Rib injury - recovery suggestions?

[redman101nz]

Hey any advice on speeding up recovery from a rib cartilege injury?

I'll have to stop sparring for a couple of weeks, it's too painful if I get hit on that side :-(

But what speeds up recovery further - heat? cold?
What about nutrition, is there any type of food/supplement that helps these types of injuries to heal faster? (am already taking creatine)

I remember last time I had broken ribs, the doc told me to make sure I kept taking regular deep breaths, even though it hurt ... any advice/experience with this would be much appreciated

I don't want to just sit around putting on weight, but not sure if my normal cardio (skipping and cross-fit) is going to make it heal slower :-(

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Cold is used to reduce swelling, so it really only works immediately after the injury. Usually within 20-30 minutes.

Heat is used for muscles, so it could help in relief but with ribs, it comes down to just resting.

Ribs injuries are annoying, I have had bruised ribs and it hurts to sneeze, get up, sit down, sleep, cough....it sucks.

[Ray Corso]

Time.............thats what it takes simple as that. Do not rush back to spar and cause more problems to sensitive areas thats irresponsible!
I know something about rib damage in a motorcycle accident in 1998 I broke and/or fracture all my ribs front and back except two in the lower left back!
The pain was very really and a sneeze was enough to bring tears to my eyes!
It was a long recover with only time as the healer!!!
( a year later I lost both "good ribs" when my kidney was removed!!!) thats life.
Doc

[_original_]

You injured your rib and you're contemplating going out and doing cross-fit? Dude, chill out and let your body recover, it's the best thing you can do unless you want end up sidelined even longer.

[redman101nz]

Cool - have taken a break from all exercise, will slowly get back into it as I feel better
Ibuprofen helps, but that's is just 'masking' the pain, so I only use it at night to let me sleep properly
Once I am able to train again, am going to make sure I do as much 'pre-hab' as I can, to strengthen the surrounding muscles
But that's a topic for another time...

Cheers guys