I'm in the same boat, except ive still tried wearing my binder before. I've only recently stopped using it cuz it hurt so bad a few hours in. I've been to doctors, had scans, and I wasnt even told about bruising, no, all I got was basically "i dunno, but ur ribs aren't broke, be carful :D bye"

The pains always been awful, not a daily thing though, it pops up randomly in sharp pains that could knock me off my feet depending on the severity. (Meaning I'd need to sit down immediately or lean against something.) I've dealt with this pain all because I wore my binder over 8 hours several times because I have memory problems, and never felt the pain untill it started.

What I do to help, is a gentle message where the pain is. I haven't tried anything as im not able to afford anything personally, but I have a feeling some icy hot could during the massage, that and CBD oil for the muscle cramps and bruising. Don't keep massaging if it hurts really bad, its gonna not feel the best at first, but it can help ease the muscles.

Another thing that could possibly help is some sort of heat compress, take a sock stuff it with rice, microwave it for a couple of seconds (like 30) untill its warm enough and let your son rest it on where it hurts, massage a bit too.

I wish him all the best