Hi, I have a sharp pain in the center of my chest when I move my arms a certain way, driving hurts, blowing my nose hurts, and laughing. I cannot shift my rib cage to reach for something. I went to the ER and I was told my heart was fine, and that it could be a pulled muscle. Im skeptical because of the pain level. Any advice on if you think it really is a pulled muscle and if it is how do I get better? Thank you for your time.Kristina
Hipulled muscle/ or muscle catch or local spasm can be the reason for the pain. Any activity of increase in the intro thoracic pressure like sneezing, laughing etc. can aggravate the pain. You can go for painkillers with local muscle relaxant action (like flexion Mr) in case if you are not allergic to painkillers, twice daily at least for a week.local pain relieving gels like (diclofenac gel) will also relieve the pain. Practise deep breathing exercises, or incentive spirometry, or good voluntary cough, these manometers will slowly relieve the pain. All the best take care.