Short Popular Science: How to Use a Rib Belt the Right Way
Many people, when they have a sore rib or feel tight in the chest after surgery, will grab a rib belt and tie it as tight as possible. They think the tighter it is, the faster they will get better. This is actually the most common mistake.
A rib belt is not made to lock your chest tight. Its main job is to use soft, even pressure to limit the movement of your ribs when you cough or turn around. It eases the sharp pulling pain, and lets you breathe normally without holding your breath all the time.
It is very easy to wear it the right way. Stand straight, lay the brace flat on the sore part of your chest. Do not let the top edge dig into your armpit, and make sure the bottom edge covers your lowest rib. Stick the fasteners tight enough so you can easily slip one finger between the belt and your skin. Never tie it to kill all pain. Too tight a belt will make you hard to breathe, and may even cause lung problems.
Do not wear it for too long, either. You can keep it on all day at first except when you wipe your skin clean. When the pain gets lighter, only wear it when you stand up and walk, and take it off when you lie down to rest. 4 to 6 weeks of use is enough. Wearing it much longer will make your chest muscles weak, and slow down your recovery.
At last, remember it is only a helper for recovery. If you suddenly feel hard to breathe or the pain gets worse after putting it on, do not wait. Take it off right away and go see a doctor.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Medroot Medical for more information.