What could cause pain in the armpit muscle?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Armpit muscle pain is most often caused by muscle strain, overuse, or inflammation from activities like heavy lifting, repetitive arm movements, or new workouts. In some cases, swollen lymph nodes, pinched nerves, or referred pain from the shoulder or chest can also be responsible. Identifying the exact cause matters, because treatment varies widely—from simple rest and stretching to medical evaluation for infections or nerve issues.

Because armpit pain can stem from many different sources, guessing isn't always safe or effective. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly narrow down possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you on whether home care is enough or if you should see a doctor. It's a smart, private first step toward clarity and peace of mind.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what causes armpit muscle pain Find if armpit pain needs care See likely reasons for your armpit pain Discover OTC relief for armpit muscle pain Find a doctor for armpit pain Understand home remedies for armpit muscle pain Check if armpit pain could be serious

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Your armpit muscle pain might be caused by a few things. One common reason is muscle strain. This can happen when you use your arm a lot or if you have an injury while exercising. The muscle gets tired or tiny tears happen, causing pain. Sometimes, pain can also come along with swollen lymph nodes, which means your immune system is fighting off an infection. This type of pain, known as myalgia with lymphadenopathy, can make the area sore. There are also rare cases where pain in the armpit may be connected to nerve irritation. One study showed that persistent arm pain after surgery or injury could come from nerve issues in the area. In other words, the pain might not just be from the muscle itself but from nearby tissues like lymph nodes or nerves. If the pain continues or gets worse or persists for more than a few weeks, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should see a doctor to get the right care and feel better sooner.

(References)

Haq I, Moss K, Morris VH. Myalgia with lymphadenopathy. J R Soc Med. 2001 Oct;94(10):521-2. doi: 10.1177/014107680109401008. PMID: 11581347; PMCID: PMC1282207.
Langford DJ, Paul SM, West C, Abrams G, Elboim C, Levine JD, Hamolsky D, Luce JA, Kober KM, Neuhaus JM, Cooper BA, Aouizerat BE, Miaskowski C. Persistent arm pain is distinct from persistent breast pain following breast cancer surgery. J Pain. 2014 Dec;15(12):1238-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.08.013. PMID: 25439319; PMCID: PMC4254679.
Mikolajczyk AE, Zhang L, Zaman A. Atypical cause of axillary pain. Am J Med. 2016;129(2):e29-e30. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.09.039

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.