Pulled muscle in the rib cage: symptoms and care

The muscles between and around the ribs help with breathing, coughing, reaching, and turning. A strain may follow forceful coughing, lifting, a blow, rowing, or an unfamiliar upper-body workout. Pain is often local and may be reproduced by pressing the sore area, twisting, raising an arm, or taking a deep breath. That pattern can fit a muscle injury, but it does not by itself rule out heart, lung, or rib problems. Do not use the ability to point to one tender spot as proof that chest pain is harmless.

Rest from heavy lifting and movements that sharply increase pain, while continuing gentle breathing rather than holding your breath. Support the area with your hand when coughing, but do not tightly bind the chest. A wrapped cold pack can help after a recent injury; warmth may ease later muscle tightness. Follow professional advice before taking anti-inflammatory medicine, particularly with stomach, kidney, heart, pregnancy, or blood-thinning concerns. [Muscle Strain](/conditions/muscle-strain/) gives general information about this type of injury.

Call emergency services for pressure or squeezing in the chest, pain spreading to the arm, back, jaw, or neck, severe breathlessness, fainting, blue lips, sudden sweating, or a new irregular heartbeat. Seek prompt care after chest trauma, for coughing blood, fever with breathing pain, or inability to take a comfortable breath. Arrange review if local pain is not improving or if you are unsure whether it is muscular. Related symptoms include [Back Muscle Spasm](/symptoms/back-muscle-spasm/).

Ask whether the pain fits a chest-wall strain, whether you need an examination or imaging, and how to keep breathing comfortably. Tell the clinician about exertion, coughing, injury, breathlessness, fever, palpitations, and what makes the pain better or worse.