All Conditions
Core & Spine

Chest & Thoracic Conditions

Rib joint dysfunction, thoracic stiffness, and breathing pattern correction.

Overview

Chest and thoracic conditions are often overlooked in physiotherapy — but they can be surprisingly impactful on daily life. Rib joint pain, thoracic stiffness, and disordered breathing patterns all fall within our scope of practice. If you are experiencing chest-wall pain, thoracic tightness, or breathing-related discomfort, our physiotherapists have the skills to help.

Conditions we treat
Costochondritis
Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum, causing anterior chest pain and tenderness.
Rib Joint Dysfunction
Stiffness or irritation of the costo-vertebral or costo-transverse joints causing localised chest-wall pain.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Compression of nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib causing arm pain and tingling.
Breathing Pattern Disorders
Dysfunctional breathing mechanics contributing to pain, anxiety, and reduced exercise tolerance.
Post-Cardiac Rehab Support
Physiotherapy support for mobility, breathing, and deconditioning following cardiac events or procedures.
Common symptoms
  • Sharp or aching pain in the chest wall or ribs
  • Pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing
  • Thoracic stiffness — difficulty rotating or extending
  • Shortness of breath disproportionate to exertion
  • Tingling or numbness into the arm from the chest region
  • Upper back tightness closely associated with chest symptoms
You don't need a diagnosis to book. Just describe what you're feeling and we'll help identify the cause.
Our approach

How we treat
chest & thoracic conditions.

01

Rib & Thoracic Mobilizations

Manual techniques to restore rib joint and thoracic spine mobility and reduce pain.

02

Breath Retraining Exercises

Restoring efficient diaphragmatic breathing and reducing compensatory accessory muscle use.

03

Soft Tissue & Myofascial Release

Releasing intercostal and thoracic musculature to reduce chest-wall tension and tightness.

04

Postural Correction

Addressing thoracic kyphosis and shoulder rounding that compress the rib cage and restrict breathing.

05

Graded Cardiopulmonary Conditioning

Progressive exercise for post-cardiac patients to safely rebuild aerobic capacity and confidence.

What to expect

Your journey to
recovery.

01

Thoracic & Breathing Assessment

We assess rib mobility, thoracic range of motion, breathing pattern, and postural alignment comprehensively.

02

Pain Relief & Mobility Restoration

Manual therapy and modalities to reduce chest-wall pain and restore thoracic movement.

03

Breathing & Postural Retraining

Diaphragmatic exercises, postural correction, and mobility work for sustained long-term improvement.

04

Progressive Functional Return

Graded return to activity, work, and exercise with ongoing assessment of chest-wall function.

Related services
Injury Rehabilitation
Active Aging
Ready to get started?

You don't have to keep
living with this pain.

Book a free screening and let our physiotherapists assess what is going on — and outline the fastest path to your recovery.