Why Does My Arm Hurt? 10 Possible Causes of Arm Pain

You reach for your coffee, and suddenly your arm feels like it got replaced with someone else’s – someone who clearly skipped the stretching routine.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does my arm hurt?” you’re definitely not alone. Arm pain is common, and the causes range from “annoying but harmless”
to “drop everything and call 911” serious. Understanding the possible causes of arm pain can help you decide what to do next – whether that’s rest,
ice, or a ride to the emergency room.

Below, we’ll walk through 10 of the most common causes of arm pain, what they usually feel like, and when to get medical help. This article is for
general education only and isn’t a substitute for a real-life healthcare provider who can examine you, order tests, and give personalized advice.

When Arm Pain Is an Emergency

Before we get into the list, there’s an important safety note: some arm pain is a red-flag symptom of a heart problem. Medical groups emphasize that
pain in one or both arms, especially the left, can be a sign of a heart attack or reduced blood flow to the heart, particularly when it happens with
other symptoms like:
– Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, or pain)
– Shortness of breath
– Nausea or vomiting
– Lightheadedness, breaking out in a cold sweat
– Pain in the jaw, neck, or back along with arm pain

If you have arm pain with any of these symptoms, or if the pain is sudden, severe, or feels “different from anything you’ve had before,” call
emergency services right away instead of waiting to see if it goes away.

1. Muscle Strain or Overuse

One of the most common causes of arm pain is also one of the simplest: you overdid it. Maybe you carried five too many grocery bags, tried a new
workout, or spent all weekend painting a room. Muscles and tendons in your shoulders, upper arms, and forearms can become irritated from repeated
motion or lifting more than they’re used to.

What it feels like

Strain or overuse pain is often:
– Achy or sore rather than sharp
– Worse when you use the arm or specific muscles
– Better with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers (if safe for you)

You might also notice mild swelling or stiffness, especially the day after you did the activity that triggered it. These injuries typically improve
over several days to a couple of weeks with rest and gradual return to activity.

2. Tendinitis and Shoulder Impingement

Tendons connect muscles to bones. When they get irritated or inflamed, you can develop tendinitis. Around the shoulder, this often affects the
rotator cuff or the biceps tendon. Because nerves and soft tissues in the shoulder are tightly packed, swelling can lead to “impingement” – where
tissues get pinched when you raise your arm.

What it feels like

– Pain around the front or side of the shoulder that may radiate down the upper arm
– Pain or weakness when lifting the arm overhead or reaching behind your back
– Discomfort lying on the painful side at night

If ignored, tendinitis and impingement can progress and in some cases contribute to partial or full tendon tears. That’s why persistent shoulder or
upper-arm pain that lasts more than a few weeks deserves a medical evaluation.

3. Bursitis (Inflamed Cushioning Sacs)

Bursae are tiny, fluid-filled sacs that act like cushions between bones, tendons, and muscles. In the shoulder or elbow, a bursa can become inflamed
(bursitis), often from repeated motion, prolonged pressure, or sometimes after an injury or infection.

What it feels like

– Localized tenderness around a joint (shoulder, elbow)
– Swelling and warmth over the area
– Pain when you move the joint or press on the spot

Mild bursitis sometimes improves with rest, ice, and activity changes. Sudden, hot, very painful swelling in a joint area, however, may signal an
infection and needs urgent medical care.

4. Nerve Compression: Pinched Nerve in the Neck or Arm

Nerves travel from your neck down through your shoulder, arm, and hand. If a nerve gets compressed by a herniated disk in the neck, tight muscle,
bone spur, or thickened ligament, you may develop a “pinched nerve” (radiculopathy or peripheral nerve compression).

What it feels like

– Sharp, burning, or electric-like pain shooting down the arm
– Numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” in the arm or hand
– Weakness in certain muscles, trouble gripping or lifting objects

A pinched nerve in the neck may also come with neck pain or stiffness. Nerve compression at the elbow (like cubital tunnel syndrome) or wrist
(carpal tunnel syndrome) tends to cause tingling and numbness in specific fingers depending on which nerve is affected.

5. Carpal Tunnel and Other Nerve Entrapment Syndromes

Not all arm pain starts at the shoulder. When the median nerve is squeezed at the wrist, it causes carpal tunnel syndrome. When the ulnar nerve is
compressed at the elbow, it can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome. These “entrapped” nerves can cause pain that’s felt in the hand, wrist, and along
the forearm.

