Question
I started having pain under my right breast that kept me from taking a deep
breath, possibly connected to excessive coughing from an allergy attack.  The
pain became more concentrated on my right side, and the doctor said it was
probably a cracked rib, prescribing naproxen.  After a few days it already
began to improve, but now the pain is gone from the right side and back
underneath my breast.  Does this sound like a rib fracture, or more likely
muscle injury?  Is the treatment the same for both? I am able to take a deep
breath, but can't get comfortable sleeping, and certain movements really
hurt.  Should I be trying to stretch a little, or move as little as possible?
Thank you.

Answer
Amy,

I think it's a muscle spasm in muscles between ribs.

To relieve muscle spasms, you must recapture control of those muscles of breathing from reflexes that activate when in pain (and typically stay activated until you deliberately recapture control).

In my view, stretching is of little use; you need to improve control of the involved muscles, not use other muscles to force a stretch.  I've written an article on stretching, found at somatics.com/page4b.htm.

To move as little as possible is no better.

Your best option, in my view, is to have sessions with a clinical somatic educator.  There's a link to a list of practitioners in the article.

If you were my client, I would foresee resolution in a session or two.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold