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Intercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing problem. Intercostal retractions are a medical emergency.
This has a fancy name â intercostals myalgia. It is not a serious condition, but it is a nuisance. Sometimes it is caused by a viral infection of the muscles, sometimes by repetitive activity or a strain, but often there is no particular cause. It is usually self-limiting, and goes away on its own, eventually.