Chest pain when cough or sneeze for the last week

Dear Ask The Doctor: For the last week i have been having bad head aches,pain in my chest when i swallow,cough,or sneeze.also pain on my left side of my should blade.do you have any idea what could be causing this? i do get heartburn alot but dont know if thats whats causing these symptoms

Dear Amber: Maybe you performed an extreme movement that produced a muscle spasm in the intercostal area or in some way the intercostal nerve got injured and now you are experiencing an Intercostal neuritis, which is often associated with injury or inflammation of the nerves, muscles, cartilage and ligaments in the rib cage and middle spine area. Intercostal neuralgia may resolve by its own or it may require treatment. The suggested strategy would be: please, try to be patient and do not expect an overnight improvement, take anti inflammatory medication and also Vitamin B complex supplement. Local moist heat helps to ease the pain. An again, try to avoid activities that worsen the pain. If the pain persist the next step would be a nerve block.