Tips on How to Help Broken Ribs Heal Faster

Broken ribs can be incredibly painful and can make everyday activities difficult. While broken ribs cannot be completely healed quickly, there are some steps that you can take to help ensure that the process of healing is as smooth and as pain free as possible. Here are some tips on what you can do to help broken ribs heal faster.

Get plenty of rest

One of the most important steps you can take to help broken ribs heal faster is to get plenty of rest. Rest allows your body the time and space it needs to heal without the added strain that everyday activities and physical activity can cause. To best help your ribs heal, try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and avoid activities that require any significant physical exertion.

Apply cold and heat

Cold and heat therapy is a popular and effective way to reduce pain and swelling associated with broken ribs. To use cold and heat therapy, apply a cold pack (such as a bag of frozen peas) to the area for 15-20 minutes a few times a day. Follow up the cold pack with a heating pad for up to half an hour at a time. This process can help to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and help the muscles and tissue in the area to relax.

Try pain relievers

If the pain is too severe to allow for adequate rest, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow all the instructions on the label and take these medications only as directed.

Take magnesium supplements

Magnesium is a mineral that helps with the repair and rebuilding of bones, so taking magnesium supplements can help broken ribs heal faster. Magnesium supplements are available in tablet or capsule form and are available at most health food stores. Consult your doctor before taking any supplement to make sure it is safe for you.

See a physical therapist

If your doctor recommends it, seeing a physical therapist can be beneficial for broken ribs. A physical therapist can teach you about proper posture and how to use supports (such as a rib belt) to protect your ribs during activities. Additionally, physical therapists can offer specific exercises that can help reduce pain and allow you to move more freely.

Conclusion

Broken ribs can be incredibly painful and the healing process can take several weeks. While there is no magical way to completely heal broken ribs quickly, you can speed up the process by making sure to get plenty of rest, using cold and heat therapy, taking pain relievers, taking magnesium supplements, and seeing a physical therapist if recommended by your doctor. Following these tips can help ensure that your broken ribs heal as quickly and as pain free as possible.