What it feels like

– Numbness, tingling, or burning in the thumb, index, and middle fingers (carpal tunnel)
– Tingling or pain in the ring and pinky fingers (cubital tunnel)
– Pain that can shoot up the forearm, especially at night or when you bend the wrist or elbow

Early on, changing posture, using splints, and adjusting activities may help. Persistent symptoms, hand weakness, or clumsiness (like dropping
objects frequently) call for a medical evaluation.

6. Arthritis in the Shoulder, Elbow, or Wrist

Arthritis isn’t just about knees and hips. Wear-and-tear osteoarthritis can affect the shoulder, elbow, or small joints of the hand and wrist.
Inflammatory forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, often cause pain in multiple joints and may affect both arms.

What it feels like

– Aching, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the joint
– Pain that’s worse after heavy use or first thing in the morning
– Swelling, warmth, or tenderness over the joint

People with inflammatory arthritis may also notice fatigue, general malaise, or similar symptoms in other joints. Because arthritis is a long-term
condition with many treatment options, getting an accurate diagnosis is key.

7. Fractures, Sprains, and Other Injuries

Sometimes the reason for your arm pain is crystal clear: you slipped on the stairs, were in a car accident, or took a bad fall playing sports.
Fractures (broken bones), dislocations, and sprains can involve the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand.

What it feels like

– Sudden, severe pain after an injury
– Swelling, bruising, or deformity
– Inability to move the arm normally or bear weight
– A popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury

Any significant trauma, obvious deformity, or inability to move the arm normally needs prompt medical care. In children, even minor-looking injuries
can hide serious problems, so it’s extra important to get them checked.

8. Referred Pain from the Neck or Shoulder

Our bodies are great at confusing us. Pain in the arm isn’t always coming from the arm itself. Problems in the neck (like disk issues or arthritis)
or in the shoulder joint can cause discomfort that’s felt along the arm. In some cases, pain from the gallbladder, diaphragm, or even the heart
can show up in the shoulder or upper arm.

What it feels like

– Ache or deep pain in the arm without a clear local injury
– Pain that changes when you move your neck or shoulder rather than your elbow or wrist
– Pain accompanied by other regional symptoms (neck stiffness, shoulder catching, chest discomfort)

Because referred pain can come from serious conditions, especially when linked with chest, breathing, or abdominal symptoms, it’s important not to
ignore it.

9. Heart Attack or Angina

We mentioned this up top, but it deserves its own spotlight. A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. Angina
is chest discomfort caused by reduced blood flow without full blockage. Both can cause pain that radiates into one or both arms, often the left.

What it feels like

– Pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest that may spread to the arm, neck, jaw, or back
– Arm pain that comes on with exertion (walking, climbing stairs) and eases with rest (classic angina pattern)
– Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, or feeling faint

Not everyone has “classic” symptoms. Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have more subtle signs. When in doubt, it’s safer to seek
emergency help than to wait and see.

10. Blood Clots and Other Less Common Causes

Less commonly, arm pain can come from a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in the arm, infections in the skin or soft tissues (like cellulitis), or
rare conditions affecting blood vessels or nerves. These problems usually come with other clues, such as:

– Significant swelling in one arm compared with the other
– Redness, warmth, or streaks on the skin
– Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
– Sudden weakness, severe numbness, or inability to move part of the arm

Any of these signs deserve same-day medical attention, especially if symptoms appear quickly or worsen over hours.

How Doctors Figure Out Why Your Arm Hurts

When you see a healthcare professional for arm pain, they become an arm detective. They’ll ask detailed questions about:

• Where exactly the pain is (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, or whole arm)
• When it started and what you were doing at the time
• What makes it better or worse (rest, movement, certain positions)
• Any other symptoms, like numbness, chest pain, fever, or weakness

Then they’ll examine your arm, neck, and sometimes your heart and lungs. Depending on what they suspect, they might order:

• X-rays to look at bones and joints
• Ultrasound or MRI to view soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and bursae
• Blood tests if arthritis, infection, or heart disease is a concern
• Heart tests (like an ECG) if your symptoms suggest a cardiac issue

The goal is to identify the underlying cause so your treatment plan does more than just mask the pain.

