Intercostal muscle strain is an injury affecting the muscles between two or more ribs. Symptoms can include sharp, direct pain, stiffness, and mobility difficulties. The intercostal muscles have ...

An intercostal muscle strain happens when you pull or partially tear the muscles between your ribs. You can do this by lifting, twisting, or being hit in the ribcage — but healing can take a while.

Your intercostal muscles attach to your ribs. When you breathe in air, they normally contract and move your ribs up. At the same time, your diaphragm, which is a thin muscle that separates your chest ...