Slipping rib syndrome — also known as rib subluxation, rib dysfunction, or costal margin syndrome — happens when one of the lower ribs (usually the 8th, 9th, or 10th) becomes overly mobile at its cartilage attachment.
Instead of staying snug and stable against your ribcage, the rib “slips” or shifts slightly out of place. That can cause:
- Sharp, stabbing, or catching pain (especially with breathing or twisting)
- A popping or clicking sensation
- Localised tenderness or inflammation
- Pain that mimics muscle strain or even heartburn
- Anxiety — because the pain can be intense and sudden
It’s common in people who’ve had:
- Poor posture or spinal misalignments
- Hypermobile joints
- Repetitive strain or twisting injuries
- Trauma to the chest or torso (even mild)
So, Can a Chiropractor Help?
Yes — but only if they treat the root cause, not just the rib.
The rib didn’t just decide to slip.
It’s usually the result of poor structural support from the spine and surrounding muscles. Your body’s compensating — and the rib ends up moving too much because something else isn’t moving enough.
At The Backstory, we look at how your body is really holding itself up.
We don’t just push the rib back in and hope for the best.
We use Advanced Biostructural Correction™ (ABC) to correct the structural misalignments that might be overloading your ribcage in the first place — especially in the spine and mid-back (where ribs attach).
When the structure improves, the tension reduces.
The compensation eases.
And that rogue rib usually settles down on its own — or is far easier (and safer) to correct.
Final Thought
Slipping rib syndrome might feel random — but it rarely is.
It’s a message. A sign that your body’s trying to hold itself together… and something’s not quite right.
A chiropractor trained in structural correction can:
- Assess your whole posture and spine
- Identify what’s really putting pressure on your ribs
- Gently correct the structure that’s setting you up for flare-ups
- Help prevent it from coming back
