@drjoedamiani: 🔥 Neck and upper shoulder pain that won't go away? Your FIRST RIB and SCALENE muscles might be contributing! If you're constantly stretching your neck but still feel tightness or discomfort, the problem might involve restricted movement around your first rib. 💡 Here's what's happening: ⚡ Your first rib sits underneath the muscles at the base of your neck and moves slightly during breathing. ⚡ The scalene muscles connect your cervical spine to your upper ribs, helping with neck movement and breathing. ⚡ Stiffness around this area can contribute to neck tension, shoulder discomfort, and restricted movement. 🛠️ Try this first rib mobility technique: ✅ STEP 1: BALL PLACEMENT Have a partner position a ball near the base of your neck, about an inch to the side of your spine, over the upper rib region. ✅ STEP 2: APPLY PRESSURE Have your partner apply gentle downward pressure while avoiding direct pressure on the spine or sensitive structures. ✅ STEP 3: TILT + HOLD Slowly tilt your head away from the ball and slightly forward. Hold for 10 seconds while maintaining gentle pressure. Return to center, release the pressure, and repeat. 🔥 Why this matters: This technique aims to improve first rib mobility while gently stretching the scalene muscles, potentially reducing tension around your neck and shoulders. Avoid strong pressure or any technique that causes tingling, numbness, dizziness, or radiating pain. Because nerves and blood vessels pass through this area, guided treatment by a qualified clinician is safest. The goal with this is to improve mobility in the surrounding structures that may be contributing to your pain. #NeckPain #FirstRibMobility #ScaleneStretch #ShoulderPain #PhysicalTherapy

Dr. Joe Damiani, DPT

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Region: US

Tuesday 27 October 2026 23:22:39 GMT