Hi all,
After 1 year+ I still got the intercostal muscle pain. I play 2 or 3 times a week and everytime I hit a bad shot with a bad finish swing I feel that little pain that I live with. If I press the chest I still feel the pain too. That's what the doctor said to me: there will be no cure if you don't stop playing for a long time. The fibrosis is too big and not elastic and everytime you force that muscles it will cause pain because they lost their elasticity in that area.
I decided not to stop that hobby, it gives me life, you know what I'm talking about.
What I can recommend to those that injured themselves, I you feel any pain don't play, put away the clubs for a long period, and don't go play with the pain there, you'll never be healed if you do that. when you start again go with slow swings and see if the pain is there. at the little sign of pain stop! you're not healed yet.
As many say here ice feels good, hot towels or gel packs, massage etc all was good to ease my pain, but the secret is to stop and rest if the pain is there.