Crofton Health Clinic
88 Crofton Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1HD
88 Crofton Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1HD
Your health is your future...
This involves the Dorsal part of the spine, comprised of 12 bones (Vertebrae). The rib cage has 12 ribs the first ten attach to the Dorsal vertebrae at the back and come round to their attachment at the front onto the breast plate (Manubrium Sterni). This creates a cage protecting the vital organs such as the Heart and Lungs. The last 2 ribs are short in comparison and hence just attach to the last two Dorsal Vertebrae at the back. The shoulder blades(Scapulae) sit on top of the upper part of the rib cage, held together by a number of layers of Muscles and Tendons. The Spinal cord passes through this area of the spine. Nerves emerge at each vertebrae running through between the ribs in the rib cage. Some of the nerves at this level are also responsible for the functioning of body organs.
Tightness and restriction in movement of the shoulder blades, can be accompanied by a grating rubbing noise. This can be accompanied by pain in the middle of the back, often people complain of difficulty in sitting upright, tiredness in the area and that the pain can spread from the middle of the back to other areas. Because of the close association of the rib cage, pain and discomfort can pass through the rib cage to the sides and front at the breast bone. Sometimes they may experience pins and needles , numbness through the rib cage. If the ribs are badly affected they can interfere with your ability to breath freely, therefore on a deep breath some people can experience discomfort.