Rib cage pain

[morrobaysurfer]

the best way to deal with this is to go get some child arm floaties, like the ones that blow up and go on a kids arms. blow them up just a little bit, and then close the nipple on them and push the nipple in. now take the floaties and put them under your rashgard or just in your wet suit buy the ribs that are painfull. you only want a little bit of air in them k. this will be like an air cushion for your ribs. it helped me a bunch. by by rib pain. time to rip.

[avillax]

Thank God I found this post. So it seems its a standard Injury...

It happened to me after about 25 sessions, had to take a break for 3 weeks, then had 2 sessions with no problem, and today the waves were bigger and in faster intervals, so I had to push myself harder, then I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND! on the right side of my ribcage (where I had the rib strain before) after that the pain was really bad, couldn't lay on the board and couldn't paddle, in the end I barely made it to the shore and called the lifeguards, they had to help me out.

Right now, it feels just like a strain, almost made me forget that I had to be helped out. How long will it take me to heal this time?.

At least I know that I must stretch always and can't push myself too much and it will have to be like that for a while...

[OregonSean]

Also glad I'm not the only one who gets this. I grew up in the Mtns Snowboarding and didn't pick up surfing into my late 20's. Last time I went to Mexico I went crazy trying to surf everyday/all day ( Especially since it's usually just 2 day trips once a month and cold!) and by the end of the first week it hurt to laugh and do much of anything. So I figured I was either disformed, got into the sport to late, or a big Vag. Sounds like I just need to muscle through. Currently i'm in NZ for a few months and my first day on my board I could feel my ribs rubbing funny and thought "oh xxxxx, not again." Keep ya posted, no bad pain yet.

[EastcoastLI]

I was reading a surfing magazine a while back (transworld surf) and they coined this pain as "kook ribs". Apparantly you don't have to be a kook to get it, but it "makes you feel like one". Now I've been referring to this pain as that
Hurts a lot though

[surf patrol]

Hey guys and ladies. If you are having problems from sore ribs you need to visit the website of a product called Paddleair.com . There is a new product called the Ergo that has an air bladder that you can adjust by adding or releasing air to fit the area where you are having pain. The added bonus is the bladder also gives you lift and allows you to relax your back and neck muscles allowing for a longer session. Check out the video on the website paddleair.com and the owner, an older surfer explains and demos the product. Worth a look if you are suffering from rib pain, neck or back stress. Cheers!

[jaffa1949]

Back some time ago I did a Chiropractic review on the paddle air, it was the original model so things probably have changed ( read improved).
It definitely has all the benefits of changing the ergonomics of the chest and neck positioning for the better and provides a rib cushion that can help.
IMO the original had the air bladders a little too square than structure to full support the ribs but from reports that has been improved , the great thing is the cushioning is variable by the amount of air you can put in, which really brings me to the one area where there could be concerns is wave face penetration in a wipeout if you have a full bladder ( the air one) and a little extra flotation from the air when you are duck diving ( obviously as you are paddling out you can deflate a little).
These are minor points and a capable surfer should be able to adjust around them>
If it gets you in the water surfing and pain free and lessening the risk of repetitive strain problem it could be worth it.

[IB_Surfer]

I did a few times as a begginer, I still get rib pain but only when I'm on vacation and surf daily for two weeks at a time. Doing my 2 to 3 sessions a week I don't get it any more

[surfgoth]

i crunched my ribs in the water a couple years back. once i found it would be six weeks to heal, i bought the paddleair, because screw waiting six weeks. i can say that the thing is a big pain in the ass and looks like youve got tits when its fully inflated, but it works quite well.

i found that you actually use it when youre paddling back out. once youre sitting in the lineup, youve got to deflate it so you can catch waves. as soon as you kick out/fall, give it a couple puffs of air for the paddle back out. not too much air or the paddle position is a bit awkward. just the right amount of air provides enough cushion to make it bearable.

