Yup! I feel better most of the time when I lay on my left side. There are times though that I have to lay flat on my back, though.

Certain positions irritate it more. If I slouch or semi recline on the couch it irritates it. Sitting too long sometimes causes it to act up more. Sometimes even a simple movement such as a slight twist will cause the nerve to flare and it ripples through my rib cage. I have sometimes wondered if I have a back injury or something. (Queen of Denial Syndrome ) But, I've had X-rays and an MRI and nothing showed except some mild disc degeneration and a few bone spurs as well as the lesions.

Some people like heat on their hug. I can't tolerate heat on my hug and it makes it worse. (I tried it last night.) Ice works best for me.

Barb - Once I get the magnesium cream recipe right I'll let you know. Basically it is dissolving Epsom salt with hot water and adding cream to it. It does help and since summer is coming up and it's so hot, I have trouble with the baths. This is my summer alternative.

BTW - Do any of you feel the muscles "moving" with your hug? I get that all the time. It's not necessarily painful but I can always feel movement in there. It's an odd feeling, kind of like when you are pregnant and can feel the baby moving or like gas moving in your stomach. It's the intercostal muscles that are the painful ones. I often feel like the spasms are so bad they move my ribs.