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If nagging arm pain has left you with reduced range of motion and struggling to perform basic tasks, you may be dealing with an underlying injury. Join Airrosti’s Brooke Green, DC, as she explains the common causes and injuries associated with arm pain. She also covers traditional treatment methods and how Airrosti can help you find arm pain relief.
Arm pain can present itself in various sections of the arm. You may experience pain in the rotator cuff or shoulder, elbow pain, wrist pain, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Arm pain is often caused by a sports or activity-related injury, but can also be caused by soft tissue imbalance, a joint injury, a pinched nerve, or restricted blood flow.
While we usually think of an arm injury as something that happens during activity, it can also occur over a long period of time. Because of our reliance on our arms to complete everyday tasks, they can easily become overworked. Overuse injuries involving the arm can develop if the arm is used to compensate for weakness in other muscles, like the shoulders, neck, or back.
Identifying the specific location of your pain can often help determine the type of injury involved. A muscle strain in your bicep or tricep will most likely be felt in the upper arm. Injuries like tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome will likely manifest pain in the forearm and wrist.
Common causes of arm pain include:
Symptoms of arm pain may vary based on the location of the injury. In some cases, arm pain can be a symptom of a problem in other parts of the body, like your neck or shoulder joint.
Potential signs of an arm injury include:
Severe traumatic injuries like fractures may feature additional symptoms like bruising and difficulty moving your arm. Depending on the cause, pain can start suddenly or develop over time.
Pain in the left arm, combined with excessive sweating, nausea, difficulty breathing, palpitations, fainting, or chest pain can be signs of a heart attack. Please call 911 if you think you might be having a heart attack.
Older adults have a greater chance of having arm problems because they lose muscle mass as they age. Children may have arm problems because of overuse injuries. Injuries in children occur more often because their bones have not fully developed. Individuals who exercise with improper form, or try to exercise beyond their limits, are also more likely to sustain an arm injury.
The treatment for arm pain depends on the underlying cause. For pain due to overuse injuries, the treatment typically includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
If the pain is more severe, a splint or sling, or anti-inflammatory medications for pain may be prescribed. For more severe injuries, like fractures or complete muscle tears, surgery may be recommended.
At Airrosti, our providers will conduct a thorough evaluation of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific injury. In addition, we also provide tools and resources that can boost your recovery and help you avoid future pain..
Don’t let chronic arm pain hold you back. schedule an appointment with an Airrosti provider today and get back to doing the things you love most, pain free.
We offer convenient remote telehealth options in addition to in-office visits. Call us today at (800) 404-6050 to learn more about treatment at Airrosti or find a provider near you.
Reviewed by Casey Crisp, Doctor of Chiropractic
Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.
I had been in a lot of pain for several months, and I had very limited movement in my arm. I had been going to a massage therapist for 2 months, then a chiropractor for 8 months with no relief. During the time I was going to the chiropractor, I went to a myofascial tissue release specialist paid $100 and she mainly talked to me for an hour. After one session with Dr. Wells, I had some relief. After the second session, I had more relief and a lot more mobility. After the third session, I feel like I’m about 75% back to normal. The therapy is painful but well worth enduring a little pain to get rid of the constant pain and get mobility back. Thank you Dr. Wells!
by Donita Garza
Dr. Newman provided awesome treatment. When I made the appointment, my pain level in my arm was at a 10. After receiving 3 treatments, my pain level was at a 1 or better. I can't thank Dr. Newman and his staff enough for the cordial and professional treatment that I received at Forney Family Medical. Special thanks to Amy, the physical therapist for providing me with exercises that worked. I would recommend Airrosti to anyone in the Forney area.
by Dennis Kiger
I owe Doctor Olds my USAPL Nationals Qualifying total. After two months of pain while doing anything with my left arm, to the point that I could no longer hold a barbell on my back for heavy squats, I decided to listen to the athletes at my gym and go see Doc Olds for the pain. I immediately felt welcome in the office, and could see that Olds was genuinely concerned with the problems I was having. After the first visit I was able to hold the barbell on my back for squats, and three visits later I was able to bench press properly again. I know if I had not gone to see Doctor Olds, I would not have qualified for USA Powerlifting Nationals this April, and would not be prepping to attempt a 415 wilks at Nationals in October. Olds gives pheno...+ show moremenal care, has an in-depth knowledge of sports injuries and how to treat them, and he also happens to be hilarious which helped get through the pain of the initial visit. He and his assistant, Sara Geer, make a perfect health and recovery team. I send any and all athletes I know who have pain or injuries, straight to their office.
by Rachele Lehmann
Dr. Carpenter did a great job on my arm! I am a professional baseball player and I had elbow surgery 18 months ago from tearing a ligament while throwing a pitch. Recently I started having problems with tightness and loss of range of motion. I noticed immediate results after the first visit and am 100% back to normal after just 3 visits with him. I am able to continue workouts and throwing as if nothing ever popped up. If I am ever struggling with pain or tightness anywhere I will absolutely be giving Dr. Carpenter a call. He was extremely helpful and informative and I definitely am thankful I reached out to him!
by Britt Robertshaw
I met Travis at the Mid Atlantic CrossFit Regionals in Fairfax Virginia. Going into regionals, I had extreme pain in my left arm after gripping overhead (muscle ups and rope climbs). After going to see Travis, my pain had significantly decreased after both events including ropes and muscle ups. Not only did he make me feel better physically, he explained to me what he was doing and how Airrosti methods were different. I was able to make an appointment with him both days and it was important to me to have the same doctor throughout the event (and only have to explain my issues once). Even though some of the work that has to be done to get your body moving right, is a bit uncomfortable, his pleasant bed side manner made it more bearable. T...+ show morehe team of doctors there were knowledgeable and professional. It was great to have a team on site to help with the athletes from morning until night, especially with the amount of high intensity workouts that were performed throughout the weekend.
by Andrea
I do vigorous fitness and Krav Maga often. After a few years, my upper arm became very stiff, painful, and interrupted my daily activities. I had no explanation for it. I was referred to Arrosti and within 3 visit my arm was back to normal. Even better, I know exactly how to take care of my arm to prevent future problems.
by Cherylee W.