Hi doctor, I was kicked under my right breast six days ago. I thought the pain I felt was just muscle so I used rapid relief spray but still the pain is there. The area is slightly swollen and I feel pain when I bend, or when I put pressure on the right side. Also I cannot carry things that I used to carry using my right hand. Can it be that my rib is broken or is it a muscle strain? What can I use to ease the pain?
Hello. Thank you for providing the brief history. I will advice to take up an X-ray. Any muscular injury will heal within a day or three maximum. If the pain is persisting, then better to take an X-ray to rule out any hairline fracture of the rib.  Post X-ray, you may need to use taping for the area to avoid excessive pressure over the tender area. Breathing exercises while placing hand over the tender area will help muscle to improve and bone will heal, if fractured. Kindly avoid any lifting of heavy objects and bending. Do slow breathing and avoid pressure over the tender area. You should be fine in 3 to 4 weeks of time as the healing process of the fracture takes place, if present. Please revert back with the chest AP view X-ray report.