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Mojo Chat is the virtual physical therapy platform brought to you by Mojo Health
Have you ever felt a pinching sensation in your ribs when you take a deep breath? You might feel it below your underarm, or a few inches further behind your back, or a few inches forward in your chest area. Sometimes we get this pain in a seemingly random fashion, and we don’t even know what caused it. Doing things like twisting the body or reaching overhead can set off this pain, and it can begin in an instant. This condition can be what is called a rib dysfunction, or it might be a simple muscle spasm. Either way, it’s annoying because you feel it every time you take a deep breath or twist your body. It can even hinder sleep and cause backaches in nearby areas. This is a lesser discussed body pain, but read on because Mojo Chat is here for you.
These issues are often subtle at first. You may feel a “catch” when you twist, sharp pain with a deep breath or cough, or aching between the shoulder blades that doesn’t seem to go away. Many people compensate by limiting movement, changing posture, or breathing more shallowly. Over time, these patterns can increase stiffness, muscle guarding, and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or low back.
What is going on? Give me the technical explanation please! Okay, here you go… Rib dysfunctions and thoracic chest muscle spasms occur when the joints where the ribs meet the spine lose normal motion or become irritated. The thoracic spine and rib cage work together to allow rotation, posture control, and efficient breathing. When this system isn’t moving well, the surrounding muscles—such as the intercostals, paraspinals, rhomboids, and trapezius—often tighten or spasm in response. Here’s the important part: rib and thoracic dysfunctions can significantly impact overall function.
If you value your overall health, it’s best to not ignore rib pains. Restricted rib motion can alter breathing mechanics, reduce spinal mobility, and place extra strain on surrounding joints. Left unaddressed, this can contribute to chronic upper-back pain, recurring muscle spasms, headaches, or even shoulder problems. Your rib cage tells an important story—and it’s worth paying attention to.
Why Rib and Thoracic Chest Mobility Matters
Healthy rib and thoracic chest motion supports:
When rib movement is limited, the body often compensates at the neck, shoulders, or lumbar spine. Over time, this imbalance can lead to muscle tightness, inflammation, and recurring pain with everyday activities.
Common Causes of Rib Dysfunction and Thoracic Chest Muscle Spasms
Some common contributors include:
More serious or persistent causes can include:
Rib and thoracic chest issues are extremely common in modern life, especially with long hours of sitting and screen use. Unfortunately, many people mistake these symptoms for “just a sore muscle” and ignore them until pain becomes persistent or limiting.
How Rib Dysfunction Can Lead to Bigger Problems
Ignoring rib and thoracic chest pain doesn’t just affect your upper back. Compensation patterns can lead to:
When rib dysfunction is combined with anxiety, symptoms can feel alarming and may even mimic chest pain associated with a heart attack. This occurs because the thoracic spine plays a key role in regulating the body’s adrenaline-driven fight-or-flight response (the sympathetic nervous system). In fact, many non-cardiac causes of chest pain evaluated in emergency rooms are ultimately attributed to anxiety. In our clinics, we treat patients every day with everything from mild thoracic chest stiffness to complex rib-related pain. Addressing these issues early is far more effective than waiting until muscle spasms become chronic or spread to other areas.
Quick Relief Is Readily Available
With Mojo Chat, we provide a clear and accurate assessment of your rib and thoracic chest movement. Our doctors of physical therapy help determine whether your symptoms are related to joint restriction, muscle spasm, posture, or breathing mechanics. If your condition is straightforward, our guided self-treatment plans can quickly reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve comfort with daily movement.
Built for Better Breathing and Pain-Free Movement
At Mojo Health, we help patients overcome rib pain and thoracic stiffness every day—and the results speak for themselves. Through our online physical therapy platform, Mojo Chat, you can begin improving mobility and reducing pain from home, on your schedule, with expert guidance available 24/7.
Mojo Chat starts with easy-to-answer questions about your pain, posture, breathing, and daily activities—the same questions our physical therapists ask in person. You can also record a short video to show us what movements feel restricted or painful and explain how your symptoms began.
A licensed physical therapist reviews your case and delivers a clear diagnosis along with a personalized 14-day treatment plan you can begin immediately. Mojo Chat guides you daily, allows you to ask questions via text or video, and adapts your plan as you improve. Our therapists track your progress to ensure you’re moving better and breathing comfortably. And get this—86% of users who complete the full 14-day plan report significant to full improvement. If additional care is needed, Mojo Chat connects you with trusted in-person physical therapy clinics nearby.
Don’t Ignore Rib Pain or Thoracic Chest Spasms
If rib pain, upper-back stiffness, or muscle spasms are limiting your comfort or movement, don’t wait. Start a Mojo Chat case today and take the first step toward easier breathing and pain-free motion. If your employer offers Mojo Chat, check with Human Resources for a coupon code—or simply use a credit card to get started.