Thoracic spine and rib pain is common and can affect posture, breathing and movement. The pain is often located between the shoulder blades, along the thoracic spine or around the ribs, and can sometimes be experienced as stabbing or radiating around the chest.

The cause may be local to the joints, muscles or ribs, but the discomfort can also be affected by the neck, shoulders, working posture or load patterns.

Common risk factors are prolonged sitting, one-sided working postures, stress, reduced mobility, and stiffness or imbalance in the chest, back and shoulder muscles.