📚During inspiration, our ribs lift and the ribcage expands allowing the lungs to fill with air. Interestingly, our ribs lift through different movement patterns depending on which portion of the ribcage you are examining.

1️⃣In the upper ribs (ribs 1-6), the pump handle motion is seen. As these ribs elevate, the front of the rib cage and sternum move upward and forward, increasing the front-to-back diameter of the chest.

2️⃣With ribs 7-10, The bucket handle motion is seen. As these ribs lift, they move more out to the sides, increasing the side-to-side width of the rib cage.

3️⃣Lastly, ribs 11-12 (floating ribs) do not attach to the sternum (breastbone) and move through a caliper motion. These ribs swing laterally outward like the opening of a caliper to help increase the width of the lower thorax.

✅Together, these motions help the thorax expand in multiple directions during inhalation. If rib cage or thoracic spine mobility is limited, breathing mechanics can become less efficient and nearby areas like the neck, upper back, and trunk may end up compensating.

👉If you have rib or thoracic spine issues, I would recommend starting with the exercises in the thoracic and rib pain program here in the app. Here is a link for that program.

https://membership.rehabscience.com/programs/thoracic-pain?category_id=259689