Pain increasing is not something to leave alone. Tightness is in area like you describe is always worth staying on. I also did a good work up and now I just finished a physical therapy routine, not what I wanted during December and January but I am stronger and this MS hug in chest and ribs and sometimes tummy was a real problem for me, now I am doing better and the ribs and chest feel way better. I also needed some breathing training, seems I like to hold my breath.

I have been seeing a Feldenkris Worker who helps release my ribs and that stabbing pain or hug in the chest/back area. I have also found Cranio Sacral release work helps.

For me it feels like an ever tightening corset...but without the benefits of a corset.... Occasionally feels like it's hard to expand my lungs... I can always breathe, but getting a good deep breath is tough.

The way I describe it the MS hug is a feeling of numbness around my waist and chest area. Like your housecoat belt it too snug.

My ms hug was in my diaphragm, it felt like an electric shock if I took a deep breath. It has also woken me up in the middle of the night and felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me, and I was gasping for air. Scary!