You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- Holistic Healing
- Pain Management
- right arm aching
Pain Management/right arm aching
Advertisement
Question
My right arm begins to really ache whenever I am using it in a raised position, such as using the hair dryer, or doing something that requires me to raise my arms above my head. The left arm particularly gets weak and aches. I have no numbness or tingling. It subsides within a minute after I bring my arms down. It's a rather debilitating ache (meaning I have to stop what I'm doing)and makes the arm weak. I am 73 years of age and otherwise in pretty good physical health. I have no trouble lifting something up and carrying heavy loads. I do sleep on my sides mostly and not on my back.
Thanks for any clues. LB
Lola,
The aching sounds like muscle fatigue -- either from muscular tensions from below the shoulder that interfere with lifting or from decreased circulation, or both.
A practical action you can take is to do a short-term program to improve flexibility.
I recommend a program that eliminates residual muscular tensions and improves movement: The Cat Stretch (Overcoming the Myth of Aging) at http://www.somatics.com/page7.htm It's a program I recorded, developed by Thomas Hanna, Ph.D.
By the way, it's not a case of "use it or lose it"; it's a case of overactivity in inadvertent actions that interfere with what we mean to do.
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you Dr. Gold for your attention to my question. I will look into the web site you recommended to follow up. It's amazing how "we loose it if we don't use it" becomes more relevant with age. Sincerely, LJB | ||
Related Articles
- Finish Position - Openers Lower Back Stretch
- Fifth Position of the Arms - Fifth Position of the Arms in Ballet
- Sample Arm-Specific Exercises - Pregnancy Fitness
- Basement Ping-Pong Basic Strokes - The Forehand Counterhit - Step 6
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) - How to Reduce Tension with Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
Lawrence Gold
Expertise
back pain exercises -|- back muscle pain -|- back muscle spasms -|- degenerative disc disease -|- disc bulge -|- dizziness -|- groin pain -|- groin pull -|- lifting injuries -|- lower back pain -|- lower back exercises -|- sciatica -|- whiplash injuries -|- Hanna Somatics -|- headaches -|- iliopsoas bursitis -|- iliopsoas muscle -|- iliopsoas syndrome -|- iliopsoas stretch -|- movement limitations -|- psoas stretch -|- psoas muscle pain -|- psoas stretch -|- psoas major -|- psoas muscle -|- somatics -|- somatic exercises -|- somatic education -|-
Experience
In practice since 1990. Two years on staff at a hospital Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.
Publications
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, American Journal of Pain Management, Somatics: Magazine-Journal of the Mind-Body Arts and Sciences. More complete listing at somatics.com/gold.htm
Education/Credentials
Certifications: Hanna Somatic Education, the Dr. Ida P. Rolf method of Structural Integration (partial list)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.