Rest and Recovery: How to Sleep With Intercostal Muscle Strain

What is Intercostal Muscle Strain?

Intercostal muscle strains are muscle tears Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source in the intercostal muscles. These types of strains are a common cause of musculoskeletal chest pain Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Your intercostal muscles are located in between your ribs, and they help you breathe during physical activity Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source . The external intercostal muscles contract to raise your ribs Trusted Source National Cancer Institute (NCI) The NCI is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. View Source when you inhale. The internal intercostal muscles contract when you forcibly exhale.

Causes of Intercostal Muscle Strain

Strains are a common soft-tissue injury in sports Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source . Intercostal muscles can sustain a strain from sports that require intense upper body effort.

For example, both batting and pitching in baseball and softball twist the upper body. A study examining 20 years of baseball injuries found that over 90% of recorded muscle strains Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source involved either the intercostal muscles or the internal/external oblique muscles in the abdomen. Other common sports that cause intercostal muscle strain include weight lifting and rowing.

Intercostal muscles can also be strained from one-time injuries or from repetitive movements, such as coughing, painting a ceiling, or chopping wood.

Symptoms of Intercostal Muscle Strain

If you have strained your intercostal muscles, you may experience a number of symptoms:

• Localized Pain: The pain may worsen when you use your intercostal muscles, such as when you take a deep breath or cough.
• Tenderness: The affected area is typically sensitive to touch.
• Swelling: Swelling may occur in some cases of muscle strain, but it may take several hours to appear.
• Muscle Spasms: Some injuries can cause the muscles to involuntarily contract or spasm.

Diagnosis of Intercostal Muscle Strain

If you experience pain in the ribs, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional. A healthcare provider typically diagnoses intercostal muscle strain Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source by first asking questions about how the injury happened, and whether you have had similar injuries in the past.

They also perform a physical exam, which includes feeling the affected area for tenderness. Often the questioning and exam are sufficient for diagnosis. However, in some cases your doctor may order x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests to check for other injuries, such as fractures or swelling.

Muscle strains can be classified into one of three categories:

• First Degree (Mild): Muscle fibers are stretched and a few may be torn.
• Second Degree (Moderate): A significant number of muscle fibers are torn.
• Third Degree (Severe): All muscle fibers are torn.

Second- and third-degree strains require more time to heal.

Treatment for Intercostal Muscle Strain

After addressing potentially serious injuries, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Rest: It is especially important to avoid movements that cause the pain to reoccur. For athletes, this may require time away from practice and competition or limited movements to avoid reinjury. Your treatment provider can work with you to gradually strengthen your muscles and work on regaining range of motion.
• Ice: In the days immediately following the injury, you may be able to reduce swelling by applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 15 to 20 minutes at intervals throughout the day.
• Heat Therapy: After the first few days have passed, you can switch from using an ice pack to using a heating pad to treat the strain. Heating the injured muscles may help relieve pain and speed up the recovery process.
• Pain Relievers: Some medications can reduce the amount of pain you experience from the strain. Talk to your doctor about which medications are appropriate to take, as some may increase bleeding.
• Surgery: If the muscles are completely torn, you may need surgery.

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 to Sleep With Intercostal Muscle Strain

Falling asleep or staying can be a challenge. Managing your pain is a key step to better sleep and recovery from an intercostal muscle strain. There are a number of strategies you can use to relieve symptoms and get the full night of rest you need.

Talk to Your Doctor

You should inform your healthcare provider of your pain levels and sleeping difficulties so they can determine a treatment plan that is right for you. Be sure to let your doctor know what treatments you have tried or are currently using, such as heat therapy and over-the-counter pain relievers.

In more serious cases where the muscles continue to be reinjured, your healthcare provider may inject the area with corticosteroids or lidocaine. These injections can provide relief from pain.

Gentle Breathing and Stretching Exercises

Your healthcare provider may recommend stretching and breathing exercises Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source to assist in recovery and ensure that the pain from your injury does not unduly limit your breathing capacity.

Research also shows that deep breathing may help reduce pain Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and stress Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , so these exercises may also be helpful as part of a bedtime routine. Proceed cautiously and consult your healthcare provider if the pain worsens.

Meditation Exercises to Reduce Pain

Preliminary research suggests that mindfulness meditation may help improve pain Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and promote physical relaxation Trusted Source National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NICCH) NCCIH funds and conducts research to help answer important scientific and public health questions about complementary health approaches. View Source . While there are many different forms of meditation, they usually include the following components:

• Sitting in a comfortable position
• Meditating a quiet space
• Focusing attention on breathing, an object, or selected words
• Maintaining an open attitude, or a mindset of letting distractions come and go without judgment

Keep Your Torso Neutral and Minimize External Pressure

If you struggle to fall asleep because of pain from an intercostal muscle strain, consider changing your . The ideal sleep position should keep the spine properly aligned, with the torso in a neutral position that protects against unwanted twisting or added weight on the injury. If you sleep on your side, you may feel more comfortable sleeping on the side that is not injured. You should find a comfortable mattress and the to support your head, neck, and upper body.

Especially during the first couple of days, you may find it helps to keep your upper body elevated. Try propping yourself up using pillows, or an adjustable base if you have one.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

Implementing healthy habits can help lay the groundwork for better sleep as you recover. Elements of good sleep hygiene include:

• Keeping a Consistent Sleep Schedule: On both weekdays and weekends, going to bed and waking up at the same time helps facilitate sound sleep.
• Creating a Bedtime Routine: Activities such as meditating, reading, or taking a warm bath can help you unwind before bed.
• Exercising During the Day: Exercise has been shown to positively impact sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Although you may not be able to practice your regular sport, gentle activities such as walking or yoga can keep your body moving.
• Making a Comfortable Sleeping Environment: An ideal bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet. If necessary, use sleep accessories such as an eye mask or earplugs to make the environment more conducive to sleep. You can also use blackout curtains to prevent light from entering the room, or a white noise machine to muffle background noise.
• Avoiding Electronics Before Bedtime: Cell phones, computers, TVs, and gaming devices all emit bright light Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source that can make falling asleep difficult.
• Limiting Use of Your Bed to Sex and Sleep: To help your brain form a connection between your bed and sleep, avoid lying in bed for longer than 20 minutes if you are unable to sleep. Instead, go do a relaxing activity in another room and come back to bed when you feel sleepy.

If you are still struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help identify if there is an underlying sleep disorder that is negatively impacting your ability to get a full night’s sleep.