The Brachial Plexus

     Nerves from the neck that go down the arm are called the “brachial plexus,” literally meaning “arm (brachial) network of nerves (plexus).” 

     Picture the wires inside an electrical box outside your house---multiple wires coming in, maybe different colors, bundled together in clusters of wires, going somewhere inside your home. A rough analogy, but your brachial plexus is somewhat similar. 

     Nerves exit the spine in the neck, join into “bundles,” and travel down the arm and into the hand.

Severe Pain, But There's No Fracture

     A not uncommon cause of severe pain in the ribs, when X-ray rules out fracture, can be strain of the tiny muscles between the ribs, the intercostal muscles. Some kind of trauma is usually involved, such as a fall, an auto accident, overexertion, etc. 

     These little muscles help with the movements of our chest when we breathe, so if they are injured, every breath can be painful. 

     Healing can be slow, but can be assisted by careful assessment of the rib cage for misalignments that put stress on the injured area.