Rib Flare

Quick answer: Rib flare is a postural pattern in which the lower front ribs sit lifted and angled outward, so the bottom edge of the rib cage sticks out more than the rest of the torso. It usually reflects how a person breathes and how the pelvis and spine are organized, rather than a problem with the ribs themselves.

Also called: flared ribs, rib cage flare, ribs “popping out.”

What does rib flare look like?

From the side, the bottom of the rib cage points forward instead of down, often with a visible ledge under the chest. From the front, the angle where the lower ribs meet under the breastbone can look wider than usual. It may show on one side or both, and it usually becomes more noticeable when the arms are raised overhead or the back is arched.

Why do ribs flare?

When you breathe in, the lower ribs naturally rise and swing outward, and when you breathe out, they settle back down. Rib flare is what it looks like when they tend to stay in that breath-in position. Common contributors include a habit of breathing high into the chest, a forward-tipped pelvis (anterior pelvic tilt) with an arched lower back (hyperlordosis), “chest up” posture cues, and one-sided habits or sports.

Is rib flare the same as a rib hump?

No. A rib hump is a bulge at the back of the rib cage that appears when the spine rotates, most often with scoliosis, and it’s most visible when bending forward. Rib flare involves the lower front ribs. The two can appear together, because a rotated spine can also make the front ribs on one side more prominent.

Where to read more about rib flare

This entry is the short definition. Rib flare has a full guide of its own, and it is the better place to go if you are trying to work out what to do: it covers a self-test for checking your own rib position, what actually causes flaring, why more ab work usually does not settle it, exercises, and when it is worth having looked at.

Two questions that page answers which people most often arrive with: whether rib flare is something to worry about (usually not, and it explains the exceptions), and whether it is the same as pectus excavatum (it is not).

Related terms

• Anterior pelvic tilt
• Hyperlordosis
• Scoliosis
• Core

Learn more and take the next step

For a self-check you can do at home, what the common symptoms are, and gentle starting points, read our full guide: What Is Rib Flare? Symptoms, Causes and How to Correct It.

If you’d like to work on it yourself, our Fix Rib Flare course is a four-week guided series for $29. If you’d rather have someone find what’s driving it, a free 30-minute consultation starts with a postural assessment, in one of our clinics or through virtual posture therapy.

This entry is general education, not medical advice. If you have rib or chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a change in the shape of your chest, see a physician first.