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Home » Muscle Pain » Upper Body » Causes of Arm Pain and Numbness

Causes of Arm Pain and Numbness

arm pain and numbnessFrequent causes of most arm pain and numbness are due to injuries or disturbances of blood flow to one’s arm. The types of potential injuries include sprains, fractures, stains, and nerve damage. A change in the flow of blood in the arm might happen if any of the above injuries are sustained, as well as with some medical conditions.

Physical Trauma

Sustaining an injury to the muscles or the supporting ligaments and tendons which link the lower and upper arm bones may cause one to feel pain throughout their entire arm. Having an injury to the neck or shoulder area might also lead to arm pain. If the brachial plexus, a collection of nerves around the armpit, is damaged for instance, it might lead to a numbing pain that is sent throughout the arm and even into one’s hand.

Nerve Pressure

Experiencing pressure on the nerves around the neck area may produce a burning pain which will lead to pain and numbness in one’s arms. Nerve pressure may be the result of misaligned, herniated discs, swelling issues, tumors, and specific infection processes. As well as numbness and pain, additional symptoms of nerve damage or irritation can be felt as a burning sensation like thousands of small needles continuously pricking one’s arm.

Altered Blood Flow

When the blood flow in the arm changes, numbness and arm pain might be experienced. Atherosclerosis, the hardening of one’s arteries, is a condition that causes the diameter of blood vessels to be reduced. This reduction of size of the blood vessels might also occur if the tissues near it become swollen and inflamed, compressing it further. The end result is an overall reduction of blood flow. If an individual suffers from pain in the left arm and chest, they are experiencing a condition known as angina. The pain that it causes, which is similar to a heart attack, occurs via a reduction of blood flow to one’s heart.

Transient Ischemic Attack

Transient ischemic attack, or TIA, which is a medical warning sign and another way in which one might suffer a change in blood flow. The rapid decrease in the amount of blood leading to the brain can result in a one-sided numbness and arm pain. Despite the lingering tingling and throbbing in the arm being temporary, it is still nothing to scoff at, as it is the body’s way of informing the person of a potential stroke.

Additional Causes

Lastly, specific medical conditions might lead to arm pain and numbness in an individual. For instance, diabetes can result in damage to the nerves or neuropathy. Another cause of nerve damage is multiple sclerosis, where the body’s own immune system turns on itself and destroys the nerve’s protective covering. Joint changes caused by rheumatoid arthritis can also result in arm pain if the connection of bones or joints in the arm are being affected. Lupus can result in damaged blood vessels and joints which may result in numbness or pain throughout the body, as well as the arm.

Photo Credit: brendan gibson

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