur in the course of an accident. This does not just apply to falls on the chest or spine. Even seemingly harmless accident scenarios such as a whiplash injury after a car accident or too jerky lifting of heavy objects can help the ribs get out of their position.

Also mentioned are rib blockages as a result of sports accidents or overtraining. Especially in the field of weight training, one often reads of persons who have repeatedly suffered a rib blockage. It must be clearly stated that training heavy weights for untrained people can become a major strain on the joints, which is why, if symptoms persist, light weights should be used. In combat and team sport rib blockages are also conceivable by physical confrontation with other athletes, such as when, as in football, a duel for the ball is discharged and a player due to which unfavorable falls to the ground.

Also overloads during sport can lead to rib blockades. (Image: alfa27 / fotolia.com)

Special case: congenital misalignments

In addition to wear-related and injury-related causes, congenital spine and rib malpositions may be responsible for degenerative processes or abnormal loading on the vertebral joints, and thus for blockage of the ribs. This is the case, for example, in the funnel chest (Pectus excavatum sive infundibulum). This is a malformation of the costal cartilages, which provokes a funnel-shaped depression of the sternum and ribs in the thorax and thus affects the stability of the vertebral joints. Other congenital deformities that increase the risk of rib blockage are spinal disorders, such as

• a kyphosis,
• a lordosis,
• Scheuermann's disease,
• a scoliosis.

symptoms

Rib blockages can bring numerous symptoms. Some of the symptoms may be far removed from the disease and are only associated with a possible rib blockade on closer inspection. It is therefore important to pay close attention to the discomfort of the body and possibly to review previous everyday situations in which it could theoretically have come to a shift of the vertebral joints.

Chest pain

In most cases, blockage of the ribs is conspicuous by sudden onset of one-sided chest pain, which continues in a belt shape at the level of the affected rib. The pain can be dull as well as drawing or pungent. In addition, it is possible that the pain radiates strongly and therefore also make themselves felt in completely different parts of the body that are not immediately associated with a rib blockage. For example, it often happens that sufferers with pain between the shoulder blades, along the neck region, in the lower back or even in the area of ​​the ventral sternal bone presented to the doctor and then relatively surprisingly a rib blockage is diagnosed as the cause.

movement restrictions

The pain very often results in limited mobility in the chest area. The affected feel a kind of lock on certain movements, which sometimes also an intensification of blockade-related pain with it. The movement restrictions may also extend to adjacent, not directly affected by the blockage rib fractures, which may affect even breathing. For a sufficient freedom of movement of the ribs, so that they can properly raise and lower, is necessary to ensure a responsive breathing mechanics.

Heart and breathing problems

The restricted breathing and the ventrally radiating pain can cause discomfort in those affected when they are left-sided. Because in this case causes a rib blockage quite similar symptoms as a heart attack. It is not surprising that patients quickly panic, because tachycardia without obvious explanation for the symptom is initially quite worrying. This is especially true if there are breathing problems in addition to the rapid heartbeat. On the one hand, they can be due to the pain. On the other hand, it is also conceivable that a blocked rib vertebra itself provides for the complication. Here, during the filling of the lungs with breathing air, so when inhaling, it comes to a restriction by the blocked rib, which triggers the oppressive sensation during breathing.

If the symptoms occur only during certain movements or when inhaling, the suspicion of a rib block is close. (Image: Lumina Images / fotolia.com)

Typically, a consulted doctor asks in such a case whether the symptoms occur independently of respiration and movement or can be influenced, for example, by changes in movement. If a heart attack is actually the causative factor for the symptoms, the symptoms of forced inhalation and exhalation and changes in the movement of the chest remain completely unimpressed. Whereas the symptoms of rib blockage can increase as a cause of deep inhalation, or increase or improve in motion changes in the chest. In case of doubt, the consulted doctor should always go out of the worst, until the opposite is proven, and initiate the diagnosis of a heart attack.

Neurological symptoms

The thoracic spine is known to host the spinal cord, which is the mainstay of our peripheral nerves. From a cavity in the vertebral bodies, the so-called spinal canal, nerve fibers (spinal nerves) leave the spinal cord, which in turn connect to strands and continue into our limbs and organs. There they provide the respective sections of the body sensitively and motorically, which means that they control the local sensation as well as the muscular activity.

In a rib blockade said nerve fibers from the spinal canal can be enormously irritated or even damaged, with the result that they can no longer fulfill their original task and neurological deficits arise. In addition, trapping the spinal nerves can also increase the pain potential of a rib blockage. Typical neurological deficits caused by rib blockages include:

• Miss sensations on the fingers (numbness, tingling, pulling),
• Paralysis of individual fingers,
• Delayed reflexes in the upper extremities,
• Numbness of skin areas belt-shaped around the ribcage,
• extreme nerve pain in the spine area (especially during exercise).

