Many people experience arm pain and want to know how to relieve it. But when it comes to arm pain, we first need to identify the symptoms and causes of the pain and also the area in the arm where we are experiencing severe pain.
Usually, people think arm pain is when you feel pain in your upper arm, i.e., in the area between the shoulder and the elbow. But in reality, if you feel pain between your shoulders and your wrist, it can be classified as arm pain. So you should know how to relieve arm pain in case you feel pain in the shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist.
Knowing how to relieve arm pain enables you to handle the situation before it becomes severe.
What causes arm pain?
To know better how to relieve arm pain, it’s necessary to know what factors cause it. The common causes of arm pain are:
- Tendonitis
- Pinched Nerves
- Broken Bones
- Sprains
- Angina
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Heart Attack
What are the symptoms of arm pain?
The symptoms of arm pain vary depending on the cause. If you feel a sharp pain in your arm, this symptom shows pinched nerves. If you can’t turn your palm, that can be due to broken bones, etc. In general, the common symptoms of arm pain are: –
- Swelling
- Redness In Arm
- Swollen Lymph Nodes Under The Arm
- Stiffness
How to Relieve Arm Pain?
After understanding the reasons and symptoms of arm pain, we need to know how to relieve arm pain. Here are five ways.
1) Rest
If you are feeling mild pain in your arm and trying to figure out how to relieve arm pain, the first thing you must do is rest your arm. Mild pain can be a result of minor tissue damage that happens due to excess use of arms. Doing an activity repetitively for longer hours, like exercising, typing, writing, etc, can lead to arm pain. Rest is the most significant factor that helps repair soft tissue damage.
If you don’t rest your arm and keep doing activities using that arm, it will put additional strain on your arm, leading to more soreness, pain, and possibly more damage, and will delay your recovery time. You can use your arm for more straightforward activities, but stop if a movement strains you. It’s crucial to rest your arm for the first 24 to 72 hours; during this time, usually, the minor goes away.
2) Use An Ice Pack
Using an ice pack is a safe way to relieve pain. Just wrap it in a towel and place it on the area on the arm where you are feeling pain. Do it for at least 15 to 20 minutes thrice a day. If you cannot find an ice pack, you can use a bag of frozen peas or ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap it in a towel and place it on the affected area.
You can also soak a towel in cold water and apply that to the affected area. Ice greatly helps in reducing swelling. The cold temperature numbs the tissue causing pain, which is why this way of relieving arm pain is one of the easiest ones when it comes to knowing how to relieve arm pain. Remember not to apply ice directly on the arm, as this can cause other issues like frostbite.
3) Apply A Hot Compress:=
You can use a hot compress to get rid of arm pain. But remember, you should use it only after 48 hours have passed since you experienced an injury or pain in the arm. Applying heat increases the blood flow to the area, greatly decreasing stiffness and reducing pain.
Fill your hot water bag with hot water and put it on the arm where it aches for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this a few times daily. If you don’t have a hot water bag, you can simply stand in the shower and run warm to slightly hot water over your arm for 5 to 10 minutes.
4) Take Painkillers
If you have mild pain in your arm and are wondering how to relieve arm pain without going to a doctor, there is an easy solution. You can use over-the-counter painkillers. Some common OCT painkillers are ibuprofen and aspirin. Almost everyone has these painkillers in their house, and they are straightforward to get from the nearest pharmacy, in case you don’t already have these.
OCT painkillers are extremely helpful in treating discomfort and pain quickly. But don’t use painkillers for a more extended period than it’s recommended.
5) Opt For Interventional Pain Therapies:
If you have had arm pain for quite some time now, and you are still in search of how to relieve arm pain, then you should opt for interventional pain therapies. These range from simple medication management to physiotherapy exercises. These are your only option if your arm pain is not going away even after some time. You should consult your doctor and go for what they suggest.
Some standard interventional pain therapies include: –
- Steroid Injections
- Prescription Medication
- Creams or other Topical Agents
- Physical Therapy
- Spinal Cord Stimulator
- Massage
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Acupuncture
FAQs:
We have provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to relieve arm pain, but we understand you still might have some questions in your mind that people often ask.
Is neck pain related to arm pain?
Neck pain often causes pain in the arms, too. Degenerative changes in the cervical spine or herniation cause pain that often radiates to the arm and even hands.
How do I know if I have an underlying condition?
Your arm pain can be a result of an underlying condition like arthritis. So while focusing on how to relieve arm pain, you should also consider finding the root cause of the arm pain. The best way is to consult a doctor and get a proper examination.
I don’t have any underlying condition, so why do I still have arm pain?
Your arm pain can result from a traumatic injury, like a fall or a sudden random movement or activity that you did. Stress can also factor in arm pain since it weakens one’s immune system.
Do home remedies work to relieve arm pain?
Of course, they work well in case you have mild arm pain. Home remedies not only relieve mild pain in the arm but also don’t have any side effects.
Conclusion
If you have arm pain and are wondering how to relieve arm pain, you have come to the right place. In this article, we go through the causes and symptoms of arm pain to get detailed knowledge of how to relieve arm pain. This article covers everything from quick solutions to medical processes to guide you on how to relieve arm pain.