The pain I get with the hug varies. Some days it is intense and lasts all day and all I can do that day is to be still and lay on my back or my side. Other days it will come and go to varying degrees through out the day - squeezing and releasing, squeezing and releasing. It never fully goes away and ranges from being uncomfortable and annoying to downright painful. I also get breakthrough nerve pain in my rib cage as well. Those days are not fun.

A pulled muscle can do the same thing. It can come and go in intensity. A pinched nerve would cause a burning electrical type pain that may come and go throughout the day.

Try putting some ice on the area when it happens again and see if that helps.