Left Side Rib Pains

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello, i have a question about a pain in my ribs. it only happens maybe once or three times a month but it hurts a lot and sometimes it can happen as often as three or five times a day. i know it's not broken because it's not a constant pain and it only happens on the left upper of my ribs. when it happens i notice because when i take a breath it feels like there is a sharp pen being driven into the space between my ribs, sharp and painful it nearly robs me of my breath. the only way to make it stop is to take a really deep breath, and the area will seam to 'pop' like something is shifting or popping back into place. what is happening and should i be concerned?

Dear Krista: If the pain that you described worsens with the deep breathing or coughing or sneezing, possibly you are experiencing an Intercostal neuralgia, which is not a serious condition but very annoying indeed and slow healing. By a spasm or a direct trauma the intercostals muscles and nerves got injured, and that’s why you are feeling that stabbing pain every time you take a deep breath, lean over, sneeze or cough. The suggested strategy would be: please, try to be patient and do not expect an overnight improvement, take anti inflammatory medication and also Vitamin B12 supplement. Local moist heat helps to ease the pain. An again, try to avoid activities that worsen the pain.