I've cracked ribs twice - once I went to sit on a chair that was no longer there (yes, I'd had a few drinks - misspent youth!) and the second time from a bear hug from a teenage boy I was pulling out of a lake. He'd fallen out of a boat and couldn't swim. Both times the docs said nothing to be done but pain killers. BUT you should get it checked out - hope you're there now - because a broken rib can pierce soft tissue (I think, Gai correct me if I'm wrong!) The bad news is cracked ribs take a while to heal. The second time it happened to me, I was working as a gardener and was off a few weeks - well, the heavy stuff at least! :? Let us know how you get on, K.