Whether intercostal neuralgia hurts on the left side or the right side depends on whether the affected lesion is on the left or the right side. Intercostal neuralgia is a subjective symptom description of radiating pain from the damaged innervated intercostal area from the back along the intercostal space to the side of the abdominal wall, which can be just unilateral or bilateral. Etiologies include degenerative disc herniation in the thoracic spine, thickening of the joint capsule and ligaments, tuberculosis of the thoracic spine, thoracic spine fracture or dislocation, spinal or spinal cord tumors, ankylosing spondylitis, as well as lesions of the ribcage, mediastinum, and pleura, and herpes zoster. The above causes lead to compression and irritation of the intercostal nerves, which manifests as paroxysmal or persistent pain in the innervated area of the damaged intercostal nerves, which is divided in strips in the chest and abdomen, and the pain can be stabbing or burning. The radiating pain caused by intercostal nerve is related to the distribution of the damaged nerve, so it may be left, right or bilateral. Patients with intercostal neuralgia are advised to go to the hospital in time to avoid delaying their condition.