Arm Pain

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Try one of these related symptoms.

Pain in the arm

Pain in the upper arm

Pain above the wrist

Fell on my hands

Forearm pain

Arm pain after falling on a stretched out hand

Pain in left arm

Left forearm pain

Arm hurts after falling on hands

Pain in the right upper arm

Pain below elbows

I have a pain in my arm

About the Symptom

Arm pain can be a painful sensation in the whole or any part of the arm. The pain may be pressing, sharp or dull in nature.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

Possible Causes

Generally, Arm pain can be related to:

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Arm pain may be related to these serious diseases:

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

Reviewed By:

Kent C Doan, MD

Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)

Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.

Yoshinori Abe, MD

Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Content updated on Jan 30, 2025

Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy

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How Ubie Can Help You

With a free 3-min Arm Pain quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.

This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:

  • Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.

  • Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.

  • History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.

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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

See full list

Find Similar Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

FAQs

Q.

Can sleeping wrong lead to left arm pain?

A.

Yes—sleeping in awkward positions can compress or stretch nerves and limit blood flow, causing left arm pain, numbness, or tingling that often eases after you get moving. There are several factors to consider, including which positions raise your risk, simple fixes to prevent it, and red-flag symptoms (like chest pain or sudden weakness) that require urgent care—see the complete details below.

References:

Greene DA, & Thom PM. (2014). Positional neuropathies of the upper extremity during sleep… Muscle & Nerve, 24898093.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24898093/

Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease. Hepatology, 11157951.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157951/

European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2018). EASL clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Journal of Hepatology, 29706612.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29706612/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Can workouts trigger pain for a female under the right armpit?

A.

Yes—workouts can trigger pain under the right armpit in females, most often from muscle strain (pectoralis/serratus/latissimus), pectoralis minor syndrome, or improper form and overuse. There are several factors to consider: other causes include swollen lymph nodes, breast or skin conditions, intercostal or cervical nerve issues, and thoracic outlet problems, with red flags like a hard lump, fever, numbness, or sudden severe pain needing prompt care. See below for how to tell if it’s workout-related, prevention steps, and guidance on when to see a clinician.

References:

Sanders RJ, & Annest SJ. (2007). Pectoralis minor syndrome: a new view of an old problem. Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, 17261419.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17261419/

Castera L, Forns X, & Alberti A. (2008). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography: a multicenter… Journal of Hepatology, 18093833.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18093833/

Sebastiani G, Alberti A, & Halfon P. (2013). Liver stiffness measurement predicts hepatic decompensation… Journal of Hepatology, 23219992.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23219992/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What causes sudden left arm pain?

A.

Sudden left arm pain can arise from heart problems (heart attack or angina, rarely aortic dissection), but also from muscle/tendon strain or rotator cuff issues, pinched nerves in the neck, and less commonly lung/vascular conditions, reflux, or shingles. Get emergency care if it comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, or pain spreading to the jaw or back; activity-linked, tender, or tingling pain may point to musculoskeletal or nerve causes. There are several factors to consider—see below for important details and next steps that could affect what you do next.

References:

O'Gara PT, et al. (2013). 2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Executive summary… J Am Coll Cardiol, 24561304.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24561304/

Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease… Hepatology, 11157951.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157951/

D'Amico G, & Garcia-Tsao G. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a systematic review of 118 studies… Hepatology, 16890759.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16890759/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What could cause a female to have pain under the right armpit?

A.

In women, pain under the right armpit can stem from muscle strain; swollen lymph nodes or skin infections (including abscesses or shingles); breast issues like mastitis or, less commonly, cancer; nerve problems; referred pain from the gallbladder or liver; or even a vein clot. There are several factors to consider—see below for specifics, urgent warning signs (severe chest pain or breathing trouble, fever with redness, arm swelling/discoloration, rapidly growing lumps with night sweats/weight loss), and next steps including self-care for mild strain versus seeing a clinician if symptoms persist beyond 1–2 weeks or worsen.

References:

Illig KA, & Doyle AJ. (2010). A comprehensive review of thoracic outlet syndrome… J Vasc Surg, 20376119.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20376119/

Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-st… Hepatology, 11157951.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157951/

Foucher J, Chanteloup E, Vergniol J, et al. (2006). Diagnosis of cirrhosis by transient ela… Hepatology, 16530502.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16530502/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What helps relieve left arm pain fast?

A.

Fast relief typically comes from rest and supported positioning, cold for the first 24–48 hours then heat, over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen/naproxen or acetaminophen), topical gels, gentle stretching or self‑massage, a TENS unit, and quick ergonomic adjustments. There are several factors and warning signs that could change your next steps—especially chest pain or shortness of breath, sudden severe pain, numbness/weakness, or fever/redness—so review the complete guidance below to know when to continue self-care versus seek urgent care.

References:

Johnson MI, & Claydon LS. (2014). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute pain management in adults: a systematic… Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 25322753.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25322753/

D'Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, & Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in patients with… J Hepatol, 16129667.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16129667/

Castera L, Forns X, & Alberti A. (2008). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography… J Hepatol, 18571438.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18571438/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

Can workouts trigger pain for a female under the right armpit?

A.

