For close to a week now I have had this feeling of tightness , burning , constriction across my upper chest radiating into armpits . My shoulders are super sore and so are spots between my shoulder blades . I have gone to the hospital and had blood work an echo and X-ray of lungs and heart which everything looks fine . The pain is intermittent . Almost feels like I need to crack my back or my ribs are out , if that is possible . I was sick a month ago and had a bad lingering cough after . I am wondering if torn chest muscles would give these kinds of pain . I have a 140 pound dog which I have had to physically move off my bed a number of times lately . I am at a loss and scared . What the hell could this be ? I am 40 yrs old female , over weight and I smoke 8 cigs a day .