Suggest Treatment To Relieve Sharp Pain Under The Left Rib After A Hard Sneeze

Posted on Sat, 24 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 24 Feb 2018 Answered on

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : I sneezed real hard one day, now I have a very sharp pain in my ribs below and towards the center . Just below my left pectoral.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Unfortunately muscle injury can take up to 2 weeks to resolve, some cases 6 weeks.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The pain is due to slight injury of the muscles in that area. It can sometimes take up to 2 weeks for muscle injury to resolve, in severe cases (though should not be the case for you)-- can take up to 6 weeks.

You can continue the tiger balm and if the pain is severe, consider adding an anti inflammatory pain killer such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen or Cataflam.

A warm compress to the area may also be helpful as well.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Dr. Michelle Gibson James
General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar