Rib Pain

That sharp pain when you take a deep breath, twist, or reach overhead might not be your heart or lungs. It could be your ribs.
Rib pain is a common but misunderstood problem that often starts in the spine, not the chest. When ribs move even slightly out of alignment, the pain can feel alarming, stabbing, dull, or tight enough to make every breath uncomfortable.

What’s Really Happening When Your Ribs Hurt

Your ribs attach to both your spine and sternum through joints and soft tissues. These joints are designed to move slightly with every breath.
When posture strain, an awkward twist, or inflammation disrupt that motion, it can irritate the joints and surrounding nerves.
Common causes include:

• Misalignment or subluxation of the thoracic spine or rib joints
• Muscle strain or tension from lifting, coughing, or poor posture
• Inflammation (costochondritis) where the ribs meet the sternum
• Secondary irritation from acid reflux, shallow breathing, or old injuries

Because the pain often wraps around the chest or radiates into the shoulder blades, many people mistake rib dysfunction for heart, lung, or digestive issues.

Why It Gets Worse Without Treatment

When ribs don’t move properly, every breath or twist reinforces the irritation. Over time:

• Muscles tighten to protect the area
• Nerves become hypersensitive
• Breathing becomes shallow, reducing oxygen flow and core stability

This can create a vicious cycle of pain, fatigue, and even anxiety because the discomfort feels “internal.”

How Chiropractic Care Helps Rib Pain

Chiropractic adjustments gently restore motion to the joints where the ribs meet the spine.
At Active Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture, your provider will:

1. Evaluate your posture, movement, and alignment with precision... no guessing.
2. Identify restricted joints through palpation and, when needed, diagnostic imaging.
3. Perform gentle adjustments to realign the rib and spine, relieving joint pressure.
4. Use supportive therapies like soft tissue release, stretching, or acupuncture (in select clinics) to reduce inflammation and restore flexibility.

Patients often describe immediate relief. Breathing feels easier, chest tightness fades, and movement returns within minutes.

When to Seek Care

If you’ve noticed pain when breathing, sneezing, or twisting your upper body, especially if it’s been recurring, don’t ignore it. What starts as mild soreness can progress into chronic stiffness or nerve irritation.

Chiropractic care offers a safe, drug-free, and highly effective way to relieve rib pain, improve mobility, and prevent future flare-ups.

Don’t Wait Until Every Breath Hurts

The sooner your ribs move freely again, the faster your pain resolves and the easier it becomes to breathe deeply and live fully.

Don’t wait until pain makes every movement a struggle. Call today to schedule your rib pain evaluation:

• Grand Island: (308) 384-4955
• Hastings: (402) 249-5500
• Kearney: (308) 455-1575
• Columbus: (402) 564-0383