There are clinics, but they aren't equipped to deal with serious issues. They have what we call urgent care that is similar, but depending on the area they charge up front and have limited capabilities too. As others said the ER is always an option, but is very, very expensive. Absurdly expensive really.
Little sore but not bad. The pain was only really bad while I was working. Went to the store and got over the counter pain relievers and anti inflammatory stuff. Put some heat on it, stretched a little bit, and have been taking it easy otherwise. The location and severity of the pain, combined with my medical history (my heart has always been defective, had chest pain since I was 8) and being in shit shape made me worry initially.
I think it's either a pulled muscle, inflammation in the muscles around the sternum, or both. Gonna try to get a little more exercise in tomorrow and hopefully it'll be ok by the time I work again, on friday night.
To the people saying just go and damn the costs, I get that pov I really do. But I've spent the last 6 years digging my way out of medical debts and debts incurred in my divorce. Undoing the last 6 years of work in one swoop because I'm in pain simply is not an option. It just isn't. Not unless I really think death is imminent. Thanks to some of the advice I got ITT I think I've narrowed it down to relatively minor muscle strain and or inflammation that while painful isn't life threatening, so if that's the case I'm going to tough it out. Appreciate everyone that expressed concern or gave me advice.