stabbing pain in my side...

Hello,
I've been lurking in these forums for the last few months trying to gain insight into diet and exercise advice (down about 60 lbs... Yay!).
Anyway,  barring occasional back pain, all has been going fine on the injury front until the last couple of days.  A couple of days ago was the last time I worked out, using machines that focused on chest and Triceps as well as ab machine.  I don't recall any extreme pain, but in hindsite I do remember feeling a little twing during the chest press.
All was fine, the testerday I felt some pain on my left side, about 6 inches down from my armpit.  It was a sharp, burning pain like a wasp bite (which is what I thought it was initially).The pain subsided, and I didn't think about it again until yesterday evening when it started occuring more frequently.  I can't feel anything or see anything at the point of the pain (I don't even know if there is much in the way of muscle tissue there, I am/was hopelessly out of shape.)  It seems like getting into certain positions can trigger the pain, even sitting down abruptly to type triggered it a second ago.
Is this something I should grin and bear until it goes away, or should I get it looked at?  Its not unbearable, it just catches me by surprise.
 

what happens to you when you feel that pain, meaning, is it just the pain or does it catch your breath or anything else happen.  also what exercises are you doing when you feel it?  From what it sounds like i think it could be a muscle pain like in a lat because i have had that(a pulled muscle) and when you aggravate it, it can really be sharp.
 
At the same time, is the pain on the surface or more inside your body, because you should be aware that the pain(the way you desribed the location) is right near your heart.  I dont want to scare you because i am not a doctor, but i would always be aware of a pain in that area especially during exercise.
 
A muscle tear would usually have bruising, and you said there is nothing there, and a pulled muscle would usually hurt more frequently and on specific actions but i would try to see if you can figure out what the trigger of the pain is(certain actions).  I hope that helps.

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I've thought about the heart, but:
A) it seems outside the ridcage and right under my arm, right on/near the surface and
B) it seems to be triggered by moving that side of my body into specific positions rather than physical exertion.
 
I don't see much in the way of bruising, but I did notice while checking that the area is tender...
Its really hard to trigger while simulating exercise (tried a pushup and pulling down lightly on something, I haven't been to the gym since I felt it, and am probably not going to until it goes away).  However, I can feel it regularly just by jumping up and down, probably because of the jarring action...
 
Thanks for the advice, seems like it could be Lat related.

yeah the way you described that I think I have had the exact same thing.  I just ice it for ten minutes sometime during the day and hit the area hard with bengay and that usually takes care of it within 2-4 days but you might want to give it a week just so it doesnt come back.

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