Arm Pain Causes

Arm pain can be experienced in any part of the hand, from the shoulder to the wrist. Any disorder related to the arm is one of the major causes of arm pain. However, sometimes, it is also observed that arm pain is not at all related to the arm; but, is caused due to some problem or disorder in other parts of the body.

Causes of Arm Pain
The pain experienced in arm can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is the sharp pain that occurs suddenly; but lasts for a shorter period. On the other hand, the frequently experienced dull, aching or burning pain that lasts for a long time is chronic pain. Let us take a look at the causes of arm pain in detail.

Muscle Strain: Muscle strain is one of the most common causes of upper arm pain. Muscle strain can occur due to a muscle tear or muscle pull. Muscle strain is usually observed in people who frequent sports like tennis, swimming, etc. Sudden movement of the arm or the shoulder can also cause muscle strain.

Injury / Fracture: Muscle sprain is the sudden wrenching of ligaments which leads to arm pain. Apart from this, any kind of injury or trauma, fracture, etc., also results in arm pain. In case of injury and fracture, arm pain is accompanied by swelling and numbness. Tendinitis or inflammation of the tendons is also one of the causes of upper arm pain.

Tennis Elbow: Tennis elbow, also known as the shooter's elbow, is the soreness of the outer part of the elbow. Although this condition is usually seen in case of tennis players, it can also be found in other people. Pain in the elbow is the most prominent symptom of tennis elbow which is followed by stiffness.

Heart Diseases: Diseases related to the heart are the most common reasons for left arm pain. One may experience excruciating left arm pain and tingling due to angina, or possibility of a heart attack. Along with left arm pain, the other symptoms observed are chest pain, sweating and difficulty in breathing, etc.

Cancer: Swollen lymph nodes or tumor in the breast are the major underarm pain causes. The pain experienced due to a cancerous growth is burning or aching type of pain. Underarm pain can also be caused due to injury in shoulders or breasts, or damage to the nerve.

Other Arm Pain Causes: Any damage or pressure on the nerves of the neck can lead to left or right arm pain. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), caused due to injury to nerves, is also one of the important reasons for right arm pain. Bad posture is another common cause of shoulder and arm pain. Sleeping with your arm under your body or excess strain on the neck due to any activity or sport can result in arm pain. Bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis are the major causes of pain in joints of the arms. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, i.e., the tiny sacs filled with fluid that are located in joints. Stress can also be a cause of arm pain.

Treatment of Arm Pain
Treatment of arm pain depends on the cause of the pain. When one experiences arm pain with other symptoms like stiffness, inability to move arms, numbness, burning sensation, etc., he must immediately consult the doctor. As arm pain treatment can vary according to the cause, sometimes, medications or massage therapy can prove to be effective. Whereas, in some cases, a surgery may be required. It is better to get the cause diagnosed quickly to get relief from arm pain.

Lastly, note that one can be relieved from arm pain if proper treatment is undertaken as soon as possible! Therefore, it is wise to take necessary steps. Take care!