Can muscle strain or poor posture cause pain under the left ribs?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Muscle strain and poor posture are common causes of pain under the left ribs. Athletes, people who lift heavy objects, and those with muscle tears in the chest wall, intercostal muscles, or upper abdomen often experience this discomfort. Slouching, prolonged sitting, or sudden twisting movements can also inflame surrounding muscles and lead to sharp or aching pain beneath the left rib cage.

While musculoskeletal issues are frequent culprits, pain under the left ribs can also signal other conditions involving the spleen, stomach, pancreas, or heart. Because the causes vary widely, it's important to identify what's driving your symptoms before assuming it's muscle-related. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your pain and get clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if left rib pain is serious Discover likely causes of your left rib pain See whether posture-related rib pain needs care Find OTC relief for left rib pain Find a doctor for rib pain evaluation Understand home remedies for muscle strain pain Find out if your rib pain needs care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Pain under the left ribs can indeed be caused by muscle strain or poor posture. According to the medical literature, musculoskeletal problems of the chest wall, such as those experienced by athletes, can lead to pain in this area. Poor posture can place additional stress on the muscles around the ribs, potentially leading to discomfort or pain.

Muscle Strain: A side strain, which involves the tearing of the internal oblique muscles, can cause significant pain under the ribs. This type of injury is often seen in athletes and can result from sudden movements or overuse.
Poor Posture: Maintaining poor posture over time can lead to musculoskeletal problems, as it places uneven stress on the muscles and can lead to pain in the chest wall, including under the ribs.

If you experience persistent pain under the left ribs, it may be helpful to review your posture and consider whether recent physical activities could have strained your muscles. To better understand your symptoms and potential causes, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool.

(References)

Gregory PL, Biswas AC, & Batt ME. (2002). Musculoskeletal problems of the chest wall in athletes. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 11929353.
Park J, Kim SJ, Kim H, Jung H, & Shin HY. (2023). Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment of intractable anterior .... Anesthesia and pain medicine, 36746904.
Connell DA, Jhamb A, & James T. (2003). Side strain: a tear of internal oblique musculature. AJR. American journal of roentgenology, 14627566.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.