Question
Thank you in advance!

My X-rays show that my bottom rib is broken due to a fall, I now can breath deep without much discomfort, its been 2 weeks since I fell, coughing still hurts a little, I am a truck driver and once I return to work I must reach over my head to pull heavy trailer doors down to close them plus crank dolly wheels on a trailer that weighs over 50,000 lbs, it takes all my strength when normal to crank the dolly handle, I feel that I will re injure the rib if I go back to work too early.

I read that it takes 6 to 10 weeks to heal a broken rib, I still cannot sleep lying down, I sleep in a soft recliner.

Thank you.

Answer
Unfortunately, rib injuries can be a bugger!!!  They don't tape them anymore (too much risk of pneumonia).  I would suggest you find a chiropractor or other practitioner that utilizes a low level laser.  We have used this successfully to treat rib fractures.  The laser speeds the healing process and can help cut pain