CLINIC
Your ribs have multiple purposes in protection, breathing and muscle attachment. Rib injuries aren’t common in running, but a problem in this area could seriously impact your training
your expert
Laurence Plant is specialist chiropractor and clinic manager at Henley Practice (henleypractice. com), a multi-discipline sports-injury clinic based in Henley-On-Thames. He is also the Meglio physiotherapy and fitness expert (mymeglio.com). henleypracticehenleypractice. ), a multi-discipline sports-injury clinic based (mymeglio.com).
Rib anatomy
Each of your rib bones is classified as a flat bone. Your rib cage is made up of 12 pairs of ribs that all attach to your thoracic spine at the back, starting at the first thoracic vertebra, T1. At the front of your body the first seven pairs of ribs are attached to your sternum. The next three pairs are known as ‘false’ ribs, as they attach to the sternum and each other with cartilage. Finally, the very bottom ribs (12 and sometimes 11) are all by themselves. They are called ‘floating’ ribs as they have no anchor point at the front. These floating ribs are attached to our vertebra at the back only and are the most mobile.