Pregnancy related rib pain is a condition that we commonly see at MPPP however many patients and other health practitioners don’t realise there are some simple things that can be done to change it!
The GOOD NEWS is that WE CAN HELP!
If you have pregnancy related rib pain you may be feeling some or all of these symptoms:
-Difficulty lying on your side
-Difficulty taking a deep breath in
-Pain in sitting (especially at a desk or feeding)
-Sharp of dull pain either front to back or in a arc pattern on the side of your rib cage
During pregnancy, your ribs need to expand to accommodate your growing baby and this can often lead to some discomfort associated with the different load and orientation of the muscles that attach around the ribcage.
It is quite common for people to go up a few bra sizes (especially band sizes) during pregnancy and a precursor to pregnancy related rib pain can also be wearing an ill-fitting bra.
At your physiotherapy appointment, your physiotherapist will assess your rib cage, upper spine and neck and deduce a treatment plan with you to help you feel more comfortable.
We can also go some gentle massage in the muscles between the ribs or through the upper back to help you feel more comfortable and give you some stretches to give you some control over your symptoms.
Please note: If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, changes in your blood pressure or any other adverse symptoms, we do advise that you speak to your medical team.
This blog was written by Karina Savur, Physiotherapist at Melbourne Pregnancy and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. Given that Karina is both a senior women’s health/ pregnancy physio and an expert in treating chest and shoulder dysfunction post breast cancer she is very familiar with treating pain in this area. She is passionate about relieving people’s pain and sees first hand how much it can improve people’s quality of life when the get the right advice and treatment.
Click this link to book with Karina at either our Pascoe Vale or Essendon clinic