What is Arm Pain?
Arm pain is a very common problem that can be related to any discomfort in the movement from the shoulder to the arm’s fingertips. It can happen due to some injuries or due to the high involvement in varying sports activities. If you are sitting in the wrong posture, even then you can face the problem of arm pain.
There is no certain age for anyone to have the problem of arm pain. The stiffness and soreness can happen to anyone and thus make it difficult to deal with daily activities.
Causes Of Arm Pain:
What Are The Major Causes of Right Arm Pain?
Pain in the right arm is usually felt by people who are right-handlers. According to experts, stress and strain are the two major causes of pain in the right arm. Stress is a general cause which we all are dealing with and which can be caused due to a number of reasons.
On the other hand, the strain can be caused due to over-stretching or muscle tearing, causing severe pain in the right arm. The various other reasons for pain in the right arm and hand such as:
- Bone and joint ailments.
- Nerve root compression.
- Peripheral nerve disorder.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome.
The Major Causes of Left Arm Pain:
The major reasons for left arm pain are a bit different than that of pain in the right arm. It is usually an injury that causes pain in the left arm but sometimes the reason could be more complicated. Higher chances of heart attack and bursitis are some of the major reasons for the pain in the left arm. There is a sack of fluid which is present between the bone and the joint’s moving parts and the inflammation of this causes bursitis.
Other Left Arm Pain Causes are as follows:
- Broken bone.
- Herniated disk.
- Rotator cuff tear.
- Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome.
Symptoms of Arm Pain:
What Are The Possible Symptoms of Arm Pain?
Many different left arm pain symptoms can result in unbearable pain. Though the symptoms for right arm muscle pain and pain in the left arm are almost the same, some of the symptoms may vary as per the condition of the person. There is also a high chance that the problem of arm pain can be caused due to heart problems. Too much pain and swelling in the left arm can be a possible symptom of a heart attack.
The other Left Arm Pain Symptoms are as follows:
- Redness.
- Numbness.
- Weakness.
- Stiffness.
- Tingling.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness.
- Difficulty in hand movement.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Excessive sweating.
When to Consider Arm Pain as an Emergency?
Most of us never consider upper arm pain as anything serious but it is recommended never to take any muscle pain in the arm lightly. Many health experts suggest having consultations with doctors in case of arm pain.
If you are feeling the symptoms of arm pain for quite a long time, especially in the left arm, then you must immediately consult a doctor as it can further cause some serious health problems. Moreover, if the pain continues to grow along with symptoms like swelling, you must not waste any time getting doctor’s consultations. Any deformity or bone protruding in any arm can be one of the reasons for arm pain which should be considered an emergency.
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What Are The Possible Treatments for Arm Pain?
Precaution is better than cure. The saying also implies when dealing with the problem of arm pain. Firstly, the symptoms which are the left arm pain should be identified and treated at the earliest to avoid any complexities. The earlier you detect the symptoms, the earlier you can start with the arm pain remedy.
If you are presently suffering from the problem of arm pain and are looking for the best alternatives for its treatment, then here are some of the possible options that you can try:
- Antibiotics.
- Injections.
- Cold compress.
- Elastic wrap.
- Applying ice packs.
- Bed rest.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs).
- Homemade natural remedies.
- Surgeries, for complicated cases.
Natural and Best Home Remedies For Arm Pain Relief:
The following are the home remedies that can be tried when you are struggling with the problem of arm pain:
1. Cold Compress:
This is one of the most effective home remedies that you can try to get rid of pain in the upper right arm. However, this treatment works best only in the initial stages but it can be tried later as well for getting relief from the pain.
How To Do:
- Put some ice cubes in a towel and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Wrap the same towel around the affected area for 15 minutes.
- Repeat the same process for a few days.
The cold temperature will help to reduce the pain by making the affected area numb. Further, it will also reduce the inflammation caused.
See More: Remedies To Relief Foot Pain
2. Hot Compress:
Just like the cold compress, even the hot compress can be quite effective against the problem of right shoulder and arm pain. To get the best results from this remedy, make sure to use it only after 48 hours of injury or the beginning of the pain.
How To Do:
- Soak a towel in a hot tub and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove all the excess water from the towel.
- Wrap the towel around the affected area for about 15-20 minutes.
- Repeat the process for a few days.
The hot compress will enhance the blood flow and thus reduce stiffness and pain.
3. Elevation:
In some cases, using the method of elevation can be the most beneficial for arm pain. The process of elevation will reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness by enhancing the proper blood flow towards the affected area. Though this process can be painful, it will speed up the recovery process.
How To Do:
- Use 1-2 pillows to elevate the affected arm from the normal position.
- You can also make use of a sling to keep the arm elevated.
Proper elevation will reduce the pressure off the affected area along with making it more comfortable. However, you must make sure not to have too high an elevation as it may enhance the upper left arm pain.
4. Massage:
Massaging the painful area with gentle normal pressure can also help reduce the pain. The process of proper massaging can improve blood circulation along with reducing the pain under the armpit and arm. It also speeds up the repairing of the damaged tissues which further helps in better recovery from arm pain.
How To Do:
- Warm any preferred oil, generally almond oil, mustard oil, olive oil, and coconut oil, for a few minutes.
- Apply the heated oil to the affected area and massage for a few minutes.
- Repeat the process for a few days.
Make sure that you are not being too harsh when massaging the affected area as it may increase the pain and will complicate the problem. Be very gentle when massaging the affected area for better results and faster recovery.
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The Additional Tips for Preventing Arm Pain:
If you are wondering if arm pain can be prevented, then yes it can be prevented by following the additional tips. Interested in knowing the tips which can prevent arm pain? Here are some of them:
- Make sure to eat a balanced diet that can avoid the possible causes of arm pain.
- Avoid sleeping just on one arm.
- Always remember to use good posture for sleeping, sitting and walking.
- Do keep an eye on the symptoms along with the arm pain causes and get them treated as soon as they are detected.
- Include exercise in your daily routine to keep all the body muscles in good condition.
The pain in the left arm and shoulder can really be complicated if it is not treated effectively. As mentioned, the person should never ignore any of the symptoms of arm pain as it can turn into something serious if left ignored.
Let us know if you have any other suggestions or possible home remedies that can provide effective relief from the pain in the arm and shoulder. Also, comment below if you have any doubts regarding the arm pain causes. Our experts will get in touch with you with the best possible solution.
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about arm pain:
1. Are Home Remedies Effective for the Prevention and Cure of Arm Pain?
Yes, home remedies are quite effective for preventing arm pain. Further, some home remedies are so effective that they can bring maximum relief to the existing problem of arm pain.
The best thing about these home remedies for arm pain is the use of natural ingredients for fighting against the problem of arm pain. These home remedies, thus, have no side effects associated with them. However, you must be sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients that you are using for making the natural arm pain remedy.
2. Are There Any Temporary Solutions to Ease Arm Pain?
However, it is really advisable always to consider permanent solutions for arm pain as they will solve the problem from the root. But, if due to any circumstances, it is not possible to get aid from the permanent solutions, you can try the temporary solutions as well.
The best temporary solution that you can try to reduce arm pain is to apply an ice pack to the affected area. The ice pack will ease the pain along with reducing the inflammation in the shoulder and arm pain.
3. What is The Recovery Procedure After The Surgery?
If you recently had surgery for your arm pain, then you must take really good care of yourself in the initial two days. The first two days after the surgery are quite painful and thus they demand extra and special attention. For better recovery, you must consult with your doctor about the activities that you can do.
Generally, the recovery phase lasts about 2 weeks with all the proper medications and precautions. However, if your case is severe, the recovery phase can take almost a month.
