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Rib cage tightness: Not sure what it might be
Digestive Health | Last Active: Nov 3 1:50pm | Replies (98)Comment receiving replies
I have come to believe that it could be something like what you describe. One thing that differs, though, is that it is not actual "painful". It is an extreme tightness around the lower rib cage and midriff. I do think it lies in the Fascia of the rib cage that are extremely tensed all the time. It is just this constant "squeezing" and it is incredibly unbearable to live with year after year. Now if I press down with my fingers in this area, I can find painful areas but only painful when I press down, not otherwise. There are also little nodule-like areas, which are often described in trigger point therapy that when you push on them are extremely painful but otherwise you don't feel them. My insurance paid for a couple of weeks of therapy but somehow the therapist was not quite getting it right. It's hard to explain. It didn't help a bit.
However, with kind people like yourself, writing in with possible diagnoses, I have a fighting chance of getting some help with this. I will look up the MALS as it is a possibility. Thank you very much.
Replies to "I have come to believe that it could be something like what you describe. One thing..."
I appreciate you sharing your experiences with tightness around the rib cage. While those of us on Connect are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose, this symptom has been discussed by other members. You might be interested in the discussion about Slipped Rib Syndrome, here is the link for that discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/slipping-rib-syndrome/. Tightness around the rib cage can be referred to as MS Hug and is common in folks with Multiple Sclerosis. Here is a link to an article about MS Hug, https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/ms-hug.
I encourage you to keep searching for answers as you have been. Persistence is important when trying to find help for a hard-to-diagnosis problem.
What type of specialists have you seen about this symptom?
@gdanker I have similar issues with rib cage tightness. I also get tight near the diaphragm at the bottom of the rib cage. My issues come from thoracic outlet syndrome, and some cervical spine problems. I am a spine surgery patient fused at C5/C6 because of an old injury that caused a whiplash, that deteriorated with aging 20 years. One side of my chest gets tighter and doesn't expand enough.
My physcial therapist is an expert level in the John Barns methods of myofascial release which has helped me a lot. It sounds to me like this may help you. You are describing tight fascia. The key to releasing the tissue is doing it gently and holding the pressure; nothing aggressive. Here is our discussion where you can learn more about it. This is specialized training so not all PTs will know how to do this, and it is very hands on and they feel the tension patterns in your body with their hands.
Here is the discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy with lots of information in the first pages. There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/ .
-Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you heard of MFR therapy before?
I had exactly that! I feel you need to get home checked for mold or other something in air. When I moved to current house it disappeared! Still very occasionally get that tightness in ribcage during damp times or when ac/ heat filter needs changed.... I had this current house fogged before moving in as this house was really bad.. This is not medical prob
lem. Although now after years of tight grabbing ribs, no pain, my lungs are very sensitive. Check house or filter!!?
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If you want more information on MALS, there are 2 great Facebook pages I belong to. One is called MALS Pals and the other is MALS Community Awareness. At the top of these pages are all types of info and files that might help. Good Luck.