Understanding Forearm Pain: What Causes It And How To Find Relief 

Forearm pain can have many different causes, from injuries to underlying health conditions. Often, home remedies can help provide relief. Your forearm consists of two bones that come together to join at the wrist, called the ulna and radius. Injuries to these bones or to nearby nerves, muscles, or joints can lead to forearm pain. In many cases, pain in your forearm is not serious and will resolve on its own with rest and at-home care. However, sometimes there is an underlying cause that requires medical treatment. Forearm pain can result from a number of causes. These range from sudden injuries to repetitive strain to underlying medical conditions that damage nerves, bones, or joints. Much of the time, forearm pain is temporary and will improve on its own. But if it’s severe, accompanied by other symptoms, or does not improve in a few weeks, you should seek medical care. Some possible causes of forearm pain include: arthritis, when joints in your wrist or elbow become inflamed, sore, and may also swell tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, when your tendons become inflamed after injury or repetitive movements carpal tunnel syndrome, when swelling causes pressure on the median nerve in your wrist, often causing numbness in your hand and arm and pain that may radiate up the forearm sprains or strains, when an injury causes tearing or overstretching of ligaments (sprain) or muscles (strain) fractures, when an injury causes a bone to crack or break angina, a symptom of coronary artery disease that causes pain in your upper body, such as your chest or arms cervical radiculopathy, when a pinched nerve in your neck causes pain to radiate down your arm nerve problems, which can be the result of conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders Most of the time, pain in your arm or elbow is not a sign of a serious condition. It will often improve on its own. If the pain lasts more than a few weeks without getting better, it’s time to see your doctor. However, if your pain is severe, sudden, or accompanied by other symptoms, you should not wait to get help. Instead, call your doctor for guidance right away or get emergency care. Reasons to get medical attention with arm pain include: numbness or tingling in your arm your arm is swollen and you feel hot and shivery or have a high fever your arm hurts when you exercise but the pain stops when you rest you have difficulty moving your arm and extreme pain you heard a snapping noise when your arm was injured, or the shape of your arm has changed Together with forearm pain, these symptoms could mean you have a broken bone, an infection, or a heart condition. These are serious conditions, so it’s important to get checked out by a doctor right away. Arm pain can be a sign of heart attack Arm pain or discomfort can be a sign of heart attack, which is a life threatening condition. Heart attack warning signs If you think you could be having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. Treatments for forearm pain can vary based on the underlying cause. For mild sprains or strains, home remedies can help. If you’re diagnosed with an injury or another condition that’s affecting your arm, your doctor may also recommend some of these techniques as part of your care plan. Home remedies Resting your forearm can usually help to reduce inflammation. Icing the affected area with a cloth-covered ice pack for 5 minutes at a time, several times a day may also help to reduce swelling. Taking an over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help to reduce discomfort. Wearing a wrist brace or bandage that limits mobility may also help. Exercises In some cases, your doctor may recommend stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce forearm pain. They may also refer you to a physical therapist who can help you learn exercises and techniques to support healing. If your health care professional recommends stretching or exercises, they will choose specific techniques for you. The exercises they choose will vary based on which injury or condition is causing your forearm pain. Other exercises may not help or could even worsen your condition. You shouldn’t begin any exercise or stretching regimen without a doctor’s approval. Otherwise, you could risk worsening an injury. Stretches and exercises can be mildly uncomfortable, but you shouldn’t feel pain. If you notice pain, it’s best to stop the exercise and talk with your doctor or physical therapist. Wrist extensor stretch This stretch helps to reduce tension in the wrist extensor muscles in your forearm. It may be recommended for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow. How to do the wrist extensor stretch Hold your arm out parallel to the ground, extending from the shoulder. Turn your hand so your palm is facing downward toward the floor. Use the opposite hand to pull your outstretched hand down and toward your body, bending your wrist and feeling a stretch on top of your hand and forearm. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times on each side. Elbow bend Your doctor may recommend stretching your elbow, if a problem with this area is contributing to forearm pain. Although the exercise may seem similar to a bicep curl, it focuses on increasing the range of movement in your elbow area. How to do the elbow bend Stand up straight with your arms at your sides. Bend one arm upward, allowing the inside of your hand to touch your shoulder. If you can’t reach your shoulder, stretch only as close to it as you can. Hold this position for a few seconds. Lower your hand and repeat the exercise 10 times. Wrist turn Strengthen your forearm muscles with this exercise, which requires minimal equipment. This type of exercise may be recommended after an arm injury or fracture has healed. Once you can comfortably use your arm again, your doctor may recommend exercises similar to this one to increase your wrist stability and grip strength. How to do the wrist turn Grasp a water bottle or a can of soup in your hand, with the bottom of the object resting in your palm. Hold your arm out at shoulder height. Start with your palm facing upward. Holding onto the bottle or can, turn your arm and wrist until your palm faces downward. Continue alternating your palm facing upward to facing downward. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Exercises with weights are usually not recommended while you are first starting to heal from an injury. Instead, your doctor or physical therapist may recommend other exercises. If you have a mild sprain or strain, you may be able to manage your condition with home remedies. Rest your forearm and see a doctor if your symptoms get worse instead of improving. Your doctor can diagnose what’s causing your forearm pain. There are many treatments for this condition, and most people can successfully treat their symptoms without surgery. If you have sudden or severe arm pain, or other symptoms that cause concern, call for emergency medical help. When a serious injury or medical emergency is causing forearm pain, treatment can reduce the chance of complications and improve your outcomes.


