Hello and welcome to HCM, Soreness below the rib cage which pains on touching, laughing or sneezing could be due to disease process involving the pleura or some musculoskeletal disorder. Is there any history of trauma or injury to the chest? If yes then injury or trauma could lead to pain in the chest region. Pleural involvement by disease process like infection or inflammation can also cause pain in the chest region. A consultation with your physician for clinical assessment, relevant investigations and management is required to make a diagnosis and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri