Your rib cage plays a big role in pain management.
Why this matters:
When you take a deep breath, it is more than just a downwards motion of your diaphragm. We also experience (or should) an expansion of your ribs. They should get bigger in a 360 degree action. If there is little to no movement, this lack of motion needs to be made up somewhere else. Oftentimes it presents itself in upper neck tension (upper traps doing the work) or back pain and pinching. Tight ribs are often caused by sitting too much and holding onto too much tension. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Action steps:
Take a look in the mirror and take a deep breath. How do your ribs move? Do they go just up and down or do they expand out towards the side and in the front? You may have a better view by going shirtless in front of the mirror. If you notice any imbalances, you may be lacking rib motion. This video can help you expand your rib cage so that you can release your back and minimize your pain. Let me know how this goes.
