What could cause pain around the rib cage on both sides?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain around the rib cage on both sides—known as bilateral rib pain—can stem from several causes, including strained muscles, irritated nerves (such as intercostal neuralgia), inflammation of the rib cartilage (costochondritis), or issues involving nearby organs like the lungs, heart, liver, or stomach. Injuries, infections, acid reflux, and even stress-related muscle tension can also contribute.

Because bilateral rib pain has such a wide range of possible causes—some minor, others requiring prompt medical attention—understanding the likely source of your discomfort is an important first step. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly narrow down potential causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that's self-care or seeing a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

4 answers

The most common questions people search after this page

Concerned about your symptoms?

Start a symptom check

Explanation

Pain around both sides of the rib cage may be caused by various conditions. Common causes include:

Chest wall muscle strain or injury from physical activities, repetitive movements, or coughing
Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs (costochondritis)
Nerve-related pain between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia)
Conditions affecting the lining of the lungs (pleurisy)

Less common causes include:

Twelfth rib syndrome, which causes pain in the lower rib area
Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition causing widespread musculoskeletal pain
Certain gastrointestinal conditions that can refer pain to the rib area

If you experience ongoing pain around the rib cage, you can start by using a free symptom checker to better understand your symptoms, and then talk with a healthcare professional to help find the exact cause and the best treatment options for you.

(References)

Barranco-Trabi J, Mank V, Roberts J, Newman DP. Atypical Costochondritis: Complete Resolution of Symptoms After Rib Manipulation and Soft Tissue Mobilization. Cureus. 2021 Apr 8;13(4):e14369. doi: 10.7759/cureus.14369. PMID: 33976991; PMCID: PMC8106472.
Jung J, Lee M, Choi D. Twelfth rib syndrome: a case report. J Int Med Res. 2020 Sep;48(9):300060520952651. doi: 10.1177/0300060520952651. PMID: 32883133; PMCID: PMC7479855.
Fazekas D, Doroshenko M, Horn DB. Intercostal Neuralgia. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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.