Dorothy FarrarNerve pain in the arm
nerves are important. They represent the natural human alarm system. But when they hurt, it is usually almost unbearable. Nerve pain in the arm in particular can make everyday life difficult for us. Because: They restrict the natural freedom of movement massively. Nerve pain in the arm can have various causes and should be clarified by a doctor.
What is nerve pain in the arm?
Doctors refer to nerve pain as neuralgia. It can affect any area of the arm. A stabbing, pulling pain in the shoulder and upper arm is particularly common. But it can also extend to the forearm and hands. The pain is felt mainly during movement of the affected arm. But complaints can also occur at night. Depending on the cause, the sensation of pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling . Above all, the symptoms occur when working overhead, such as combing your hair or putting on a sweater.
causes
But what is behind the nerve pain in the arm? There are a number of causes that can lead to this. On the one hand, there can be severe tension in the shoulder muscles and they can press on a nerve in the arm. The symptoms can even radiate to the neck and throat area. Neck tension is also often involved. The hardening, in turn, can usually be traced back to incorrect posture and insufficient physical activity.Computer work coupled with an incorrect sitting posture and the lack of physical activity ensure that a muscular imbalance develops. As a result, some muscles cramp and become hard. This hardening then presses on the nerves and causes the unpleasant pain. The nerves can also become inflamed as a result of precisely this incorrect strain on the muscles, which is also associated with pain in the upper arm and/or forearm. If the pain is felt in the forearm, it can be so severe that hand and finger movements become almost impossible.
Bad posture can pinch and irritate nerves. Important nerves in the arm are the radial nerve (radial nerve), which begins in the armpit and then runs down the outside of the arm, and the ulnar nerve, which runs along the inside of the arm (ulna nerve). Both nerves can be pinched by tense muscles . But sometimes the cause of nerve pain in the arm lies elsewhere.
For example, a herniated disc in the cervical spine can cause pain in the arm, often associated with tingling and numbness. But viruses can also cause nerve pain. In this case, they lead to an inflammation of nerves, such as in shingles, which is caused by the herpes virus. In some cases, tumors or an existing diabetes are also responsible for the pain in the arm.
Diseases
diagnosis and course
A doctor’s visit is indicated if the pain is intense and long-lasting. The doctor can already draw conclusions about the underlying cause from the description. In addition, the doctor can find out where the pain is coming from by scanning the painful area or using appropriate imaging methods such as an MRI or computer tomography . In the case of nerve pain in the left arm, the doctor wants to rule out a heart attack and will therefore probably have an ECG (electrocardiogram) performed. He can prevent further persistence of the pain and worsening of the symptoms with appropriate medication.
treatment and therapy
Severe nerve pain in the arm often causes those affected to become upset. The persistent pain robs you of your zest for life and should therefore be monitored by a doctor. The symptoms develop into subsequent symptoms such as depression. The doctor can combat this with antidepressants . This is how a disturbed serotonin level gets back on track. Antidepressants also help with pain. Painkillers against the severe pain enable the patient to lead a symptom-free or pain-reduced life again.
But painkillers alone are not enough. After the diagnosis, the doctor decides how to proceed with the treatment. If the pain in the arm is caused by the nerves, anticonvulsants are used. These drugs influence the overreacting nerve cells and normalize the transmission of signals again. This reduces sensitivity to pain. Anti-epileptic drugs also help against unbearable pain. For patients with the most pain, the doctor will prescribe morphine or opioids. They act directly on the central nervous system and also reduce the overreaction of nerve cells.
However, if the nerve pain in the arm is due to tense muscles in the shoulder, neck or arm or a herniated disc in the cervical spine, physiotherapy should be prescribed. With targeted gymnastic exercises, which are also carried out regularly at home, the tension in the respective area is released and the nerve is relieved of the contusion. This also makes the symptoms go away. Muscle relaxants are usually used in this case, which lead to relaxation of the muscles concerned and help to alleviate the symptoms.
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for inflammation and irritation of the nerves . In the case of accompanying symptoms of paralysis, stimulation current is a suitable therapy. There are also alternative healing methods such as acupuncture that can help in this case.
prevention
How can nerve pain in the arm be prevented? The only way to prevent nerve pain caused by tense muscles is to exercise and reduce stress. Regular strengthening of the shoulder and back muscles in the form of targeted gymnastics can avoid hardening of the muscles in this context, so that they do not constrict the nerve.Important: Pay attention to an upright sitting position or posture! Autogenic training or yoga can be used to learn how to deeply relax the body and mind. In order to prevent diabetes or tumours, it is important to ensure a healthy whole-food diet and to maintain a normal weight.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.