Submitted by: Pieter Reynolds

When you have a fractured or broken rib, its a horrendous experience and extremely painful. The condition can get on your nerves as people have reported to have difficulty in breathing. If there are multiple fractures, it can result in a collapsed lung. Its true that physical therapy and exercises help in faster recovery after injuries, but do not start exercising unless your doctor gives you a green signal.

Your doctor or therapist will recommend specific activities which you can perform steadily and slowly and increase the intensity of these activities over several weeks. So, lets learn about some of the safest exercises that you can try when you are plagued with fractured ribs.

1. Cardiovascular Exercise

When it comes to cardiovascular exercises, it not only helps in keeping a patients heart healthy but also improves his/her breathing rate. People with fractured ribs do experience breathing difficulties. So, once your physician tells you to go ahead with workouts, try doing gentle cardio activities such as cycling at a gradual and leisurely pace, taking your dog for a walk to the nearest park, etc.

To begin with, be slow; however, you can increase the intensity by increasing the duration of a workout and picking up pace. However, if you experience breathing difficulties, have a word with your doctor before continuing with cardio.

2. Slow but Deep Breathing

During the initial days after an injury, deep breathing helps in averting a collapsed lung. You are required to breathe slow and deep every 2 hours or as suggested by your doctor. Breathe out slowly and continue exhaling deeply for approximately 2-3 minutes. Again, you need to cough a number of times followed by deep breathing. If you find this routine painful, you can request your doctor to prescribe some pain medication. Alternatively, you can also hold a towel or pillow over your affected rib.

3. Weight Training

As far as weight training is concerned, it keeps your bones and muscles strong. Weight training on a regular basis improves bone density and also averts future fractures. When you have broken ribs, do low-intensity weight training exercises like lunges, squats, leg presses and bicep curls. Once your pain weakens and injuries start to heal, you can start with your old routine. Whatever you do, do it slowly and gradually, avoiding workouts that result in aching ribs.

4. Stretching

Stretching activities like Pilates and Yoga will help in loosening your muscles. This gives you respite from pain due to muscle tautness if the injury caused weakens your normal workout routine. Here are some of the things you can try:

– Start with stretches that dont constrict your chest. Make sure that you inform your therapist about your rib fracture.

– Try some stretching at home to lessen pain by bending the elbows. Once you are through with this, extend your elbows to your back.

Before starting any exercise, ensure that you consult with an experienced person offering physical therapy services, as well as your doctor. Be sure to avoid any kind of contact sports for about 6 weeks after the fracture. Avoid exercises that results in falling like jumping or hoping on a trampoline.

About the Author: Pieter Reynolds is familiar with well-known physical therapy professionals. He himself has been benefitted by this therapeutic technique to improve his health condition. In this article, he has shared information about 4 Exercises Patients with Broken Ribs Can Try after collecting information from various sources and from experienced professionals offering physical therapy services in Orange County.For more information please visit @

totalbody.com

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1928432&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet}