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What Causes A Clinching Feeling Along Ribcage After Exercise?

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Posted on Tue, 6 Jan 2015
Question: This doesn't happen every time, but after running when I bend over forward I feel a sudden clinching or knot in my upper left abdomen along the ribcage. It's pretty painful and usually subsides when I stretch out. The most recent time was a week ago and when it occurred I could see the muscle (or something) knotted up under the skin. After a few minutes it went away and the area was sore for a day or so. It always seems to be when I lean or bend forward after running and not any other type of exercise. I have no other symptoms besides this.
I've been reading some posts on the site, and it appears that I'm not the only one with this feeling. http://XXXXX/XXXXExercise--Fitness/Abdominal-Muscle-Spasms/show/0000. Some have described it as a XXXXXXX horse feeling, which is pretty accurate for me as well.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Rest to the part, local rubrafacients, anti-inflammatory medicines....

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
I re-read it carefully and could understand that you have a spasming area now and was clinching knot feeling at the upper left abdomen '' along the ribcage'' on Friday on bending forward. This occurs on and off and only on bending forward after running.
Great that this occurs only on running and not on any other exercises and you have no other symptoms.

My probable diagnosis would be pointing to a condition called 'cost-chondritis'. This is a condition where you get swelling in cartilage part of the lower floating ribs.
This is the area from where the abdominal muscles originate. The inflammation in the ribs easily pass to the origin- part of the muscles making them sore.
Running is an exercise where all the muscles of the body are involved, more so for the muscles of this part as your respiration is increased many folds so are the movements of the ribs and the structures related to them.
Bending is a position where these particular muscles are working with more force at an area where you get the feeling and since they are already sore, you get the feeling of spasming and / or clinching knot feeling.

I would advise you the following : General rules in such cases:
First of all the rule is to give rest part to the ailing area, hence a rest to the exercises which increase the tensions in the said area till it is healed.
Get a anti-inflammatory medicine like Ibuprofen or so (whichever suits you well) to reduce the swelling, pain in the affected area. You may please take this at 8 hourly duration after food.
You can use local rubrafacient ointments or liniments, which work by causing local irritation and increase local blood circulation, enhancing the healing and loosening the spam. Local heat application works the same way.

Please try this ad I hope this will help you the most.
You may please consult a Doctor who can palpate the area and confirm the diagnosis and rules out any other cause.

Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications if you feel there is a gap of communication.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes A Clinching Feeling Along Ribcage After Exercise?

Brief Answer: Rest to the part, local rubrafacients, anti-inflammatory medicines.... Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. I re-read it carefully and could understand that you have a spasming area now and was clinching knot feeling at the upper left abdomen '' along the ribcage'' on Friday on bending forward. This occurs on and off and only on bending forward after running. Great that this occurs only on running and not on any other exercises and you have no other symptoms. My probable diagnosis would be pointing to a condition called 'cost-chondritis'. This is a condition where you get swelling in cartilage part of the lower floating ribs. This is the area from where the abdominal muscles originate. The inflammation in the ribs easily pass to the origin- part of the muscles making them sore. Running is an exercise where all the muscles of the body are involved, more so for the muscles of this part as your respiration is increased many folds so are the movements of the ribs and the structures related to them. Bending is a position where these particular muscles are working with more force at an area where you get the feeling and since they are already sore, you get the feeling of spasming and / or clinching knot feeling. I would advise you the following : General rules in such cases: First of all the rule is to give rest part to the ailing area, hence a rest to the exercises which increase the tensions in the said area till it is healed. Get a anti-inflammatory medicine like Ibuprofen or so (whichever suits you well) to reduce the swelling, pain in the affected area. You may please take this at 8 hourly duration after food. You can use local rubrafacient ointments or liniments, which work by causing local irritation and increase local blood circulation, enhancing the healing and loosening the spam. Local heat application works the same way. Please try this ad I hope this will help you the most. You may please consult a Doctor who can palpate the area and confirm the diagnosis and rules out any other cause. Please feel free to ask for more or if you need further clarifications if you feel there is a gap of communication.