Question
i am 35 years old. for the past couple of weeks i have been experiencing extreme side / rib pain when sleeping at night on my sides. I never had this problem before. i cannot even roll over at night because it hurts so bad to even move. It feels like a fish hook inside my lower rib cage area on the inside. It is internal at my lower rib cage area. thank you,
jason

Answer
side pain, rib pain,

Hello Jason,

Sorry to hear of your rib pain, side pain.

I assume from your description that you have pain on both sides, under the ribs, bilaterally.  Your worst pain is upon movement.  You do not report any other symptoms.  The pain has been with you for two- three weeks.

First, 2- 3 weeks of pain is starting to be time to seek the evaluation and advice of a licensed health professional.  That would be my first impression, first recommendation.

Next, since you report no other symptoms, and it hurts upon movement, , , , it is probably muscular in origin.  There are muscles throughout the body-- even atop, below, and between the ribs.  If it hurts upon movement- when your muscles work (movement)- then it could be muscles.

Did you do any different activity 2- 3 weeks ago???
Did you do any heavy lifting, heavy exercise, different movement?

Between the ribs there are muscles and nerves, I think of an intercostal neuritis (between the ribs irritated nerve), an intercostal muscle strain/ sprain; perhaps a costo-chondritis ( where the right and left ribs attach in the middle of the abdomen/ chest).
These possibilities come to mind.  These possibilities are usually self limiting and over time- with rest, get better even without treatment.  However, treatment can hasten recovery.

You have had the pain 2- 3 weeks.  It is time for an evaluation.  It does not sound like anything very serious- given your abbreviated comments and symptoms; but to be sure get evaluated.

Once evaluated appropriate treatment can be initiated.

Once evaluated if it is the 'simple' things I mention,,,, then you can decide on a course of treatment/ no treatment.

I hoipe this helps.  If you think you may have injured your musculo-skeletal system-- the following may be helpful:

P.R.I.C.E. =    
P  protection.   R rest.   I  ice.   C  compression.   E  elevation.

Hurt  yourself ??  injury/ trauma/  bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??

You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined  if you think it  is  bad  enough.     BUT  in  the  meantime,  some  simple  steps  may  help.   PRICE.
The  PRICE  protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.

P = Protection;  protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you  pad  or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !

R = Rest;  rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to repair the area

I = Ice;  ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again

C = Compression;  to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example  if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area.  Many body parts may not be applicable to compression.

E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part

PRICE  may  help :    Sprains,  Strains,  musculo-skeletal injury,  bruise,  contusion

Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain.  Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction).  In the spine, a sprain/strain  is a misalignment,  a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!

         Spinal = Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?  ;   ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.  Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint.  CORRECT the subluxation !!!!

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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That information is a handout I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic office.

I  hope this helps.

I wish you good luck and Good Health Naturally. If further information is necessary, please do not hesitate to re-contact me here at  AllExperts.com
( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm )

Thank you,
your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com           (email newsletter)