Could your back pain be caused by a rib?

Rib joint dysfunction is a common cause of mid-back (thoracic) pain that is often overlooked.

You don't typically think of ribs when you hear the word "joint" but they are ! They move when you breath to allow room for your lungs to expand and just like any other joint, they can get stuck, irritated and inflamed causing pain.

Signs you may have rib dysfunction:

• Pain when taking a breath, coughing or sneezing

• Pain in the middle of your back when you turn your head

• Tender "knots" or trigger points in the middle of your back that you can't seem to get relief from with massage, lacrosse balls or foam rolling

What causes it?

Rib joint dysfunction can happen:

• After a bout of illness with severe coughing or other respiratory difficulties such as asthma

• Mothers who spend long hours holding their babies, nursing or lifting small children

• Pulling a heavy door or other pulling motions

These are all ways I've seen cause rib problems. Some people with hypermobility disorders are more prone to this as well.

How do you treat it?

These respond very well to rib adjustments. These can be adjusted with an adjustment that looks like a hug or with a small adjusting tool called an Activator. The muscles around it can be sore after so additional muscle work such as cupping, TENS or a massage gun (Hypervolt) can ease this remaining discomfort.