persisten chest soreness

[erikoman]

Hi,

for past 2 or 3 weeks (don't remember exactly why or when it started) I have been having a soreness of my chest wall area. It's not a sharp pain, and it happens most when I stretch or "scrunch" my muscles in certain ways. Also with deep breaths, but only rarely. Until the last week I was able to make the pain almost go away by stretching my arms over my heading, and producing a kind of "click" sound in my chest (like something snapping into place). That doesn't work anymore (no more "click").

I'm a 25y/o male, do not smoke, not overweight, and in decent condition.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[erikoman]

Thank you,

The thing is though, is that it's not a sharp pain... more like a strong dull (sore) pain. I looked up costochondritis and it seems like that might be more painful than what I'm experiencing....

thanks!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Chest pain aggravated by laughing yawning, moving in certain directions, stretching or deep breathing, goes more in favor of costochondritis, which causes pain and tenderness at points where your ribs attach to your breastbone.  The inflammation around the joint area gives sharp pain on taking a breath. This can also cause tenderness on pressing the area which pains. An orthopedic doctor can diagnose this for you. Generally there is no cause. However it can be due to infection, blow, injury, or fibromyalgia. It usually goes away on its own. Otherwise it can be treated with muscle relaxants, and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. It can also be muscle pull. Shingles can also start this way.
Since it is difficult to diagnose on net and hence do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined.
Hope this helps. Take care!