Subluxation of the area where your ribs attach to your spine. In other words the connection is out of place, often caused by a sneeze, during heavy lifting or athletic activity. If feels like a stabbing pain in the upper back/rib area with difficulty breathing. It can be a very traumatic experience. Fracture, a broken bone caused by trauma to the rib area, for example a fall or car accident. Again this can be quite painful and will cause difficulty breathing. Brittle Ribs, for example if you have osteoporosis, where your bones become thin and weak. In this case several fractures can occur with little or no trauma.