How to Sleep with Broken Ribs

Sleeping with broken ribs can be painful, especially if you can't sleep in your normal position due to the pain. To make it easier to sleep with broken ribs, you will need to adjust your sleep position and find ways to reduce your pain before you go to bed. You should also follow your doctor's advice for controlling your pain and contact your doctor as soon as possible if you are having trouble sleeping because of your rib pain.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making Yourself Comfortable

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    Pick the most comfortable position for you. You may find that sleeping on your back is the most comfortable position when you have broken ribs, or you may find it more comfortable to sleep on your side. Both of these sleep positions are okay to use when you have broken ribs. Sleeping on your side or on your back will also help to make breathing easier.[1] Try out different positions to find the most comfortable position for you.
    • Try sleeping on the injured side. If your broken ribs are only on one side, some physicians recommend that you sleep on the injured side because it restricts the movement of your injured ribs and allows you to breathe more deeply on your uninjured side. However, if this position is painful for you, then do not try to sleep on your injured side.
    • Try sleeping in a recliner. For some people with broken ribs, sleeping in a recliner is more comfortable than sleeping in a bed.
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    Use pillows to increase your comfort. Pillows and cushions can help to prevent you from rolling over in the night, which can be painful may even cause you to wake up in the night. If you are sleeping on your back, then try placing a pillow under each of your arms to keep you from rolling onto your sides. You can also place a couple of pillows under your knees to reduce some of the strain on your back.[2]
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    Practice deep breathing. Broken ribs may cause you to take shallow breaths due to the pain associated with moving your chest too much. For this reason, it is a good idea to do some deep breathing throughout the day and right before bed as well. Practicing deep breathing can help you to relax and it will also ensure that you are getting plenty of oxygen.[3]
    • To practice deep breathing, lie on your back or recline in a chair and slowly take in a deep breath. Count to five as you take in the breath and then slowly exhale out as you count down from five. As you breathe, try to pull the air down into your belly with your diaphragm.
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    Limit your movement while you sleep. During the first few days, you will need to limit coughing, twisting, turning, and stretching. This might be harder to remember or control at night. Just try to keep in mind that your ribs are connected to many parts of your upper body, so movement can increase your pain.
    • Try keeping an extra pillow handy so that you can brace it against your ribs when you need to cough during the night.[4]
    • Avoid wrapping your ribs to minimize movement. Wrapping your ribs increases your risk of collapsed lungs and lung infections.[5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Reducing Pain While You Sleep

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    Take pain medications as directed by your physician. If your doctor has prescribed pain medications for you, then taking your medication about 30 minutes before you go to bed may help to control your pain. Make sure that you follow your doctor’s instructions for how to use your medication and ask your doctor as soon as possible if you have any questions or problems.[6]
    • Keep in mind that some pain medications may make it hard to stay asleep because they can cause sleep apnea. For example, opioid medications such as codeine and morphine can cause you to stop breathing and wake you up in the night.[7]
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    Try over-the-counter pain relievers. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.[8] If you do not have prescription pain medicine for your broken ribs, then you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine. Check with your physician for a specific recommendation of what or how much to take. Do not take more than the recommended dosage.[9]
    • If you have or have had heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcers or internal bleeding, ask your physician to see if you can safely take one of these medications.
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    Apply ice to your ribs. Ice will help to numb the pain a bit and it may also help to reduce the swelling. During the first two days after your injury, you may benefit from using a covered or wrapped ice pack for about 20 minutes every hour. After the first couple of days, you can use the ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes at least three times per day.[10] [11]
    • Try applying an ice pack just before you go to bed to help with the pain.
    • Avoid using heat on broken ribs, especially if there is swelling. Heat increases blood flow to the area of application, which can make swelling worse.[12]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Facilitating Healing

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    Sleep as much as possible. Sleep is essential for your body’s healing processes, so make sure that you are getting lots of rest.[13] You should try to sleep for at least eight hours every night and nap during the day if you feel tired. Some good ways to make it easier to fall asleep include:
    • Going to sleep at the same time every night
    • Turning off all TVs, computers, tablets, and phones
    • Making sure that your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet
    • Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol before you go to bed
    • Do not eat at least two hours before bed
    • Doing something relaxing before bed, such as listening to soothing music or taking a shower[14]
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    Move now and then during the day. Staying in bed all day is not a good idea when you have broken ribs. During the day, you should get up and walk around now and then. This will help you to get more oxygen and clear mucus from your lungs as well.[15]
    • Try to get up and walk around your home for a few minutes at least once every two hours.
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    Cough if you need to cough. Not coughing when you need to cough can lead to a lung infection. Coughing might be painful when you have broken ribs, but it is important to do it anyways.[16]
    • Hold a blanket or pillow against your chest as you cough to help make it a little less painful.
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    Eat healthy foods. Getting adequate nutrition is also essential to your body’s healing process.[17] Make sure that you are getting a balanced diet as you recover. Your diet should include:
    • fruits, such as apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas
    • vegetables, such as broccoli, peppers, spinach, and carrots
    • lean protein, such as skinless chicken, lean ground beef, and shrimp
    • dairy products, such as yogurt, milk, and cheese
    • complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole grain bread
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    Quit smoking. Quitting smoking may help to speed up your recovery as well.[18] If you are a smoker, then now is a great time to stop. Talk to your doctor about medications and smoking cessation programs that may make it easier for you to quit.
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Warnings

  • Talk your doctor as soon as possible if you are having trouble sleeping due to pain from your broken ribs. Getting plenty of good quality rest is important for healing.
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References

  1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Understanding_COPD/hic_Pulmonary_Rehabilitation_Is_it_for_You/hic_Positions_to_Reduce_Shortness_of_Breath
  2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Understanding_COPD/hic_Pulmonary_Rehabilitation_Is_it_for_You/hic_Positions_to_Reduce_Shortness_of_Breath
  3. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  4. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000539.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  6. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000539.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/living-with-insomnia-11/pain-and-sleep?page=2
  8. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  9. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000539.htm
  1. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000539.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  3. ↑ http://healthcare.utah.edu/healthlibrary/related/doc.php?type=1&id=4483
  4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1443671/
  5. ↑ https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene
  6. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  7. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  8. ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/AfterCareInformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uf8278
  9. ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rib-injuries/Pages/Introduction.aspx

About This Article

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Medically reviewed by:
Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
This article was medically reviewed by Jonas DeMuro, MD. Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow. This article has been viewed 399,171 times.
181 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: May 6, 2022
Views: 399,171
Categories: Sleep Affected by Illness or Pain | Chest Health | Bone Fractures

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

Sleeping with broken ribs can be difficult, but you can make yourself more comfortable by placing pillows under your arms and knees so you don’t move too much in the night, which could be painful. Alternatively, try sleeping on your injured side to restrict the movement of your broken ribs. Besides choosing a comfortable sleeping position, apply an ice pack to your ribs for 20 minutes right before bed to reduce swelling and numb the pain. If you’re in a lot of pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Just make sure to talk to your doctor if your pain doesn’t improve, since you may need additional treatment. To learn how to help your ribs heal more quickly, read more from our Medical co-author!

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