Pain in the mid-back, low back, or thoracic spine can often lead to or occur with rib pain.

Symptoms of rib, lumbar, and thoracic dysfunction include:

• Pain in the lower back and sacral regions

• Middle to upper back pain

• Increased upper back flexion (kyphosis)

• Pain that refers into the ribs

• Stiffness in the upper spine

• Difficulty rotating the spine

• Difficulty breathing and taking a deep breath in

• Pain in the ribs with breathing

• Pain that can refer to the hips or shoulders from the mid-upper back

• Pain or numbness that refers into the legs and arms

• Pain with lifting and squatting

Physical therapy can identify the root cause of your thoracic and rib pain. Treatment often involves a combination of manual therapy and progressive exercises.