[jaffa1949]

i crunched my ribs in the water a couple years back. once i found it would be six weeks to heal, i bought the paddleair, because screw waiting six weeks. i can say that the thing is a big pain in the ass but it works quite well. .

I had to edit this so you could see the joke but perhaps it should have been worn somewhere else Sorry Goth

[surfgoth]

haha nice one jaffa

[Love2ride]

I love this post and all the feedback and the pics rock too!! ! I've been out of the water for 5 days now going nuts not being able to surf! w/ pain in my right lower rib area. Right under my r breast. Its better today but painful when I breath in super deep or stretch with arms overhead. I was putting in 5+ hr sess for 4 weeks and the last week I hit my rail so gnarly pulling my body up on my board right when a wave got me by surprise. Then after that I got it AGAIN and "shook it off" Surfed the next day and that was a bad idea. So here I am... frozen peas.. going through surf w/drawls.. Ive only been surfing 1 month but am so stoked beyond belief and was putting in insane hours.. Its crazy to think about NOT surfing now. And this injury is such a buzz kill. But the last ride before I decided to take time off was so epic its almost worth it. Even if it did irritate my already injured rib.. I'm so hooked and LOVE surfing.. Cant wait to get back out. So it sounds like 5-6 days rest should suffice then some mellow longboarding should be ok?
Aloha and mahalo to everyone!

[esonscar]

The pain will go away . . . just keep paddling (even on flat days - for fitness and pain mitigation) and your body will say 'Hey, this is cool so I now stop the pain thing'. Keep us informed so we can keep you motivated !

[OlegLupusov]

So, to surf or not to surf?! That is the question to answer!
Got these kook ribs as a result of two 30 minutes’ session after 8 months’ break resulting from a broken jaw!
It’s not that bad! It does not bother me if I am not surfing. Didn’t have it before as surfed a lot on a regular basis.

[jaffa1949]

Wow Oleg , between you and your boards you have an amazing amount of dings and injuries.
Talk about school of hard knocks!

[FulongSurfer]

Damn, I have the same soreness just under my right ribs after last weekend. I went a bit nuts and stayed in the water for 6-7 hours both days. It's not too bad but whenever I bend my head/chest, there is some pain.

Any strengthening exercises out of water that can help with this?

[FulongSurfer]

Damn, I have the same soreness just under my right ribs after last weekend. I went a bit nuts and stayed in the water for 6-7 hours both days. It's not too bad but whenever I bend my head/chest, there is some pain.

Any strengthening exercises out of water that can help with this?

So I ended up having this pain for about 3 weeks. I just took it easy and didn't surf during that time. After that there was no soreness even when I surfed a lot (6-7hrs/day for two days in a row). So in my case, this seems to be a one-time thing. Hope this helps anyone else stressed out about this.

[nandogdc@gmail.com]

Hi guys, A lot of good information here! Since I stopped using my steamer I have been having pain high on the right side of my rib almost next to the bottom of my sternum. This happens almost straight after I start to paddle into the surf, this becomes quite painful, especially when I breathe for air. Sometimes stays like that for a while, but others will calm down just a bit. This isn't very pleasant! Of course, the pain will go away as soon as I stop surfing. Is there a treatment that I could take for this? I am contemplating buying a vest just to have some more cushioning in that section.
Cheers
Nando

[jaffa1949]

I did a test review of a first edition of paddleair vest some years back worked quite well provided you didn‘‘t over inflate, hindered duckdiving a little, newer models would be better!

[tripleovernipple]

It's because you have rib flare and you're probably rolling side to side when you paddle. try keep your torso straight and you'll also be a bit faster at paddling too

[IB_Surfer]

Good to hear. I had achiles surgery and got back to surfing last month, the first thing I noticed was the rib pain after surfing 3 consecutive sessions. I just waited a few days and surfed every other day and I am good now. I think it is just something your body has to get used to. See you in the water