Rib cage “crack” during bench

[Nico Garcia]

Lately my rib age has been aching behind the pec on the right side. It’s annoying but hasn’t really stopped my training. Today during my recovery day on bench on the first rep of my first work set when the bar touched my pecs I felt a pop or a crack and immediate pain. I racked the bar and felt a sharp pain when I took in a deep breath. Now that pain is constant. I doubt it’s broken but do I need to get a doc to check this out or just take a break from bench and do what I can?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Where is the pain relative to your sternum?

[Nico Garcia]

Where is the pain relative to your sternum?

Pretty close to the nipple, maybe an inch in towards the sternum from there.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Probably a cartilage injury. It will heal.

[Nico Garcia]

Probably a cartilage injury. It will heal.

Awesome. Thanks Rip.

[Nico Garcia]

Probably a cartilage injury. It will heal.

Still hurts to breathe and sleep on my back, but getting better pretty quick. Today I stopped after I hit my all warm-ups on squat and deadlift intensity day, but oddly enough able to hit a new PR work set on my press with little pain. I might have to focus on the press as bench press is definitely out for a while.

[Nico Garcia]

Probably a cartilage injury. It will heal.

I’ve figured out this is a rib subluxation. Any ideas on how to deal with it? I still can’t bench any weight.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Just press until you can bench.

[Nico Garcia]

Just press until you can bench.

OK Rip. That’s what I figured and have already been doing.