When I have an injury or inflammation or such, I do work with the specific area. One thing I like to do is "wrapping", like you would wrap a flexible bandage (I have a lot of trouble with my knees, so that works really well for them). I also use a kind of "massage" motion for some areas that trouble me, and that might work for your ribs.

On a purely mundane level, I also recommend using a simple heat pack if you're not already. Heat can work wonders for inflammation. I know they tell you to use ice, but for me, heat has always worked more efficiently and it's certainly a lot more comfortable and pleasant.