When you have a pulled chest muscle, it can feel like your whole chest is tight and painful. The pain might be sharp and severe, or it might be a dull ache. You might feel the pain when you breathe in deeply, cough, or sneeze. You might also feel pain when you try to lift your arm up or reach out to the side. Depending on how severe the injury is, the pain can last for a few days to a couple of weeks. If you think you have a pulled chest muscle, see your doctor so they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment.