What we treat Mid back and ribs
Rib Dysfunction
Rib dysfunction occurs when the joints connecting your ribs to your spine or sternum become restricted or misaligned. This mechanical issue can cause sharp pain, limited movement, and difficulty breathing, often mimicking other internal conditions. At Hoban Physical Therapy, we focus on identifying the specific joint involvement to restore fluid rib mechanics and long-term comfort.
Common Symptoms
Sudden, sharp pain in the upper or middle back that may travel toward the chest.
Deep inhalations or sneezing often aggravate the rib joint, causing noticeable discomfort.
The affected area is sensitive to touch, especially directly over the rib-spine connection.
Difficulty twisting or bending sideways due to stiffness and localized joint guarding.
Pain may wrap around to the front of the body, following the path of the rib cage.
Surrounding muscles may tighten significantly as a response to the joint mechanical issue.
Professional Diagnosis
The diagnostic process at Hoban Physical Therapy begins with a comprehensive physical examination. We look closely at your posture, breathing mechanics, and how your rib cage moves in relation to your spine and shoulder girdle during everyday activities.
Through precise movement screenings and targeted joint mobility checks, our expert therapists identify specific segments of rib dysfunction. This evidence-based assessment ensures that we pinpoint the biological source of your pain rather than just treating the symptoms.
Targeted joint mobilizations to restore proper rib mechanics and alleviate acute pain spikes.
Individualized Manual Therapy & Correction
OUR TREATMENT STRATEGY
Release of tension in intercostal muscles and surrounding fascia to improve breathing capacity.
Neuromuscular re-education to ensure long-term stability and prevent recurring dysfunction.
Starting Exercises for Recovery
- Lie on your back with knees bent
- Place hands on lower ribs
- Inhale deeply, feeling ribs expand outward
- Exhale slowly, letting ribs fall
- Sit upright in a firm chair
- Cross arms over your chest
- Gently rotate mid-back to one side
- Hold for 5 seconds and repeat
- Lie on your side with knees tucked
- Open the top arm like a book
- Follow the hand with your eyes
- Keep hips stacked and grounded
Tell us what you want to return to?
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If it sounds like what you have, an evaluation is where we find out properly.