Beth,
I read your section about bruised ribs with great interest. Almost 10 years ago I had a major rib injury which keeps recurring when I try and get back into the water no matter how long I rest it. Is there any rehab that I can do that would prevent/protect this area? I’ve tried surfing with braces and padding, none of which seems to do any good. I was crushed, which broke and seperated the ribs on my left side. If you could get me back into the water pain free, I would be in your debt forever.
ANSWER:
In debt FOREVER? Wow, that would be killer! Then I guess that means I could drop in on you at any time!
With regards to your ribs, it sounds to me as though you may have some scar tissue or “binding” of tissues either in the intercostal muscles which surround the ribs or in the actual fascia or connective tissue in the area you damaged. If this the case, then I suggest both stretching and massage. You need to break up this scar tissue so that things flow properly in this area. This area is totally sensitive and if things are bound down, not much activity can cause a significant amount of pain.
Stretching: Try to do stretches that open up the rib cage area like lying on your bed on your back with much of your upper body off of the bed. Put both arms up over your head and form a “Y” with your arms and let your chest area stretch and open up. Any stretches that stretch your pecs and front area may help. Side and lat (your wings under your armpits) stretches may work as well.
Massage/body work: This practice can really aid in quick recovery. I have the name of an incredible body worker here in Mill Valley if you are close to this area. If you have what I am guessing, then massage could be quite painful on this area but for once pain may be a good thing as you are breaking up old scar tissue.
So, work with this info. Hard to diagnose without seeing you but this may give you an idea of where to start. Let me know if I am totally off or if this actually works! Good Luck!
Hasta, Beth
FOLLOW UP… (Posted 3-10-02)
Hi Beth,
I wrote to you a while back regarding my rib injury and would like to give you an update on my condition. (Well, you asked!) I’ve been rigorously stretching the area to the point where I can feel things start to move around and have been to a few “massage therapists” who don’t seem to have a clue about bodywork. I don’t know which is more beneficial, but I have been in the water more in 2002 than in 2000 and 2001 combined. I haven’t had a single episode of pain in my ribs since November,
I believe that was right after I wrote you. The only suffering I have is trying to relearn and get back into shape after being out of the water for so long. Surf buddies can be cruel. I did buy a longboard which may have helped things along, but I have surfed shortboards on a few occasions with no ill effects. So now I am forever in your debt so you can cut me off and drop in on me anytime, and I’ll even buy drinks afterwards.
Mahalo nui, Tom
Related posts:
Hi again, Beth. Can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I asked you about my ribs. Looking at the archives I see a lot of people who are having rib problems. Not surprising since there are so many that are starting when they are older. Anyway, I’m still surfing as much as I can and enjoying it more than ever. I think the keys to PREVENTING rib problems are stretching and keeping warm. A lot of the people who write you are basically over-doing it, kinda like pulling a muscle. But rib problems are much worse and much harder to heal than a simple pull. In recovery it is important to stop whatever you are doing if it hurts. Pushing beyond your pain only lengthens the recovery time and could cause further problems. It’s a lot easier to spend 5 minutes stretching than years recovering. Hope this helps someone, Have a great 2011!
Tom
Awesome Tom. thanks for the reply. My feelings exactly on the rib gig!! Happy surfing
Hasta
Beth