7 Reasons You're Experiencing Pain In Your Left Arm And When It's A Sign Of A Medical Emergency 

Arm pain can have many causes, but left arm pain particularly can sometimes be a sign of a serious problem with your heart — especially if it's accompanied by chest pain or tightness.   That's because the heart and left arm share nerve pathways to the brain, so a problem with the heart can create referred pain in the left arm.  Here are seven causes of left arm pain and when it's a medical emergency.   1. Angina  Angina is a type of chest pain that typically occurs after a moment of exertion or stress (called stable angina), though it can also happen at rest (called unstable angina). It's a result of when the heart is deprived of oxygen due to a lack of blood supply, which causes pain in the chest and, sometimes, the left arm.      Angina feels like a "squeezing, pressure, or dull aching pain in the center of the chest. It can radiate to the arm, but it typically doesn't pass from the wrist into the hand," says Adedapo Iluyomade, MD, a preventive cardiologist at Baptist Health's Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. You may feel it in the center or to the left of the chest.  The pain usually lasts just a few minutes. In additional to chest and left arm pain, symptoms of angina include:  Pain in the jaw, neck, and shoulder  Nausea  Abdominal pain  Shortness of breath  Diaphoresis  Angina is usually due to coronary artery disease and estimated to affect 10-18 million people in the United States. Men over age 45 and women over age 55 are more likely to experience it.   In addition to coronary artery disease, some conditions that increase your risk of developing angina are: How to treat it: You should always get unexplained chest pain evaluated by a doctor to determine the underlying cause, but after a stable angina diagnosis from your doctor, the symptoms noted above are not a medical emergency.  Your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, like exercise and a healthier diet, and may prescribe medications to prevent or decrease the intensity of angina attacks.  However, Iluyomade says if you experience angina that does not go away with rest, progressively worsens over time, or is associated with sweating or shortness of breath, you should seek emergency care. It may be unstable angina, which can be a precursor to a heart attack.  2. Heart attack   A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency caused by lack of blood flow to the heart, possibly leading to permanent cardiac damage or death.  Just as in angina, heart attacks can cause sudden left arm pain. A 2013 study found that 17% of the surveyed people who had heart attacks also had radiating pain down the shoulder, upper arm, and forearm.     Other symptoms of a heart attack may include:    Chest pain or discomfort  Nausea or upper abdominal discomfort  Anxiety or feeling of dread  Sweating, dizziness, trouble breathing  While these are the typical symptoms of a heart attack, symptoms can vary, especially among women, who may be more likely to experience additional symptoms including back and shoulder pain and fatigue.  While angina typically lasts a few minutes and is relieved by rest, symptoms of a heart attack usually last uninterrupted for 10-15 minutes. Risk factors for a heart attack include:  Family history of heart attacks  Being male over age 45  Being female over age 55   High blood pressure  High cholesterol  Diabetes  Tobacco smoking  Alcohol and drug abuse  Obesity  How to treat it: A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 911 if you or someone near you is experiencing symptoms.   3. Muscle sprain and strain While sprains and strains are both usually caused by sports injury, overuse, or accidents, they are two distinct things: A sprain is damage to ligaments — the tissue that connects bones together.  A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon — the tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Both sprains and strains of your shoulder, biceps, and muscles of the forearm will cause pain, swelling, and inflammation. A muscle strain tends to also feature spasms, weakness, or cramping, while both conditions can cause difficulty moving the involved joint.  How to treat it: Mild sprains and strains can be treated at home with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and NSAIDS.   "Many sprains or strains just need a few weeks to recover from. However, with most orthopedic injuries if the pain has not substantially subsided in 3-4 weeks you should seek expert care," says Robert Anderson, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics.  Best muscle rubs People Images/Getty Images To help relieve muscle pain, you may want to check out our guide to the best muscle rubs. Best overall: Penetrex Pain Relief Cream - See at Amazon Best for cooling relief: Biofreeze Pain Relief Gel Roll-On - See at Amazon Best for warming relief: Sombra Warm Therapy Pain Relieving Gel - See at Walmart 4. Broken bone   A broken arm, also known as a fracture, can happen to any of the three bones in the arm, the radius and ulna, which make up the forearm, or the humerus — the upper arm bone.  Fractures are common across all ages, happening most often due to accidents, like in a car accident or falling on an outstretched arm from playing sports. As you age, fractures are more common because your bone density decreases, causing more brittle, breakable bones. There are other factors that can contribute to making you more likely to break bones, including undergoing chemotherapy, having a poor diet, or having a chronic disease like osteoporosis.  