How much for an order of ribs?

Some engaging conversation with an accomplished chiro trying to integrate some of the DNS messages regarding ISSS……..
……(regarding) A-P dimensions, curves, and the thorax I would like to say the following. The depression and change of orientation of the anterior ribs via EO, RA and associated fascia through contraction or manual depression as (I see is possible) adds compression to an already compressed system. This is why in my own body I had come to the conclusion that changing an A-P dimension is not feasible since previous attempts have led to additional and symptomatic tightness. I could drop my ribs in the front, change the curve and angle of the ribs and thoracic curve, but at what expense? If I do this and add compression to the system… well I don’t think this is a good option since I already have a diminished thoraco-costal excursion on breathing and a less than optimal A-P dimension to begin with. ………. Thoughts?

Magician's Guild

In terms of “changing the thorax,” I think you can consider 2 things.
1) You can change bony contour. It may take forever or some combination of high/low loads and duration, but even in adults it can be done.  Look no further than folks that have poorly fitting spectacles digging into their cranium.  Bone can change in adults.
2) In certain cases, I don’t think there even is a local change in bone. There is rather a positional change of the bone based on where resting segments are being held.  Punctum Fixums and Punctum Mobiles can change as a result of training effects, and bone that appears to look a certain way looks different because they lie in a much different place @ rest or action.
Now that’s not to say no one has a bony deformity, but in the common rib flared postures, I think there are a lot of reasons and techniques to follow to believe the thorax can “flatten.”

Caveman on the left. Human on the right. Bones can change.

You are probably correct that there will be increased spinal compression in a system dominated by stability by RA and EO, the outer core components. That environment can be compensated with flexion, shear, or compression in a number of locations.
If the breath is appropriate over time, the stabilization pattern will shift to multifidus, diaphragm, TA, and pelvic floor. This will leave the outer core a little more “quiet,” and unaffecting to the spinal segments.  There will not be more compression; I would expect less if anything.  I would expect buttressing to occur through IAP, not bony approximation.

Now “pulling” the ribs down with a crunching type maneuver pulls the ribs into what appears to be a “better” position during the flexion, but the pelvis and t-spine and likely neck are decentrated and inappropriate.  In an effort to fight against this tone and track forwards in locomotion, the human body will shift anteriorly in the pelvis, t-spine, and/or neck.  All is lost.  The breath can depress the ribs and still maintain the vertical spine.
By pressurizing the abdomen, the rib flare will adjust over time. How quickly this takes place is certainly dependent, but once the IAP can be completed in basic positions, holding any exercises for a good breath is part of the endless progressions.

Maybe it is best to suggest it is not as much about depressing the ribs but rather what the depressed ribs represent in terms of motor control of the breath.

  • April 10, 2011

Leave a Reply 2 comments

mmaxwell Reply

I am glad to see our discussion has lead to some good and constructive thinking Charlie! Our discussion and your challenge to me has provided a lot of learning and growth on my end, for which I am grateful for:) Interestingly, I had started an almost identical post for my blog several weeks ago but got distracted with other “stuff”. Great stuff! Thanks.

Mark McGrath Reply

I have been coaching these types of changes by describing a pulley system. The top pulley is where the head sits on the occipital condyles, and the bottom pulley is the pelvic floor. The rear pulley rope is the spine lengthening or axial extension, and the front pulley is the chest position toward the sacrum (caudal, dorsal, lateral). If you attempt to bring the chest down and maintain the expiratory position without concurrently lengthening the spine, this is when you get compression. The change in the recruitment pattern is as Charlie suggests, when you begin to integrate eccentric control of the diaphragm during an exhalation, without sacrificing IAP.
To summarise;
Spine lengthens.
Abdominal cavity cylinders widens evenly in all directions, particularly lateral/dorsal component.
Chest position is caudal, dorsal,lateral toward sacrum.
Exciting to be exploring this way of working in a multidisciplinary container.
Thanks

Leave a Reply:







- Click on Title to save -

T=R HOLIDAY SALE

50% Off

Get Charlie Weingroff’s T=R streaming content for 50% off now through January 1st