Computer and laptop work with long hours and poor posture is a common cause of rib and chest pain. Severe referred rib pain to the side and front of your chest can be caused by nerve and muscle inflammation to the facet joints in your middle back, Rhomboid muscles or ligaments between your shoulder blades or from nerves in your lower neck or mid back. It can be aggravated by breathing in, coughing, lifting, twisting or side bending of the neck, spine or rib cage.