Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern. It is normal to have pain for some weeks after a rib fracture. But I would like to know if you have also pain while breathing. A broken rib causes difficulty breathing and bruising of the skin, caused by the subcutaneous hematoma. If you don t have these signs, it is less probable to be a broken rib, just a muscular pain. I would recommend you to consult with your GP and perform a chest xray (to examine better your lungs and ribs) and a routine blood test. It is important to avoid straining physical activity during this situation. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are the best painkillers in your situation. I would not advise heat application in this region, because it can cause dilatation of the vessels and increase hemorrhage and inflammation. Hope to have been helpful! Greetings! Dr. Iliri