Intercostal Strain Treatment: Breathe Better, Feel Better

Feeling a sharp pain in your ribs when you move, twist, or take a deep breath can be unsettling. You might be dealing with an intercostal muscle strain—a common but often overlooked cause of chest wall pain. These thin muscles sit between your ribs and help expand your chest during breathing, so even small injuries can make everyday activities uncomfortable.

At Cole Pain Therapy Group in Memphis, our chiropractors and rehabilitation specialists provide safe, effective care for intercostal strains. We serve patients throughout the Memphis area, including Bartlett, Lakeland, and Arlington, TN, helping them move easier and breathe more comfortably through personalized, hands-on treatments.

Common symptoms include:

• Sharp, aching, or pulling pain between the ribs

• Pain that worsens with deep breathing, twisting, or reaching overhead

• Local tenderness or tightness along the rib cage

• A feeling of muscle spasm or a “stitch” sensation under the ribs

Because chest and rib pain can sometimes mimic cardiac or lung conditions, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. Our chiropractors carefully assess rib motion and muscle tension to rule out conditions like costovertebral joint dysfunction or intercostal neuralgia.