Quick Summary
- Rib pain with coughing is most often linked to intercostal muscle strain or bruised/broken ribs.
- Severe coughing can cause rib injury; persistent or severe symptoms should be evaluated.
- Helpful home measures for mild, improving symptoms include rest, bracing during coughing, cold packs, appropriate over-the-counter pain relief, and breathing normally with gentle coughing.
- Typical recovery is 2–6 weeks for bruised/broken ribs and 4–6 weeks for intercostal muscle strains.
- Seek care urgently for shortness of breath, worsening chest pain, high fever, coughing up blood, or significant trauma.
Introduction
Rib pain that appears or worsens when coughing is commonly related to problems in the chest wall, particularly the muscles between the ribs or the ribs themselves. Authoritative medical sources show that coughing can be associated with intercostal muscle strain and, in some cases, bruised or broken ribs. Less commonly, chest pain with coughing may be related to conditions involving the lungs or other internal organs. This article summarizes only evidence-supported information about causes, safe self-care, and when medical evaluation is recommended.
Why Ribs Can Hurt When You Cough
High-quality medical sources support the following explanations:
- Intercostal muscle strain: The intercostal muscles run between the ribs and help the rib cage expand and contract during breathing. Repeated or forceful coughing is a recognized cause of intercostal muscle strain, which can lead to pain that worsens with movement, coughing, or deep breaths.
- Bruised or broken ribs: Severe coughing is a documented cause of bruised or broken ribs. Pain from these injuries is often sharp and increases when breathing in or coughing.
- Other medical conditions: Chest pain with coughing can sometimes be related to conditions beyond muscle strain, including lung infections. Because of this, persistent or severe symptoms should be evaluated by a clinician.
Common Causes
Intercostal Muscle Strain
- Caused by coughing, repetitive movements, or chest injury.
- Pain commonly worsens with breathing, coughing, sneezing, or movement.
- Recovery typically takes about 4–6 weeks.
Bruised or Broken Ribs
- Can result from trauma or severe coughing.
- Symptoms include localized chest pain, tenderness, and pain with breathing or coughing.
- These injuries usually improve on their own within 2–6 weeks.
What May Help at Home (Mild, Improving Symptoms)
The following measures are supported by authoritative guidance:
- Rest: Limiting activities that worsen pain can help recovery.
- Bracing during coughing: Holding a pillow or your hand against the painful area while coughing is recommended by clinicians to reduce discomfort.
- Cold therapy: Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth during the first few days can help reduce swelling.
- Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are commonly recommended, when safe for you.
- Breathing normally and coughing when needed: Gentle deep breathing and coughing help clear mucus from the lungs and reduce the risk of chest infections.
Recovery Timeline
- Bruised or broken ribs: Often heal within 2–6 weeks.
- Intercostal muscle strains: Commonly take 4–6 weeks to heal.
Recovery times vary, and continued pain beyond these ranges warrants medical review.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical evaluation if any of the following occur:
- Rib pain is severe, worsening, or not improving.
- You have shortness of breath, chest pain that is getting worse, or trouble breathing.
- You develop a high fever or other signs of infection.
- You are coughing up blood.
- The injury followed a significant accident or trauma.
- You suspect a rib fracture.
These situations may indicate complications or a condition that needs medical treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my ribs hurt when I cough?
Evidence shows this is most often due to intercostal muscle strain or, less commonly, bruised or broken ribs. Other causes, such as lung infections, are possible when symptoms are severe or persistent.
How long do sore ribs from coughing last?
Depending on the cause, recovery typically takes 2–6 weeks for bruised or broken ribs and 4–6 weeks for muscle strains.
Should I keep coughing if it hurts?
Authoritative guidance recommends breathing normally and coughing when needed to keep the lungs clear, even if it is uncomfortable. Avoiding necessary coughing may increase the risk of chest infection.
Can coughing really break a rib?
Yes. Severe coughing is a documented cause of bruised or broken ribs, particularly when coughing is intense or prolonged.
What causes rib pain from coughing?
Verified causes include intercostal muscle strain and bruised or broken ribs. Other causes may exist, but these are the most consistently supported by high-quality sources.
How can I relieve rib pain from coughing at home?
Supported measures include rest, bracing the area during coughing, cold packs, appropriate over-the-counter pain relief, and breathing normally with gentle coughing.
When should I worry about rib pain from coughing?
You should seek medical care for worsening pain, breathing difficulty, fever, coughing up blood, or pain after a significant injury.
How do I stop my ribs from hurting when I cough?
There is no high-quality evidence supporting specific methods to stop pain beyond general pain-relief and bracing strategies. Persistent pain should be evaluated by a clinician.
APA References List
Cleveland Clinic. (2020, May 7). How to cope with an intercostal muscle strain. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-cope-with-an-intercostal-muscle-strain
Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 10). Intercostal muscles. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/intercostal-muscles
Lee, K. K., Birring, S. S., & Pavord, I. D. (2020). Global physiology and pathophysiology of cough: Part 1—Cough phenomenology. Chest, 159(1), 282–293. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8640837/
MedlinePlus. (2024, April 3). Rib fracture – aftercare. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000539.htm
MedlinePlus. (2025, June 4). Bruised rib care. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000967.htm
National Health Service (NHS). (n.d.). Broken or bruised ribs. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-or-bruised-ribs/