why do my intercostal muscles hurt
Intercostal muscles are several groups of muscles that run between the ribs, and help form and move the chest wall. The intercostal muscles are mainly involved in the mechanical aspect of breathing. These muscles help expand and shrink the size of the chest cavity to facilitate breathing. External intercostal muscles aid in quiet and forced inhalation. 2  They originate on ribs 1-11 and have their insertion on ribs 2-12.