Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers | February 18, 2026 | Personal Injury
Muscle strains are often seen as minor injuries that don’t require medical care, but some of them can lead to severe pain, stiffness, and the inability to perform everyday tasks. One type that can be particularly impactful is an intercostal muscle strain.
Learn more about intercostal muscle strains and whether you might be entitled to file a personal injury claim after suffering one.
Where Are the Intercostal Muscles, and What Are the Symptoms of a Strain?
The intercostal muscles are located between the ribs. They play a critical role in expanding the rib cage during breathing and speaking.
Some of the symptoms of intercostal muscle strains include:
- Severe and sudden aching between the ribs
- Sharp pain in the chest or upper back
- Worsening pain when sneezing, coughing, or inhaling deeply
- Stiffness or lack of movement when bending or twisting
- Spasms of the intercostal muscles
- Discomfort that worsens after repetitive movements
If they get overstretched, they can tear, leading to several issues.
What Are Common Causes of Intercostal Muscle Strain?
Intercostal muscle strains can happen for a variety of reasons, but they’re typically the result of overexertion or direct injuries, such as those that can occur in traumatic falls or motorcycle accidents. Contact sports and assaults can also cause rib injuries, including intercostal muscle strains.
Typical Treatment for Intercostal Muscle Strains
The treatment for these injuries depends largely on their severity and effects on the victim’s daily life. It’s always important to obtain an official diagnosis so you don’t overlook any other injuries you may have suffered during the initial accident.
Mild intercostal muscle strains may only require basic home care. This can involve using hot and cold therapy to reduce swelling and provide temporary pain relief. You’ll need to rest and limit your physical activity while the strain heals.
For more severe injuries, you may need to limit your movement for a few days or weeks. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications or supporting the injured area with a pillow when you sit or lie down. If you’re experiencing breathing difficulties, seek immediate medical attention.
In some instances, physical therapy may be necessary to help strengthen the muscles as they heal. Therapy often involves deep breathing exercises to help patients resume normal breathing. This prevents prolonged shallow breathing, which can lead to pneumonia, as it doesn’t allow bacteria and debris to be removed from deep in the lungs.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After Straining an Intercostal Muscle
If you sustained an intercostal muscle strain due to another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim to recover your losses. You’ll need to demonstrate that the at-fault party didn’t behave as another reasonable person would have and that their actions directly led to your injuries.
If your claim is successful, you’ll receive economic damages to address expenses like medical bills and the cost of physical therapy. It may be necessary for you to miss work for a few days as you recover, which could result in lost wages. Economic damages can offset these losses, too.
Non-economic damages can cover other types of losses, including the pain and suffering you’ve endured because of the injury. A skilled attorney can help calculate the exact amount of compensation you deserve to receive.
Contact the Palm Beach Gardens Personal Injury Attorneys at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
You should never try to pursue a personal injury claim without dedicated legal representation. The right attorney will guide you through every step of the process so your claim has the best chance of succeeding. They’ll also negotiate aggressively with the insurance companies to ensure that your settlement is fair and sufficient to address the full effects of your injuries.
For more information, contact an experienced Palm Beach Gardens personal injury attorney at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
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