If I am correct, you are probably referring to the central region below your chest bone where the ribs meet. This is generally known as the upper abdomen or epigastrium.
Pain at this location or the nearby area can originate from surrounding organ structures including:
- the abdominal muscles
- ribs
- oesophagus
- stomach
- gallbladder
- pancreas
- as well as the heart and lungs.
Perhaps you should look out for associated symptoms such as breathlessness, sweating or pain associated with exertion that goes up your left shoulder. The above symptoms can indicate a problem from your heart especially if you have diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. You will need a cardiologist's evaluation in that case.
However, if you have bloating, the sensation of indigestion or heart burn, or dark urine, then the right person to see is a digestive specialist. Most muscular or rib pain after some straining is self-limiting and should go away with adequate rest.