Although these neurological deficits in rib blockages are rather rare, since nature has installed a corresponding safety distance at the exit of the nerve fibers from the thoracic vertebrae, nevertheless affected should also pay attention to such symptoms and at the first signs early to see a doctor. For although damage to nerve fibers can be reversible by mechanical stimuli, the treatment options here depend very much on the respective degree of damage.

The diagnosis of a rib blockage should usually be secured using imaging techniques. (Image: metamorworks / fotolia.com)

diagnosis

The first indications that support the suspicion of a rib blockage, already provides the detailed anamnesis interview between doctor and patient. Based on information on the exact location, severity and response of the pain to mechanical and / or thermal stimuli, such as improvement in light exercise and external heat application, allow the attending physician to focus quickly on a happening on the spine and ribs.

In addition, sufferers should mention in addition to existing concomitant symptoms also all sorts of happenings in the near past, which may have led to the rib blockade. These include ribbed sport activities and accidents as well as lack of exercise and pre-existing conditions in the area of ​​the spine or joints.

Following the patient survey, a physical examination will be carried out to assess the extent of the blockage and possible neurological deficits and disorders. This is largely done by scanning the affected area and special movement tests.

Since a heart attack or an aortic dissection causes very similar symptoms to a rather harmless rib blockage, the treating physician should be really sure about the case of the "rib blockage" treatment diagnosis. A mistreatment in these two cases can be fatal for those affected, so it depends on a careful differential diagnosis.

To confirm the diagnosis, it is therefore imperative to use imaging examination methods that literally draw a clear picture of the displacement of the rib joints. For this purpose, doctors have access to measures such as chest x-ray and spine radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

treatment

The treatment of a rib blockade is in most cases purely conservative by physiotherapeutic interventions, the goal is on the one hand to achieve relief of the acute pain symptoms and concomitant symptoms by relieving the blockade. On the other hand, the treatment should also prevent a new rib blockage, thus providing preventive protection. In addition, there are some home remedies, medicinal and naturopathic approaches that support recovery and prevention.

Rib blockages can often be successfully treated with the help of manual therapies. (Image: Dan Race / fotolia.com)

Drug pretreatment

In particularly severe cases of rib blockage, acute pain and muscle tension can and should be alleviated by appropriate medication prior to commencing physiotherapy. Here are, for example, painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac and muscle relaxants such as baclofen and Ortoton used.

Physiotherapeutic applications in massively tense and pain afflicted sufferers can aggravate the symptoms even more, because both the fear of further pain, as well as the massive immobility of the spine as a result of pain and tension, slow down the success of a treatment or even reverse the negative. In addition, affected people who can not see any improvement in the problem, only little or no cooperation and in the fewest cases perform the exercises even at home on their own motivation.

physical therapy

To relieve the blockage, general relaxation massages, trigger point massages on existing pain points, and manual therapy to relieve the blocked joint are used. In the latter measure, the affected area is manually processed in several sessions until the surrounding structures have relaxed and the joint blockage is resolved. In general, this can also alleviate the concomitant symptoms.

It should be mentioned that intervertebral joints, which were once affected by a severe rib blockage, are always predestined for further events of this kind. To avoid this, sufferers are given strengthening and stretching exercises, which should be integrated into everyday life as far as possible or at least applied at the latest when their body shows them that the weak point is threatening to break up again. This is all the more important if serious accident scenarios were involved or if those affected plan to continue demanding sports training after recovery.

Basically, a regular exercise performed by the physiotherapist exercises is the ultimate prophylaxis for re-blockage of the ribs and also a good treatment basis for recurring, smaller blockages. It is important to perform the respective exercises never in the unheated state. Without proper warm-up training, the body is often not flexible enough during stretching exercises, increasing the risk of injury.

movement therapy

Speaking of exercise: rib blockages are increasingly the result of postural problems and lack of exercise nowadays. Therefore, a pillar of self-therapy is indispensable for strengthening the core muscles through exercise. You do not necessarily have to lift weights for hours. Regularly performed, moderate sports (for example, cycling or Nordic walking), which addresses above all the deep-seated muscles, but here can be preventively priceless value.

Even people who have suffered due to obesity, a rib blockage, should pay attention in the future to her weight in a healthy setting. This is also best achieved with regular movement units. However, the type of movement is also important here. Because especially at the beginning of weight loss, your own weight bearing in sports that are relatively shocking (for example, jogging or contact sports) can be an additional burden on the spine and ribs. Anyone who also brings a weakening of the vertebral joints through previous blockages in training, risking unnecessary injuries or even a new blockade. It therefore offer more targeted and gentle stretching or strengthening exercises for the back, chest and torso muscles, such as those mediated by aqua gymnastics or swimming.

nutrition

Not only patients with overweight, but in principle should be considered in rib blockages therapy-supporting nutritional measures. Because there are many things that can be done with a view to the diet in order to optimally strengthen the spine and ribs. This not only applies to the omission of fatty and sugar-rich foods in the fight against obesity, but also for the general strengthening of the bone and cartilage substance in the spine or rib area. In this context, in addition to a balanced diet with no excess calories, especially the right nutrients are important. For vertebral and rib bones, it is mainly on an adequate supply of

• calcium,
• magnesium,
• proteins
• and vitamin D3.

