A Hard Kick To The Ribs - How To Deal With The Pain

[Lottie]

I had my first interclub fight on Saturday (I'm hopefully going to write more about that at the weekend!), and I got a really hard kick to the ribs. I am still in quite a lot of pain, although I don't think they are broken.....

So, I'm assuming this is a pretty standard injury (until you get better at blocking) so I'm after some tips/advice about how to deal with it. I'm keen to get this right as I fly out to Thailand in 2 weeks and really want it to be better by then!

[Micc]

First of all, hello :) Second, can you cough and laugh without feeling a sharp pain in the side where you were kicked? If it's otherwise it might be broken and it'd be better to check it at the doctor's.

I got small experience with rib kicks, but it helps to cool the place with an ice packet for a while, then I put some cream that will cool it further and work as an anti-inflammatory (I don't know the English name:(). After a few hours I put some cream with arnica that I put on bruises. I only have time to do it in the evening, but I think twice or even 3 times a day should be even better. It helps me, maybe it will help you, too.

I hope you will get over this bruise/injury before your trip, 2 weeks should be fine if it's just a bruise.

[radhs_ko]

hey...I think Micc is right about checking out for a cracked rib first.The laughing test as funny as it seems is a pretty good indicator..

I had a simple indian remedy which worked for me..spinach leaves..I used to make a paste of it..and apply it to the bruise and leave it for half an hour may be..used to work for me :)

[Snoopy]

I broke my ribs sparring before my first amateur fight and I didn't think they were broken as I could live with the pain. It just hurt a bit with impact and if I had to do exercises that involved bending. Then I took another punch to the rib again in sparring and the pain was super-sharp and after a few hours it even hurt sitting upright. When I went to check it out it was clear they were broken. The doctor told me it was not much to do apart from avoiding impact to the ribs for a couple of weeks and keep them as stable as possible. I was allowed to train, but avoided holding pads for a couple of weeks and obviously no sparring (not a great preparation for a fight....). It worked out ok as I had 5 weeks to my fight but actually the only sparring I got in before the fight was with my instructor as he was able to control where he hit/kicked and how hard. After 3 weeks the pain was much better so training with pads and drills wasn't an issue.

If you take it easy now 2 weeks should be enough to make the worst pain go away and be ready for Thailand. I would get it checked though with an xray. If they are broken it's important to know that the bones are aligned so they grow back correctly and are not damaging surrounding tissue. Apart from that ice, some painkillers and adjusting training should be enough to heal it :) Hope this helped! Good luck :)

[Lottie]

Thanks everyone! No sharp pains on breathing or coughing so I think I'm in the bruised camp rather than broken. However I do get funny looks at work when I'm testing this theory :)

I'm covering myself in arnica hoping the bruising will come out soon!

[Lottie]

Boo. Things aren't getting any better so I had to be sensible and cancel my trip as I would have been devastated to get out to Thailand and not be able to train. So i'll need to get thinking about a replacement trip later in the year - got to use those airmiles somehow :)

[515]

Ow that's bad news man! I hope you can go soon!!

Any idea how you will try to heal you ribs now expect from resting?

[Lottie]

I don't think there's anything I can do but rest. It's been 3 weeks now and i'm finally feeling that things are getting better. I've had to stop ALL exercise though, as moving was painful. However this week is the week i'm going to try and start some light exercise. I can't wait!