Bruised Ribs (Weight Training)

PrettyBoy

How's it going lads, my left side got a bang on Tuesday morning, didn't notice any pain until that evening in the gym when I started my workout doing bench press there was a lot of dismfort around the top of my left arm/shoulder/chest, it's become more apparent over the last few days that I've bruised my ribs as there is some pain and discomfort around the whole rib area (front and back) on my left side.

To say I'm gutted is an understatement as I was making serious progress in the gym for the last few weeks and now I'm literally unable to train my shoulders and chest. The ribs are bruised so I'll have to take a few weeks off as I want them to heal as quickly as possible and be able to get back to weight training.

I may try and focus on my legs, abs and arms in the meantime, wondering whether I should try to do these or just stop training altogether for a few weeks?

Anyway, just wondering if there's anything I can do to speed up the recovery process? Will taking deep breaths do anything for me? Will applying a gel/balm to the area be of any real benefit? Or a hot water bottle? I really just want them to get better as quickly as possible, I know I just have to wait a few weeks and let them fix themselves, just wondering if anyone here has been in the same boat as me and has any tips.

RandolphEsq

Yeah I've had bruised ribs this year and it is so frustrating. Literally just had to take it easy on chest exercises for the few weeks.

beggars_bush

oh no, a few weeks where I have to focus on legs

I'd be delighted!

Hail 2 Da Chimp

Ice the area down, every night if possible. That should take down any swelling an allow new blood into the area to help with the healing. Stick some tiger balm or deep heat on the area before training if possible.
I've bruised my ribs before and pretty much wasn't able to do anything until it'd healed...

PrettyBoy

Hail 2 Da Chimp wrote: »

I've bruised my ribs before and pretty much wasn't able to do anything until it'd healed...

How long did they take to heal for you?

double GG

PrettyBoy wrote: »

How long did they take to heal for you?

Generally take 3-5 weeks to heal fully. But it can take much longer for some people and less for some.

You will know yourself when you it's better as your breathing won't be painful anymore.

Keep icing if there's swelling and just take it handy!

Hail 2 Da Chimp

PrettyBoy wrote: »

How long did they take to heal for you?

Can't really remember now but I was out of training for at least a week.