Broken arms usually cause significant, sharp pain along with:  Swelling  Bruising  Numbness  Difficulty moving without pain  How to treat it: If you think you have a broken arm you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Simple breaks can be set and then treated with just rest, ice, and a sling, but more severe breaks may require a cast and/or surgery.   5. Rotator cuff injury  The rotator cuff refers to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder. Injuries to this area are common, with up to two million people a year seeing a doctor for rotator cuff issues.  Tears of the rotator cuff muscles are often due to degeneration so they increase with age. Various estimates may differ but approximately 15%-30% of rotator cuff injuries occur in adults in their 60s and 70s and 36%-62% in adults over age 80.  Anderson says the main symptom for rotator cuff injuries is arm pain, especially with use of the arm out and away from the body and overhead. You can also have weakness, stiffness, numbness in your shoulder and arm along with increased pain at night.  You are at higher risk for rotator cuff injuries if you have a family history of shoulder issues and if your regular activities involve repetitive overhand shoulder movements like swimming, hammering, tennis, or lifting weights above your head.  How to treat it: Options for rotator cuff tears depend on the severity. About eight out of 10 cases of partial tears improve with rest, physical therapy, NSAIDS, and steroid injections. More severe cases, however, may require surgery.  6. Tendinitis  Tendinitis happens when tendons become inflamed or irritated due to overuse. It commonly occurs at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.  Just as in rotator cuff injuries, tendinitis can occur if you have a job or activity that uses repetitive motion. In addition to pain, you might have tenderness and swelling at the affected area and experience a dull, achy feeling.  Some types of tendinitis of the arm include:  Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, which causes pain on the outside of the elbow and up the forearm extensor muscles.  Golfers elbow, or medial epicondylitis, which causes pain on the inside of the elbow and up the forearm flexor muscles.  Biceps tendinitis, or bicipital tendinitis, which causes pain in the front of the shoulder where the biceps tendon lies in a groove of the humerus bone.  How to treat it: You can treat tendinitis similar to a rotator cuff injury with RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Physical therapy and steroid shots can also be effective for more serious cases, and there are surgical options for the most severe cases.  7. Pinched nerve  If nerves in your neck are compressed or irritated it can cause a radiating pain down the arm, called radiculopathy.  Radiculopathy can be caused by injury or spinal degeneration as you age. It happens when the discs in your spine stiffen and flatten, creating less space for spinal nerves, which can put pressure on them.  Depending on what spinal nerve is affected, you can have pain that may be sharp or burning in a specific area of your arm, sometimes with weakness, tingling, and numbness. The pain may be constant or come and go.   Nerves on the arm itself can also be compressed or pinched. This can cause cubital tunnel syndrome, which affects the inner forearm and hand, or carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the middle forearm to hand.  How to treat it: Cervical radiculopathy is treated similarly to other orthopedic conditions, with a combination of RICE, NSAIDs, physical therapy, immobilization (aka a collar), and steroids. More severe or unresponsive cases may require surgery, though that is rare, says Anderson.  Insider's takeaway  Left arm pain can be a red flag for a serious heart issue. If you have left arm pain along with shortness of breath, sweating, and chest discomfort seek emergency medical care.   Other causes of left arm pain are less urgent and usually treatable with some simple at-home care and medical treatment. 


What Causes Arm Numbness? 

Heart attacks occur when there is a lack of blood supply to the heart. Symptoms include: chest pain, pressure, or tightness pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, or back nausea and vomiting sweaty or clammy skin heartburn or indigestion shortness of breath coughing or wheezing lightheadedness or dizziness anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack If you think someone is having a heart attack: Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department. Get an automated external defibrillator (AED) if you know one is available nearby or send someone else to find one. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive. If the person stops breathing before first responders reach the scene, check for a pulse. If they have a pulse, provide rescue breathing (1 breath every 6 seconds or 10 breaths per minute), continuing to check their pulse every 2 minutes. If they do not have a pulse, begin CPR by following the steps below and use an AED to shock the heart as soon as one become available: Lock fingers together and place the base of hands in the center of the chest. Position shoulders over hands and lock elbows. Press hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute (or around two compressions per second), to a depth of 2 inches. Perform cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths, swapping over with someone else if needed without pausing compressions.