Muscle spasms
Another popular factor responsible for an MS hug is Muscle spasms. In most cases, intercostal muscles between the ribs that help in breathing movements are usually affected. According to experts, people who experience muscle spasms or a little involuntary movement may also feel a tightening sensation or sharp pain.
Causes not related to MS
The tightening sensation that accompanies MS hug can be caused by other factors, such as:
- Shingles
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [2]
- Inflammation of the spinal cord
- Heart attack [3]
- Anxiety
In cases where you have not been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or any other disease, the best way to detect the cause of the tingling sensation is by your doctor’s evaluation. If you start to feel like you’re experiencing a heart attack, you need to visit the emergency room immediately.