How do you get rid of arm pain?

While arm pain can stem from several causes, such as overuse from sports or work, injuries, or underlying health conditions, there are several strategies you can implement at home to ease your pain and discomfort, especially after confirming with the best orthopedic doctor in Kolkata that there is no major injury or disease present. The best approach depends on the type and severity of your pain, so it's important to understand what may be causing it before settling on a treatment method.

Establish the Cause of Your Arm Pain

• Pinched nerve: A compressed nerve in your neck or back can radiate pain into your arm. Happens due to injury, disc herniations, or bone spurs. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the arm.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation in the tendons due to repetitive strain on the arm from various activities. Feels like dull, aching pain around the joints.
• Arthritis: Degeneration in the bones and cartilage results in pain and reduced mobility in joints. Often affects the shoulders and elbows of the arms.
• Fracture: A broken bone in the arm or wrist will lead to pain while using or moving the arm. Usually happens due to injury and falls.

Get Enough Rest

• Give your arm ample rest between periods of activity or exercise to avoid further irritation and damage. Rest allows swelling to go down and tissue to regenerate.
• Use a sling or wrap to immobilize your arm if there is a lot of pain while moving it around. Don't use the injured arm at all for everyday tasks temporarily.

Apply Cold/Heat Therapy

• Use ice packs wrapped in a cloth on the painful area for 15-20 minutes to reduce inflammation. Best for sudden onset of pain after strenuous exercise or trauma. Don't apply ice directly on the skin.
• Heat packs and warm compresses can also help relax muscles and increase blood flow to injured tissues. Best for chronic or nagging pain symptoms.

Keep Your Arm Elevated

• Keep your arm raised above the level of your heart whenever you are sitting or lying down. Use multiple firm pillows to prop your arm up.
• Elevating your arm allows gravity to work to drain swelling in the arm by improving circulation and lymphatic drainage, easing discomfort. Do this as much as possible.

Consider Taking NSAIDs

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen can relieve pain due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Check with your doctor about side effects and dosage instructions.
• These medications can help with the overall inflammation and irritation in injured soft tissues or arthritic joints.

Try Physical Therapy Techniques

A trained physical therapist can provide treatments like:

• Exercises to improve mobility and strengthen arm muscles.
• Ultrasound therapy to drive medication deeper into tissues.
• Manual therapy like massage and traction to loosen tissues.

Explore Acupuncture

• Fine sterile needles are inserted in specific pressure points of the body to block pain signals and encourage healing. Can provide substantial relief for arm pain.

Make Lifestyle Changes

• Maintain good posture while sitting and avoid slouching forward to prevent neck, shoulder, and arm strain.
• Wear wrist splints if you have frequent wrist pain and avoid repetitive gripping, and squeezing motions.
• Adjust your work setup ergonomically to reduce discomfort in your arm - monitor at eye level, supportive chair, and padded keyboard rests.

Know When to See a Doctor

Consult your physician promptly if you experience the following symptoms along with persistent arm pain:

• Numbness in the arm, fingers dropping items
• Severe muscle weakness in the arm
• Pain that worsens at night or with rest
• Skin color changes in the arm

Getting to the root cause of arm pain requires a proper diagnosis. Relying solely on self-treatment for too long can worsen issues and complicate recovery. An orthopedic surgeon at Miot Hospital Chennai can determine if you have any serious injury, nerve issues, or ligament tears requiring surgery through scans and testing.