Cervical Ribs are extra ribs at the top of your rib cage. Normally, humans have 12 pairs of ribs, but some people are born with a 13th pair – or even a small rib fragment – near the neck area. Others may have an enlarged transverse process instead. These are genetic or congenital anomalies, meaning you were born with them.
Here’s what you need to think about:
👉 If you’ve had these cervical ribs for 20, 25, or even 30 years without any pain, but suddenly develop #ThoracicOutletSyndrome (#TOS) symptoms, doctors might look at your X-ray and say, “Oh look, you have cervical ribs, that must be the problem.”
But pause for a moment:
🔎 If those ribs never caused pain for decades, why would they suddenly be the cause now?
It’s like blaming your elbow bone for wrist pain you developed overnight – when your elbow has been there, unchanged, your entire life.
🛑 Here’s the danger: Many patients are rushed into to remove these cervical ribs, thinking it will cure their symptoms. In reality, thoracic outlet syndrome is a functional condition affecting many people – even those with normal anatomy. Just because you have extra ribs doesn’t mean they’re the true cause of your symptoms.
💡 Before considering surgery, ask yourself:
✅ Did my cervical ribs cause pain before?
✅ Could muscle tension, poor posture, nerve compression, or other factors be causing my TOS?
✅ Have I explored treatment options like specialized therapy to release muscle compression and restore nerve mobility?
Remember:
Surgery is irreversible. Removing something that was never the root cause of your pain could leave you with scarring, nerve damage, or persistent symptoms – and no cervical rib left to blame.
🔔 Always get a second or third opinion before surgery. Explore conservative, functional treatments that address the true biomechanical and neurological causes of thoracic outlet syndrome.
Your body isn’t defective just because you were born with a variation. Think critically before consenting to surgery that may not be necessary.
#SurgeryRisks #cervicalribs #thoracicoutletsyndrome #Bodywork #Anatomy #CongenitalAnomalies
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Dr James Stoxen DC., FSSEMM (hon) He is the president of Team Doctors®, Treatment and Training Center Chicago, one of the most recognized treatment centers in the world.
Dr Stoxen is a #1 International Bestselling Author of the book, The Human Spring Approach to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He has lectured at more than 20 medical conferences on his Human Spring Approach to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and asked to publish his research on this approach to treating thoracic outlet syndrome in over 30 peer review medical journals.
He has been asked to submit his other research on the human spring approach to treatment, training and prevention in over 150 peer review medical journals. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Orthopedic Science and Research, Executive Editor or the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care, Chief Editor, Advances in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Journal and editorial board for over 35 peer review medical journals.
He is a much sought-after speaker. He has given over 1000 live presentations and lectured at over 70 medical conferences to over 50,000 doctors in more than 20 countries. He has been invited to speak at over 300 medical conferences which includes invitations as the keynote speaker at over 50 medical conferences.
After his groundbreaking lecture on the Integrated Spring-Mass Model at the World Congress of Sports and Exercise Medicine he was presented with an Honorary Fellowship Award by a member of the royal family, the Sultan of Pahang, for his distinguished research and contributions to the advancement of Sports and Exercise Medicine on an International level. He was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Personal Trainers Hall of Fame in 2012.
Dr Stoxen has a big reputation in the entertainment industry working as a doctor for over 150 tours of elite entertainers, caring for over 1000 top celebrity entertainers and their handlers. Anthony Field or the popular children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles, wrote a book, How I Got My Wiggle Back detailing his struggles with chronic pain and clinical depression he struggled with for years. Dr Stoxen is proud to be able to assist him.
Full Bio) Dr Stoxen can be reached directly at teamdoctors@aol.com
