Arm Pain at Night

Arm pain is the dull or aching pain experienced around the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Frequent arm pain that does not subside even on taking rest is definitely a cause of concern, and should not be ignored. There are numerous causes that can lead to arm pain. Arm pain during nighttime, specially, is a common problem which may or may not be related only to the arms. Let us take a look at arm pain causes.

Causes of Arm Pain

Arm pain is a generic term used to describe pain experienced in the hand, around the wrist, upper and lower arm, etc. Here, the causes of different kinds of arm pain are described in detail.

Muscle Strain: Muscle strain is the most common cause of severe arm pain that occurs at night. Muscle strain is caused if the muscle is pulled or stretched due to any strenuous activity or sport. On the other hand, if a ligament gets over-stretched, one also experiences muscle sprain, which can even lead to arm pain.

Injury: Any kind of injury to the muscles of the arm can cause nighttime arm pain. Injury to the arm, trauma or fracture; sudden forceful movement, or lifting any object can result in arm pain. In case of injury, pain is followed by other symptoms like swelling and numbness.

Shoulder and Arm Pain

Rotator Cuff Injury: Any kind of injury to the rotator cuff causes arm and shoulder pain at night. Rotator cuff injury is an injury to any of the four muscles in the shoulder, caused due to sudden raising of the arm or degeneration of muscles. It is commonly found in sportsmen.

Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae present in the joints. Repetitive powerful movements or excessive pressure on the joints can result in bursitis. It is also one of the most common causes of shoulder and arm pain at night. Arthritis of the shoulder, dislocation of any of the shoulder muscles, and tennis elbow are some of the other causes for the same.

Upper Arm Pain

Branchial Plexus Injury: The branchial plexus is a network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the arm. Any injury to the branchial nerve causes arm pain as its primary symptom. It is followed by lost control in hand or wrist and numbness.

Tendinitis: Tendinitis refers to the inflammation of the tendons which is caused due to injury or overuse. It occurs mostly in joints, and can lead to swelling, stiffness and even pain in arms. The pain due to tendinitis worsens after an activity and even at night.

Heart Attack: Left arm pain is a classic symptom of heart attack in both, men as well as women. Therefore, if you experience severe left arm pain, there may be chances of a heart attack. However, it is essential to look out for other symptoms of heart attack like chest pain, sweating, breathing disorders, etc.

Leg and Arm Pain

Restless Leg Syndrome: Although restless leg syndrome affects the leg, sometimes it can also cause arm pain. The pain caused due to this condition is commonly observed at night. A person may experience burning or tickling sensation in the leg as well as arm. This causes an irresistible and uncomfortable urge to move legs or arms.

Treatment of Arm Pain

Consulting your doctor should be the first thing on your cards if you experience frequent arm pain at night. As you have read above, arm pain can be due to minor as well as severe conditions. Therefore, it is wise to consult your doctor as soon as possible. If your arm appears to swell, you should try to remove watch and other jewelry as soon as possible; as later it can cause a lot of pain. In minor cases, home remedies can help in getting rid of the condition. For e.g., taking rest, applying cold pack and compress, etc. are effective for treating arm pain caused due to minor conditions. On the other hand, in serious cases, the doctor may prescribe certain medications, ointments or pain killers. In certain cases, a surgery may even be required. If symptoms of heart attack are observed, one should look for emergency medical services.

We conclude by summarizing the aforementioned fact, that arm or shoulder pain at night can be a warning sign of a serious injury or ailment, and hence, should not be ignored. Taking proper and timely treatment will help in easing the pain effectively. Take care!