A diaphragm sprain is my latest unexpected injury after a recent fall

Did you know you can sprain your diaphragm? I certainly didn’t. Although it’s rare, you can injure it like any other muscle.

The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me after a recent fall off a horse. At first, I thought I’d pulled a muscle in my back, but it turned out that I’d actually broken a rib. Then, about 10 days after the fall, I dislocated that rib. Next, I learned that at some point, I’d injured my diaphragm pretty significantly.

Because I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), I’m used to strange things happening to my body, but this one might be the weirdest. Because of all the nerves that run through that area of the torso, I wound up feeling nauseous from the injury.

Recommended Reading

August 22, 2025 News by Steve Bryson, PhD

Reduced brain blood flow linked to dizziness in hypermobile EDS

Can’t catch a break

A few days after I dislocated my rib, I started dry heaving shortly after getting out of bed in the morning. I assumed it was from pain and stress. While that was certainly a part of it, the dry heaves worsened day after day. Then, in a session with my massage therapist, when she started working on my diaphragm, I nearly vomited on the massage table.

My diaphragm started to spasm, and I realized that I’d been experiencing this sensation for a few days. When I woke up the next day, I started dry heaving again, and my diaphragm began to spasm out of control. The only way I could make it stop was to lie flat on my back. With EDS, I’m used to tight muscles, as it’s how my body tries to compensate for being too loose. But this was another level, and it was probably exacerbated by EDS.

The only way I can think to describe it is like repeatedly doing intense, involuntary crunches. With a broken and dislocated rib, the pain spread to my back, too. Frustrated, I didn’t know what to do.

Luckily, a family friend who is a thoracic surgeon told me that what I was experiencing wasn’t abnormal, due to the type of injury I’d sustained. That was reassuring, but it still hurt!

He told me that the muscle relaxers I’d been prescribed at urgent care can sometimes be helpful, so I tried one that night. I’m usually hesitant to take new medications, but in this case, I clearly needed it.

Thankfully, between the muscle relaxers and extra massage sessions, my diaphragm has calmed down quite a bit. I’m still sore and likely will be for a while, but at least the pain is a dull ache. It’s been a tough few weeks, but I hope I’m on the upswing. I promise not to overdo it, which would land me back at square one.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.