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What Causes Pain On The Left Side Under The Ribcage?
Question: I've had a pain on my left side just under my rib cage for several weeks now. It started when I had a severe cramp in that spot. That cramp occurred in the same spot two more times since. I was sure it was pulled muscle but I am concerned that it is still tender. I do participate in CrossFit activities but is it normal for muscle injuries to last so long?
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Brief Answer:
Pinched nerve
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
It may be a muscular pain, but it can most probably be a pinched nerve, because those happen in bouts like you are describing and last for that long.
If you don't have other symptoms like cough or shortness of breath then it can surely be just that and you don't need to worry about other organs.
What I recommend my patients for these kind of pains is:
-- Take a pain killer like Ibuprofen 400mg or Naproxen 550mg 2-3 times/day for 2 weeks, so you keep the inflammation of the muscle/nerve down.
-- Apply a local analgesic, so it can enhance the painkiller and noninflammatory effect.
-- Try to be active but not overuse the area. Stopping exercising for some time for example. It is like an opened wound that needs time to heal and it may need up to 6 weeks to heal completely unless it hasn't been injured meanwhile.
-- Physical therapy may help too, because a specialist can recommend exercises which are specifically recommended for that nerve injury
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a local doctor.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Pinched nerve
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear XXXXXXX
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
It may be a muscular pain, but it can most probably be a pinched nerve, because those happen in bouts like you are describing and last for that long.
If you don't have other symptoms like cough or shortness of breath then it can surely be just that and you don't need to worry about other organs.
What I recommend my patients for these kind of pains is:
-- Take a pain killer like Ibuprofen 400mg or Naproxen 550mg 2-3 times/day for 2 weeks, so you keep the inflammation of the muscle/nerve down.
-- Apply a local analgesic, so it can enhance the painkiller and noninflammatory effect.
-- Try to be active but not overuse the area. Stopping exercising for some time for example. It is like an opened wound that needs time to heal and it may need up to 6 weeks to heal completely unless it hasn't been injured meanwhile.
-- Physical therapy may help too, because a specialist can recommend exercises which are specifically recommended for that nerve injury
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a local doctor.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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