Taking Balanced Diet And Getting Sharp Pain Under Rib. Could It Be Pulled Muscle?

Posted on Thu, 31 Jan 2013

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

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 Answered on

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : i have a sharp pain on the right side, under the rib case. I have a good balanced diet too and am not overweight. Very healthy otherwise. could it be a pulled muscle ?

Answered by Dr. Samik Basu (15 minutes later)

Hi ,
Thank you for your query.
Do not panic.
Kindly answer my queries.
1. Is the pain continuous in nature or does it occur intermittently?
2. Is the pain localised to that area?
3. Is the pain aggravated by any type of movement of the arm or chest?
4. Is the area over the site painful to touch?.
I think it might be a muscle sprain.
Kindly apply ice pack over the area.
Take a mild painkiller like acetaminophen thrice daily for 3 days.
Give the area a rest.
If the site is tender then apply a painkiller gel to that area.
If you have any further queries you are free to consult me.
Hope this answers your query.Wishing you a speedy recovery.Have a nice day.

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

Follow up: Dr. Samik Basu (58 minutes later)

Thanks - the pain is occasional and only to that one area, under the right rib. the paid is not aggrivated by arm or chest movement. The site is not painful to touch

Answered by Dr. Samik Basu (43 minutes later)

Hi,
Thanks for the fast reply.

There is no reason to worry.

Please do take the tablets mentioned in my earlier reply and apply the painkiller gel (like Diclofenac gel) over the area.

Hope you recover fast.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E