Bruised ribs -- much like fractured ribs -- can occur as the result of a fall on the chest, in motor vehicle accident or during high-impact sports. Bruised ribs can be painful and most often heal on their own without medical intervention. Depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor may recommend rehabilitation to promote healing and help you to return to your normal activities.
Prognosis
It can take six to 10 weeks for rib injuries to heal. With complications or damage to your organs -- especially your lungs -- your recovery time may be longer. But you are likely to make a full recovery from bruised ribs. Your doctor may advise that you avoid strenuous physical activity as well as the activity that caused your injury as you recover.
Physical Therapy
If your bruised ribs are severe or if you are older, have poor posture or a compromised respiratory system, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help promote healing and maintain the function of your lungs. The goal of physical therapy is to reduce your pain, return you to your normal activities and help to prevent respiratory complications.
Types of Therapy
A physical therapist may used cold or heat applications to help reduce discomfort and swelling temporarily. Hot and cold therapy is often used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory medications. A physical therapist may also opt to use deep breathing exercises to help promote proper expansion of your lungs, prevent muscle spasms and help prevent excessive lung secretions.
Stretching can help reduce discomfort, increase your shoulders' range of motion, improve your posture and promote proper chest expansion. Stretching during physical therapy may focus on your shoulders and core. You may also be provided with a home exercise program to work on.
Duration
The duration of your physical therapy largely depends on the severity of your injury, your pain level and the recommendations of your doctor. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for physical therapy. This prescription will include the duration as well as the types of physical therapy your doctor wishes you receive. Physical therapy normally lasts three weeks, and you might attend therapy twice a week. Rehabilitation may be ongoing, according to the discretion of your doctor and physical therapist. If you having continued pain, you will be reevaluated by your doctor before continuing with your rehabilitation program.
