Upper arm muscle pain can substantially affect your day-to-day activities. The cause of your pain might be easy to figure out, especially if you experienced a traumatic injury or recently exercised at the health club. Nevertheless, other causes of upper arm muscle pain, such as shoulder injuries, nerve compression or medical conditions consisting of cancer, stroke or heart attack, may not be immediately evident. See your doctor for a precise diagnosis if you have upper arm muscle pain.
Causes of Upper Arm Muscle Ache and Weakness
According to medical specialists, pain in the upper arm is normally located in between the shoulder and the elbow. Arthritis needs to be the first thing that pops into your mind the moment you hear about this type of pain, but there are more causes that can lead to this discomfort.
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain is a likely cause of upper arm muscle ache. This injury takes place when a muscle is overstretched. Muscle pressures vary in seriousness; there might be very little muscle tissue damage, or there might be tearing of the muscle fibers. Mild pressures may heal within 1 to 3 days, while severe stress might take a few months to heal. Upper arm muscle pressures may occur with heavy lifting or repeated use of your arm. Pain from these stress usually increases with activity and reduces with rest. Severe stress may cause bruising on the skin of your upper arm.
Shoulder Injury
Inflammation of your shoulder joint or the tendons that move your shoulder might cause hurting in your upper arm muscles. This pain– called referred pain– is usually felt along the outer muscles in your upper arm, not in your shoulder where the injury really took place. The most typical cause of this type of pain is shoulder impingement– pinching of structures between the bones in your shoulder. This condition might develop from recurring overhead work, sports activities or extended poor posture. Pain in your upper arm generally increases with activity and might decrease with rest. These shoulder injuries are typically effectively treated with physical therapy.
Nerve Compression
Nerves exit your spinal column in between each of your vertebrae, which are the bones that make up your spine. Cervical spine nerves leave the vertebrae in your neck, supplying sensation to the skin and power to the muscles in your arms and hands. The back nerve C5 materials sensation to your upper arm. This nerve can be compressed by bulging discs that supply cushioning between the bones in your spine, or by narrowing of the holes through which the nerves exit. C5 nerve compression can cause pain in your upper arm, generally along the external border. Neck pain may or might not be present with this condition. Positioning your arm over your head may reduce upper arm pain caused by cervical nerve impingement.
Other Conditions
Less typically, upper arm muscle pain might be caused by underlying medical conditions such as stroke or heart attack. These conditions might be deadly and are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness or tingling on one side of the body, weakness, slurred speech, chest pain or pressure, dizziness or pain that radiates to your jaw. Upper arm muscle pain may also be caused by malignant or non-cancerous growths. Other signs of cancer may include inexplicable weight loss, fatigue and loss of appetite. Seek instant medical interest if you have actually arm pain associateded with by any of these symptoms.
How to Treat the Pain
Medication Name (Brand) | Proper Use |
---|---|
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) | Take 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours while symptoms persist. Do not exceed 1200 mg in 24 hours unless directed by a doctor. Take with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. |
Naproxen (Aleve) | Take 220 mg every 8 to 12 hours. For the first dose, you may take 440 mg. Do not exceed 660 mg in any 8- to 12-hour period, or 440 mg in any 12-hour period thereafter. |
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Adults should take 500-1000 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not to exceed 3000 mg per day. |
Aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin) | Adults can take 325 to 650 mg every 4 hours as needed. Do not exceed 4000 mg in 24 hours. |
Diclofenac topical gel (Voltaren) | Apply gel to the affected area, using the dosing card to measure the correct amount, up to 4 times a day. Do not apply to more than two body areas simultaneously. |
Capsaicin cream (Capzasin, Zostrix) | Apply a small amount to the affected area 3 to 4 times per day. It may take several days to feel the full effect. Wash hands thoroughly after application to avoid mucosal irritation. |
Menthol (Icy Hot, Bengay) | Apply a thin layer to the affected area up to 4 times daily. Do not use with a heating pad. |
Lidocaine patch (Lidoderm, Aspercreme) | Adults can apply up to 3 patches, for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Use only on intact skin and avoid contact with eyes. |