Question
Dear Dr Newhart, I will try and describe my problem as clear as I can. About a week ago I felt this sudden shooting pain in my back, in the height of my last couple of ribs. This happened while in bed and only lasted for 5 minutes tops. Tomorrow afternoon I started feeling pain in the front, just under my right rib and in the level of last few ribs.I've had this since, feeling tender all around that area from the  front around the side to the back.I feel this tenderness when I press the area. Even feel tenderness higher up on the side of my ribs. If I would press the achieness stays for couple of minutes. But there is also almost constant feeling  at the front of my lowest right ribs (front but it is closer to the side)of discomfort, i don't know how else to explain it. Also, when i try to sit leaning forward and breathe in the way that the back seems to stretch sideways, I feel a pull on the far right side of my back. That very spot feels tender when I press it as well. About couple of weeks before this incident I had felt similar things on the same side, but I had few other issues at the moment, bloatedness and also general back stiffness, for which i went to see a chiropractor. The stiffness went away straight away and the right side issue couple of days later as well. I went to see my doctor yesterday about this and she said it seems to be muscular, since I can feel the tenderness superficially, and she also examined my stomach by palpitating it.I still worry, wondering if it is really muscular and what to do about it. The other day my partner tried to stretch me by doing something similar to hugging bear, he put his arms around me at my ribs and try to pick me up and about 5 or 10 minutes later I have felt the worse pain all around that side that I have felt in all this time, or ever. I don't know if the hug had caused this pain. Can't see my chiropractor for another week and if I don't get any reassurance before, I think this is going to drive me crazy. Please, help. Thank you.

Answer
The bear hug maneuver quite possibly is what caused or contributed to this.  There is a reason it isn't taught in school, and also that anyone that isn't trained in adjusting attempt to preform these types of things, even for temporary relief.  It sounds as if there is a strain along the ribs, possibly in the intercostal muscles (between the ribs).  Myofascial release and ice can ease it; possibly an adjustment if indicated.  For now, until you can see your chiropractor, you may want to do ice for 15 minutes, and off for 20, and repeat.  A good anti inflammatory (Advil, Alleve, etc) would also be indicated to ease the inflammation.