Rib dysfunction

A rib forms two small joints with your mid-back, or thoracic, vertebra. The ribs are attached to the spine by several muscle, tendon and ligament attachments. There are three layers of muscle between each rib that move them when breathing in and out. Overworking these tissues are almost always are involved with rib dysfunction.

Rib dysfunction, often referred to as a joint being "out of place", where a rib's movement is poorly coordinated with its surrounding tissues, can lead to pain. It is often associated with spinal dysfunction.

Rib pain can be experienced as burning, tearing, ripping, stabbing, sharp shooting, aching, soreness, tenderness or gnawing in character. Pain may radiate from the back around the side of your chest to the front. Rib dysfunction is often associated with breathing difficulties such as an inability to take in a full breath or sharp pain when breathing in.  

The intensity of the pain does not always indicate the seriousness of the problem. A serious condition may be associated with mild pain and severe pain can arise from a relatively minor problem