Question
Dear Sir,
Three weeks ago I think I separated my rib on the right side maybe the 4th rib on side of breast under the armpit was mucking around on bed and turned myself around too quickly hitting the bed hard ,there was a pop then it was so very sore when I moved or breathed using my ribs
anyway it only took about 10 days to feel so much better, then I decided that it was healed so I did some deep massage on my son and when I finished I noticed I was sore and it hurt when I straightened up but not in the same area it had seemed to move more to the front of the rib, Now I am sore at the front of my rib and if I lean forward it hurts and pulls when I straighten
Why would the pain and pulled feeling move to the front under breast? How long will this take to heal, it seems to get worse as the day moves on
Any suggestions would be appreciated, I do suffer from anxiety and I hold my self really tight and have done for many years, could this be affecting my ribs. Thank you so much for your time
Helen

Answer

Lawrence Gold  

somatics session in pr   First thing, Helen:  Don't worry.

OK.

Trauma Reflex is a muscular action that occurs when we hurt ourselves.  We tighten up.

Yes, you had a pop, but I don't know if your rib really separated or if you just had a muscle spasm.  The muscle involved would be the intercostal muscles (between ribs).  I doubt you had a separation because cartilage heals very slowly, compared to other tissues, and ten days wouldn't do it.

Trauma Reflex is nature's way of us holding ourselves together.  Muscles cramp up.  That cramp gets triggered by pain, so the pain where you had the pop triggered more contraction along the line of the muscles.  And there you have it.

An anxious disposition involves tightening of breathing -- meaning the breathing muscles -- the intercostal muscles, again, plus diaphragm and abdominals.  That tension would predispose you to just the kind of incident you've experienced:  You were so tight, you popped.

You can free yourself from these cramps by learning to control those places through and in movement. Somatic education exercises accomplish that purpose, and there's a specific, recorded instructional program with lessons relevant to your condition, and even more specialized programs, to which I provide access, upon request.

But you're best off learning more about, and understanding, what I've outlined here, more full.  Get the book, Somatics | ReAwakening the Mind's Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health, by Thomas Hanna.  Or read my much shorter article on recovery from injuries | http://somatics.com/recovery_from_injury.htm | .  That's it.