Now here is a karting question where I definitley steal the show for top evidence based expert advice !! I can't answer technical karting questions but I can definiteley do these sort of queries . So listen in good all you paddock snake oil purveyors !! Ribs don't have to be broken to bloody well hurt - fracture is unlikely unless you have had a significant impact but you can still get strain and bruising of the intercostal muscles from the forces of driving .This can be made worse by poor fitting seats , rib protectors , bolt heads in seats etc . So analyse the cause . Once you have an injury whether a fracture or bruising / sprain it may well take 6-8 weeks to recover and be very uncomfortable to sleep on the rib or ribs affected - why ? because unlike other body structures we injure the ribs cannot be rested - they are constantly on the move with the essential act of breathing and consequently there is no rest so they can repair . So what helps ? Firstly stay out of your kart and avoid contact sport . Secondly , take regular pain relief like paracetamol or coeine + paracetamol ,and if you can tolerate an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen this would also be a good idea . Thirdly , take ibuprofen regularly ( 3 times a day with food ) for 2-3 weeks as it works differently to Paracetamol and treats the injury and doesn't just relieve pain - take it as a course of treatment not just in response to pain levels . Do not use ibuprofen if you have asthma or stomach problems. Fourthly ,use hot or cold packs on the sore area - whatever you find comforting - don't use cold for long periods though . Fifthly, See your doctor if you develop any cough or shortness of breath . If you have sore ribs there may be a tendency to breathe shallow and cause air stasis in the lungs which increases the risk of infection. Give up the fags if you smoke . Strapping the ribs may feel more comfortable but probably isn't a good idea as it may restrict your ability to expand your lungs properly and increase the chest infection risk . Hope this all helps . I don't charge much for private consults. LOL
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