<s>[INST] pain below 6 vertibrae extending to left scapula and shoulder. also pain reaching up the neck. Spot is tender to the touch almost feels like a slight bulge. Seem to also get sweats. I am 62 yrs old and have had varous neck injuries  Also creates a tightness around left rib cage to the front [/INST] Hello ! Considering your age and symptoms it is essential to rule out heart problems. Kindly consult a physician for an EKG, echocardiography to check how well your heart is functioning. A mere musculoskeletal pain can also be the cause in which case analgesics (painkiller) and hot compress will help. If it s gastritis, proton pump inhibitor medications will work well. Since the pain is in lower chest, sometimes upper abdominal problems can also present similarly. All this can be confirmed only after examining you in person and getting few basic investigations done, including a chest x-ray PA view and ultrasound abdomen. Do consult a physician in person. </s>