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An intercostal muscle strain occurs when the muscles between your ribs tear or stretch beyond their limits. These muscles control breathing and stabilize the chest wall. When injured, they cause pain that disrupts movement and daily life. Learning about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options helps you know how to handle this injury and protect your health.
An intercostal muscle strain happens when one or more muscles between the ribs overstretch or tear. These muscles allow the chest cavity to expand and contract during breathing. A mild strain causes slight fiber damage, while a severe strain results in a complete tear. The severity of the injury affects pain levels and recovery time.
Because the intercostal muscles form several layers, a strain may involve any of them. When this injury occurs, pain and inflammation follow. Pain worsens when you move your rib cage during deep breaths, coughing, or torso rotation. The disruption often affects daily life and limits normal activities.
Pushing your torso through sudden movements that stretch muscles too far can result in an intercostal muscle strain. Sports, weightlifting, or twisting motions often trigger these injuries. A serious impact to the chest, like the kind you can experience in a car accident or fall, also damages the muscles. Repetitive activities in sports like rowing or swimming put ongoing pressure on the rib cage and increase the chance of strain.
Poor posture places unnecessary stress on chest muscles and makes them vulnerable. Skipping warm-up exercises before physical activity leaves the muscles tight and prone to injury. Even a strong cough or sneeze places enough pressure on the rib cage to cause damage. Any activity that stresses the ribs too much has the potential to strain these muscles.
Pain along the ribs stands as the main symptom of an intercostal muscle strain. The pain often feels sharp and worsens during deep breathing, sneezing, or coughing. Tenderness when touched also appears in the affected area. More severe tears often cause stronger pain and longer recovery.
You may also notice tightness or spasms in the chest. Movement of your torso often feels limited because of pain. Some people hear a pop when the injury happens. In some cases, bruising or swelling develops around the injured spot, which signals internal bleeding. These symptoms may look similar to other chest conditions, so a correct diagnosis becomes important.
Treatment often begins with rest and simple at-home care. The RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—helps reduce pain and swelling. Rest keeps the injury from worsening. Ice lowers inflammation. Compression supports the chest and limits swelling. Elevation helps improve healing by lowering blood flow to the injured spot.
Pain medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen provides additional relief. If over-the-counter medicine fails, doctors may prescribe stronger medication. Some patients benefit from physical therapy to regain strength and chest mobility. Gentle stretching and controlled exercises guided by a therapist help restore function and prevent future injuries.
Severe strains may require longer recovery. In these cases, careful monitoring and professional medical advice reduce the risk of further damage. A structured plan ensures healing takes place at the right pace.
Most intercostal strains heal fully when treated properly, but complications may arise if you ignore medical advice. Chronic chest pain often develops if you return to physical activity too soon. Stiffness also remains common when treatment fails to address the injury thoroughly.
Re-injury poses another risk, especially when you do not correct the activity or event that caused the strain. In rare cases, nerve damage results in altered chest sensation or weakness. Scar tissue may also form, which restricts motion and causes long-term discomfort. To avoid these outcomes, following a doctor’s treatment plan becomes necessary.
If you sustained an intercostal muscle strain due to someone else’s negligence, such as in a car accident, slip and fall, or workplace incident, you may pursue compensation. Medical costs, lost wages, and pain often place heavy pressure on you.
At Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we work to help you recover damages and move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Seattle personal injury lawyer.
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(206) 727 4000
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