Corresponding nutrients are found, for example, in legumes, cabbage vegetables, dairy and whole-grain products and lean meats and fish.

Tip: In addition, especially for the cartilage between ribs and breastbone gelatin is a particular recommendation. Because cartilage is made of gelatin and therefore needs it to regenerate and stay strong. In addition, the protein-rich substance mixture is also good for the therapy and prevention of osteoarthritis, a major cause of disease in rib blockages.

Alternative medical approaches

In the field of naturopathy and alternative medicine, affected persons may also find something suitable in the search for suitable treatment strategies. With the help of an osteopath or chiropractor, for example, weak points can be located and manually processed by special manipulations. Also in the correction of bad postures offers the osteopathy similar to the physiotherapy supporting function.

To relieve painful tension in the spine and rib area, Kinesio tapes (taping) can also be used as instructed. The plastering with the colorful adhesive tapes is able to promote blood circulation at affected upper body sites, positively influence the posture and remove accumulated body slag, which alleviate blockade-related pain sustainably.

Even in the homeopathic fundus, some supportive substances can be found that are successfully used in joint blockages and pain due to musculoskeletal disorders. Especially Schüßler salts and globules such as Calcium carbonicum Hahnemanni (Schüßler salt no. 22) and Rhus toxicodendron are used very frequently in this regard. Even better are herbal remedies in general. Above all, arnica and comfrey preparations are considered to be especially analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. The extracts of medicinal plants can be used as local ointments, for example. Likewise, herbal compresses have proven themselves and even herbal teas, which develop their healing effect from within, are worth a try.

Various medicinal plants, especially comfrey, have proven effective in the treatment of rib blockages. (Image: Ruckszio / fotolia.com)

Overall, the following medicinal herbs are recommended for rib blockages and joint complaints:

• comfrey,
• chili,
• Spruce,
• Fighter,
• couch-grass,
• marigold,
• rosemary,
• thyme,
• Black Cohosh,
• willow bark.

Recommendation: An insider tip for back, muscle and joint complaints is the Tiger Balm. The balm from the Far East is made of some of the best herbal active ingredients against the mentioned complaints, including menthol. Camphor, cajeput oil and cinnamon oil. Apply the Tiger Balm but only on the really affected parts of the body and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes, because the ingredients are extremely sharp and have a strong irritating effect on sensitive tissue layers.

home remedies

To relax the tense muscles and alleviate mild discomfort sufferers can be active in many ways as shown. Be it that stretching exercises to support the therapy shown by the physiotherapist conscientiously continue at home or appropriate changes in everyday life, for example, by a healthier sitting position, exercise or diet changes are driven personally - the initiative is definitely in the recovery and prevention of rib blockages indispensable. In addition to the measures already mentioned, here are some everyday tips for you:

• Heat treatment: Muscle tension resulting from blockage usually responds very well to external heat treatment. A cherry stone pillow, a hot water bottle or even a warm bath can also be used well at home. If you like, you can also add some of the herbs listed above to the bath water, and in a jiffy you can do a full-blown spa. In addition, heat treatments also serve as good preparation of the affected rib area for subsequent stretching and strengthening exercises.
A hot water bottle, a warm cherry stone or grain pillow can often contribute quickly to relieve a rib blockage. (Image: Rawpixel.com/fotolia.com)
• Posture correction in everyday life: For patients who have suffered a rib blockage, it is even more important to pay attention to a healthy posture in everyday life. Make sure that you always sit upright during seated activities and that your spine is not bent or tilted to one side while sitting. A special tip here are ergonomically shaped office chairs that support the natural shape of the spine when sitting.
• Avoid over- and underload: Occupations associated with a daily lifting of heavy loads are no longer recommended after a rib blockage. Also privately should be lifted in the future no longer difficult. This applies on the one hand to lifting heavy objects such as crates or furniture, on the other hand, but also for lifting and carrying around small children and excessive weight training.
• targeted stretching exercises: In addition to the exercises to strengthen the core muscles mediated by the physiotherapist, private courses such as yoga can be a good basis for stretching weakened muscle and tendon sections in the area of ​​the chest. So it can not hurt to deal with such offers in order to operate in the future better prevention against the blockades.

Possible causative diseases

Obesity, arthrosis, kyphosis, lordosis, Scheuermann's disease, osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, scoliosis, funnel chest. (Ma)