Simple Home Care Tips for Mild Arm Pain

For mild arm pain that clearly started after a known activity (like a workout, yardwork, or a marathon texting session) and isn’t associated with
red-flag symptoms, these general strategies can help:

• Rest: Give the arm a break from the activity that triggered the pain.
• Ice or heat: Ice can help with recent irritation; gentle heat may ease stiffness later on.
• Over-the-counter pain relief: Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help if they’re safe for you. Always follow label directions and your doctor’s guidance.
• Gentle stretching: Once the sharpness settles, light stretching and range-of-motion exercises can maintain mobility.
• Ergonomic tweaks: Adjust your desk setup, sleeping position, or posture to reduce strain on your arm and shoulder.

Always stop any activity that makes the pain sharply worse, and check in with a healthcare provider if symptoms linger, frequently recur, or interfere
with daily life.

Real-Life Experiences: Living with Arm Pain

Understanding the causes is helpful, but arm pain is ultimately a very personal, lived experience. Here are a few common scenarios that illustrate what
people often go through and what they learn along the way.

The Weekend Warrior Shoulder

Imagine someone who spends most weekdays at a desk and then decides to take on a “simple” weekend project: moving furniture, hanging shelves, and
repainting a room. During the work, everything feels fine. The next morning, they reach up to grab a mug and feel a sharp ache in the side of the
shoulder that radiates down the upper arm. Sleeping on that side becomes uncomfortable, and overhead reaching is suddenly a big production.

This kind of story often lines up with overuse of the rotator cuff tendons. The person may discover that rest, ice, and gentle stretching help, but a
key lesson is pacing: breaking big tasks into smaller chunks, using a stepstool instead of constantly reaching overhead, and taking breaks every 20–30
minutes. Many people find that learning a few simple shoulder stability exercises from a physical therapist helps them avoid similar flare-ups in the
future.

The “Sleeping Arm” That Isn’t Just from Sleeping Funny

Another common story involves someone waking up repeatedly at night with tingling and numbness in the hand and forearm. At first, they blame their
pillow or sleeping posture. Eventually, they notice that typing or driving with the wrists bent also triggers the symptoms. Shaking the hand out helps,
but the episodes keep coming.

This often reflects nerve compression – frequently carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist or cubital tunnel syndrome at the elbow. People in this
situation may share that wearing a wrist splint at night, setting up an ergonomic workspace, and taking “microbreaks” during computer work significantly
reduce symptoms. Some also learn that ignoring persistent tingling and weakness can lead to more permanent nerve trouble, which is why timely evaluation
matters.

The Surprising Heart Connection

One of the more sobering experiences people report is assuming arm pain is “just a pulled muscle” when it’s actually a heart problem. Someone might feel
a heaviness in the left arm after walking up a hill, along with being unusually short of breath. They rest, and the symptoms fade. A few days later, it
happens againsame arm discomfort, same breathlessness, maybe a slight pressure in the chest this time.

Stories like this highlight why health organizations emphasize not brushing off exertional arm pain, especially if you have risk factors such as high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, or a strong family history of heart disease. People who seek care early often say they’re glad they
“overreacted,” because it gave them the chance to treat heart disease before a major event occurred.

The Long Game of Chronic Arm Pain

For others, arm pain is not a dramatic event but a long, nagging presence. Think of someone with arthritis in the shoulder or elbow. They might not have
an obvious injury, but everyday tasks – lifting laundry baskets, reaching into cabinets, or even putting on a jacket – slowly become more painful.

Many people in this situation find relief by combining several strategies: staying active but within limits, doing targeted strengthening exercises,
using heat for stiffness, and taking prescribed medications when needed. Just as important, they learn to listen to their bodies. Instead of pushing
through every task at full speed, they pace themselves and ask for help with heavier jobs. Over time, they build a new routine that protects their joints
while still keeping them moving.

Bottom Line: Don’t Ignore Persistent or Concerning Arm Pain

Arm pain can come from overworked muscles, irritated tendons, pinched nerves, arthritic joints, injuries, blood clots, or even your heart. Some causes
are relatively minor and respond well to rest, activity changes, and simple home measures. Others are serious and need fast medical attention.

If your arm pain is severe, sudden, linked to chest discomfort or trouble breathing, or just feels “off” in a way you can’t ignore, treat it as urgent
and get emergency care. If it’s mild but persistent, interfering with sleep or daily activities, or associated with numbness, weakness, or swelling,
schedule a visit with a healthcare professional.

Your arms do a lot for youfrom hugging your favorite people to lifting your morning coffeeso giving them proper attention and care is more than
worth it.