These Underappreciated Muscles Can Help You Go Farther, Stronger Honing the intercostal muscles can help athletes breathe easier. By Trevor Thieme C.S.C.S. Published: Nov 23, 2020 11:11 AM EST ...

The intercostal muscles sit between the ribs and make up the chest wall. This muscle group comprises three layers, and together, they stabilize the rib cage and assist with breathing.

Before diagnosing your intercostal neuralgia, your doctor will want to rule out any other causes of your pain. During a physical exam, they’ll likely press the area between your ribs or ask you ...

The intercostal muscles contract and move the ribs upwards and outwards. This increases the size of the chest and decreases the air pressure inside it which sucks air into the lungs.

Grade 2 indicates more damage: the muscle isn’t fully ruptured, but there is a loss of strength and mobility. Grade 3 describes a complete muscle rupture, which sometimes requires surgery.

Letter Published: 09 March 1963 Activity of Fusimotor Fibres innervating Muscle Spindles in the Intercostal Muscles of the Cat T. A. SEARS Nature 197, 1013–1014 (1963) Cite this article ...