Lower Rib Pain

Common Causes of Lower Rib Pain

The symptoms of lower rib pain, also known as twelfth rib, rib-tip syndrome, and clicking rib syndrome, are unmistakable.  If you are experiencing severe pain while breathing deeply or moving in certain ways, you may well have lower rib pain.  While the symptoms are easy to recognize, the cures may be more difficult.  There are many different things that can attribute to this uncomfortable problem and this article will hopefully help you understand some of the many causes that may be causing you discomfort or pain.



Here are a few of the reasons that you may be experiencing lower rib and general pain in the ribs:

Due to the many different causes of chest pain and lower chest pain, it is recommended that you see a physician and discuss your exact symptoms, pains and discomforts.  In some cases, lower rib pain can be indicative of a more serious problem, so it is always best to consult your physician if you are in doubt.

Your physician will most likely ask you a series of questions to help determine the root cause of your chest pain.  To prepare you for your consultation, here is a sample list of questions your doctor may ask:

  1. Are you experiencing any other pains with your chest pain?

  2. Have you had any past damage to your ribs or chest area?

  3. Where is the exact location of the pain?

  4. Has the pain been progressively getting worse?

  5. How long have you been having chest pains?

  6. Is the pain a sharp pain or a dull pain?

  7. Is the pain on the left or right side?  Or is the pain equal on both sides of the chest?

  8. Does the pain get worse with heavy breathing and/or coughing?

  9. Does the pain feel like pressure?  Sometimes this may be a symptom of heart attack.

  10. Are you feeling more pain during physical activities such as bending and twisting?

  11. Is the pain steady and consistent and present all of the time or does the pain only occur during certain times or activities? 

Unfortunately, some lower rib pain can only be treated with time and rest.  Other times, pain can indicate a more serious problem.  If your family physician recommends time and rest and the pain does not improve within the next couple of weeks, you should have the condition reevaluated, as it could indicate a more serious ailment.