Can intercostal muscle strain cause back pain?
An intercostal muscle strain refers to a muscle injury between two or more ribs. The intercostal muscles, commonly referred to simply as the intercostals, connect the ribs and help make up the chest wall. When these muscles overstretch or tear, they can cause significant pain in the mid- and upper back.
What does a strained intercostal muscle feel like?
Symptoms of intercostal muscle strain include: Pain: You may feel a sharp pain at the time of injury, or it may come on more gradually. The pain will get worse when you twist, stretch, breathe in deeply, cough, or sneeze. Tenderness: The area of the strain between your ribs will be sore to the touch.
How long does it take for an intercostal muscle strain to heal?
The average intercostal muscle strain takes about four to five weeks to heal, but the healing process may be shorter or longer depending on the severity of the strain.
How do you fix a strained intercostal muscle?
Treatment
- Applying an ice pack or cold pack, followed by heat therapy.
- Resting and limiting all physical activity for a few days to allow time for the muscle strain to recover.
- Taking pain medications to reduce swelling and pain.
- Splinting the area if breathing is painful by holding a pillow against the injured muscle.
Can you feel rib pain in your back?
Pain in the rib cage can range from mild tenderness to severe cramps or a burning sensation. Sometimes rib pain stems from a problem in the spine, even if the pain is felt more toward the chest or abdomen. Here are some potential causes of rib pain that may stem from the mid-spine, also called the thoracic spine.
When should I see a doctor for an intercostal strain?
If you experience chest pain for more than three days, it is important that you schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the underlying cause. While intercostal muscle strains are generally not very serious and heal on their own with time, chest pain can result from a variety of different causes.
Is intercostal muscle strain serious?
Injuring the intercostal muscles can potentially lead to further complications. While rare, such complications may include irritating an intercostal nerve or complications due to shallow breathing.
How do you test for intercostal strain?
A physical exam, in which the doctor will feel the painful area by hand (called palpation) to check for tenderness and swelling. A physical exam may involve bending or twisting the torso to test how movement and postures affect pain. Additionally, a doctor may use a stethoscope to listen for signs of shallow breathing.
Why do my ribs and middle back hurt?
Many things can cause upper and middle back pain. These include poor posture; overuse or injury of the muscles, ligaments, or discs that support the spine; a vertebra fracture; pressure on the spinal nerves from problems such as a herniated disc; and osteoarthritis.
Can intercostal muscle strain last for months?
Most cases of intercostal muscle strain can heal using only initial treatments, such as those listed above, within a few days to 8 weeks. Some severe strains may cause upper back pain to last longer; the healing period is largely reliant on the severity of the strain and the effectiveness of treatment.
Where do you feel intercostal muscle pain?
The symptoms of intercostal muscle strain may vary slightly, depending on how the injury occurred, and may include: Sudden, severe upper back/rib pain. Upper back pain or pain in the rib cage may be significant and come on suddenly, especially if the injury was caused by sudden impact or a blow to the chest or back.