Alex Mayfield | June 12, 2026 | Personal Injury
Intercostal muscles, which are located between your ribs, stabilize the ribcage and assist with breathing. An intercostal muscle strain can occur from twisting your torso, lifting very heavy items, sustaining direct impact, or even coughing forcefully. These injuries are common in car accidents and slip and fall incidents.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about intercostal muscle strains, including what the intercostal muscles are, common symptoms, and how strains are usually diagnosed and treated.
Understanding the Intercostal Muscles
The intercostal muscles play an essential role in breathing by helping the rib cage expand and contract as the lungs fill with and release air. These muscles also provide stability to the chest wall and support upper-body movement.
There are three layers of intercostal muscles: the external intercostals, internal intercostals, and innermost intercostals. Each layer serves a slightly different function, but together they help control the movement of the ribs during inhalation and exhalation. When these muscles work properly, breathing feels effortless and comfortable.
Because the intercostal muscles are involved in nearly every breath you take, an injury can be particularly painful. Even simple activities such as coughing, sneezing, reaching overhead, or twisting your torso can aggravate a strained muscle. As a result, an intercostal muscle strain may interfere with daily activities and make routine movements uncomfortable.
What Are Common Symptoms of an Intercostal Muscle Strain?
It’s not always easy to tell if you sustained an intercostal muscle strain because the symptoms often overlap with those of other injuries.
With an intercostal muscle strain, you could experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sharp, stabbing pain in your chest
- Pain with movement
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling and tenderness in the chest area
Because it can be challenging to know whether you’re dealing with an intercostal muscle strain, it’s important to get medical assistance as soon as possible if you suspect you’re hurt. You will need a formal diagnosis to begin any kind of legal procedure, so you don’t want to delay.
Diagnosing and Treating Intercostal Muscle Strains
Because chest pain can have many causes, healthcare providers often use several methods to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
Common diagnostic tools include:
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- CT scans
An accurate diagnosis can help ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and avoid complications during recovery. You can use heat and cold packs for up to 48 hours to prevent the worst of the swelling and pain.
In most instances, you won’t need to undergo surgery. If the injury is severe, you may need physical therapy to help you overcome shallow breathing or reduced mobility.
Personal Injury Claims After an Intercostal Muscle Strain
If there was negligence or wrongful conduct involved in the incident that caused your strain, you may be able to begin a personal injury claim against the other party.
To do so, you’ll need to prove that the other party owed you a duty of care that they breached. Then, you have to present evidence that their conduct directly caused the muscle strain and that you have suffered losses as a result.
Because of the various complexities involved in filing a claim, it’s essential to seek assistance from an experienced attorney. With legal help, you can ensure you meet the filing deadline and that you gather the most relevant evidence to prove your claim. They can also handle all of the communications and negotiations with insurance companies.
Contact Our Glynn County Personal Injury Lawyers at Mayfield Law, LLC for a Free Consultation
After sustaining an injury as painful as an intercostal muscle strain in Glynn County, you may be entitled to compensation. It’s crucial to take the time to speak with an attorney to see what your options are and whether you have a strong case.
Having a lawyer in your corner can make all the difference in helping you obtain the compensation you need to get your life back on track after an injury.
For more information, contact Mayfield Law, LLC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly represent clients throughout Brunswick and Nahunta, Georgia, as well as across Glynn County and Brantley County. We’re here to offer trusted, compassionate legal guidance. Let us help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.
Mayfield Law, LLC Brunswick
1611 Union St
Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 457-8557
Mayfield Law, LLC Nahunta
13903 E Cleveland St
Nahunta, GA 31553
(912) 733-4651
