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All corrective movement strategies

Corrective movement strategy

Rib Flare

Explore breathing, trunk, and reaching options without forcing the ribs into a fixed position.

  • reset tolerance
  • 8 min
  • Spine & rib cage
  • Hip & pelvis
Rib Flare

Typically overactive / tight

Typically underactive / weak

Tight muscles

Pectoralis minor＋

Pectoralis minor

Muscle dictionary
Anterior anatomical illustration highlighting the pectoralis minor muscle
Pixelsquid, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Image source
Functions
Draws the scapula anteriorly and inferiorly against the thoracic wall; contributing to scapular downward rotation; and may assist forced inspiration when the scapula is fixed
Origin
Ribs three to five
Insertion
Coracoid process of the scapula
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limbs
Serratus anterior＋

Serratus anterior

Muscle dictionary
Anatomical illustration highlighting the serratus anterior muscle on the side of the rib cage
Serratus anterior, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Image source
Functions
Protracts the scapula; assists upward rotation; and helps hold the scapula against the rib cage
Origin
Upper eight or nine ribs
Insertion
Anterior medial border of the scapula
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limbs
Serratus posterior inferior＋

Serratus posterior inferior

Muscle dictionary
Posterior Anatomography rendering highlighting the serratus posterior inferior muscle in red
Anatomography / DBCLS, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.1 JP
Image source
Functions
Assists depression and proprioceptive control of the lower ribs during breathing
Origin
Spinous processes from T11 through L2 and thoracolumbar fascia
Insertion
Inferior borders of ribs nine through twelve
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Head, Neck, and Back
Serratus posterior superior＋

Serratus posterior superior

Muscle dictionary
Posterior Anatomography rendering highlighting the serratus posterior superior muscle in red
Anatomography / DBCLS, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.1 JP
Image source
Functions
Assists elevation and proprioceptive control of the upper ribs during breathing
Origin
Nuchal ligament and spinous processes from C7 through T3
Insertion
Superior borders of ribs two through five
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Head, Neck, and Back

Weakened muscles

External oblique＋

External oblique

Muscle dictionary
OpenStax layered abdominal wall illustration identifying the external oblique muscle
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Image source
Functions
Compresses the abdomen; flexes and laterally flexes the trunk; rotates the trunk to the opposite side
Origin
External surfaces of ribs five through twelve
Insertion
Linea alba, pubic tubercle, and anterior iliac crest
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Axial Muscles of the Abdominal Wall and Thorax
Rectus abdominis＋

Rectus abdominis

Muscle dictionary
Anterior anatomical illustration highlighting the rectus abdominis muscle
Chrizz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Image source
Functions
Flexes the trunk; compresses abdominal contents; and assists control of pelvic position
Origin
Pubic crest and pubic symphysis
Insertion
Xiphoid process and costal cartilages of ribs five through seven
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Axial Muscles of the Abdominal Wall and Thorax