Yes—workouts can trigger pain under the right armpit in females, most often from muscle strain (pectoralis/serratus/latissimus), pectoralis minor syndrome, or improper form and overuse. There are several factors to consider: other causes include swollen lymph nodes, breast or skin conditions, intercostal or cervical nerve issues, and thoracic outlet problems, with red flags like a hard lump, fever, numbness, or sudden severe pain needing prompt care. See below for how to tell if it’s workout-related, prevention steps, and guidance on when to see a clinician.

References:

Sanders RJ, & Annest SJ. (2007). Pectoralis minor syndrome: a new view of an old problem. Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, 17261419.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17261419/

Castera L, Forns X, & Alberti A. (2008). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography: a multicenter… Journal of Hepatology, 18093833.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18093833/

Sebastiani G, Alberti A, & Halfon P. (2013). Liver stiffness measurement predicts hepatic decompensation… Journal of Hepatology, 23219992.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23219992/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What could cause a female to have pain under the right armpit?

A.

In women, pain under the right armpit can stem from muscle strain; swollen lymph nodes or skin infections (including abscesses or shingles); breast issues like mastitis or, less commonly, cancer; nerve problems; referred pain from the gallbladder or liver; or even a vein clot. There are several factors to consider—see below for specifics, urgent warning signs (severe chest pain or breathing trouble, fever with redness, arm swelling/discoloration, rapidly growing lumps with night sweats/weight loss), and next steps including self-care for mild strain versus seeing a clinician if symptoms persist beyond 1–2 weeks or worsen.

References:

Illig KA, & Doyle AJ. (2010). A comprehensive review of thoracic outlet syndrome… J Vasc Surg, 20376119.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20376119/

Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-st… Hepatology, 11157951.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157951/

Foucher J, Chanteloup E, Vergniol J, et al. (2006). Diagnosis of cirrhosis by transient ela… Hepatology, 16530502.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16530502/

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What could be the possible causes when your arm feels weak and painful?

A.

Weakness and pain in the arm can result from various causes, ranging from musculoskeletal issues to neurological conditions. Understanding these potential causes is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

Moradi A, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Ring D. Nonspecific arm pain. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2013 Dec;1(2):53-8. Epub 2013 Dec 15. PMID: 25207288; PMCID: PMC4151410.

Chabok HA, Ring D. Arm ache. Hand (N Y). 2014 Jun;9(2):151-5. doi: 10.1007/s11552-014-9604-3. PMID: 24839415; PMCID: PMC4022964.

Palmer KT, Reading I, Linaker C, Calnan M, Coggon D. Population-based cohort study of incident and persistent arm pain: role of mental health, self-rated health and health beliefs. Pain. 2008 May;136(1-2):30-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.06.011. Epub 2007 Aug 8. PMID: 17689865; PMCID: PMC3284249.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What are the causes of the pain in inner forearm?

A.

Pain in the inner forearm can be caused by various factors, including musculoskeletal injuries, repetitive strain, nerve compression, and underlying medical conditions. Identifying the specific cause is essential for effective treatment and management.

References:

Palmer KT. Regional musculoskeletal conditions: pain in the forearm, wrist and hand. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Feb;17(1):113-35. doi: 10.1016/s1521-6942(02)00100-6. PMID: 12659824.

MacIver H, Smyth G, Bird HA. Occupational disorders: non-specific forearm pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Apr;21(2):349-65. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2006.11.002. PMID: 17512487.

Ponnappan RK, Khan M, Matzon JL, Sheikh ES, Tucker BS, Pepe MD, Tjoumakaris FP, Nassr AN. Clinical Differentiation of Upper Extremity Pain Etiologies. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015 Aug;23(8):492-500. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-11-00086. Epub 2015 Jun 26. PMID: 26116851.

See more on Doctor's Note

Q.

What causes pain in the arm muscles? Any remedies?

A.

Muscle soreness in the arms is most often due to strenuous exertion, overuse or injuries. Effective treatments include rest, massage, icing, graded return to activity and the use of anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

References:

Moradi A, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Ring D. Nonspecific arm pain. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2013 Dec;1(2):53-8. Epub 2013 Dec 15. PMID: 25207288; PMCID: PMC4151410.

Krapac L. Najcesći sindromi prenaprezanja na gornjim ekstremitetima pri odredenim radnim djelatnostima [The most common overuse injury syndromes of the upper extremity associated with work activity]. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2001 Dec;52(4):415-20. Croatian. PMID: 11831124.

Renström P, Johnson RJ. Overuse injuries in sports. A review. Sports Med. 1985 Sep-Oct;2(5):316-33. doi: 10.2165/00007256-198502050-00002. PMID: 3901173.

See more on Doctor's Note

Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide

Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.

Maxwell J. Nanes, DO

Maxwell J. Nanes, DO

Emergency Medicine

Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Waukesha Wisconsin, USA

Caroline M. Doan, DO

Caroline M. Doan, DO

Internal Medicine

Signify Health

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Neurology, Clinical Informatics

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Charles Carlson, DO, MS

Charles Carlson, DO, MS

Psychiatry

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Dale Mueller, MD

Dale Mueller, MD

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates

Ravi P. Chokshi, MD

Ravi P. Chokshi, MD

Obstetrics and gynecology

Penn State Health

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References