Rib Flare Is Normal: What It Is, Why It Happens and When It Matters
Oct 17, 2026
Having a rib flare is not a diagnosis or some sort of dysfunction or disorder. In fact, it's completely and totally normal.
What a rib flare is
A rib flare is just a change in the shape of the lower ribs, the ones that don't directly attach to the sternum, where they begin to stick out a little more.
Why it happens
Behind those ribs is a diaphragm that helps us fill and empty our lungs about 20 to 30 thousand times a day, so it's a pretty important and strong muscle. If we inhale a lot more than we exhale, the diaphragm begins to have a harder time apposing the ribs on the exhale, and the ribs take the path of least resistance and adopt a more inhaled position.
Conversely, we may extend through the low back and lower thoracic spine to stand up tall and straight, and this can push the ribs forward and out, making it harder to exhale. This can result in more of an anterior tilt. Again, not something to necessarily be concerned about.
Does it matter?
Maybe, maybe not. If you have pain or limited mobility and you learn to exhale and get more apposition of the diaphragm, you can make some pretty impressive changes in someone's physiology and mobility, and this may reduce pain and improve function.
So understanding how to work with this very normal flared position, to give someone a little bit of what they don't have, can make you sort of a magician. Just don't go overboard and diagnose their ribs as dysfunctional, or use every means possible to "fix" them. They are not broken.
Watch more
How to stretch your diaphragm for better 360° breathing
Breathing in Extension, Not Just Flexion
Keep exploring
If you want to learn the when, why and how of helping people access incredible function, take a look at Empowered Performance. You can also try the free Spinal Health in Motion course or move with me in Alchemy.
