Expert: Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac. - 8/14/2009

Question
Hello Dr.
Thanks in advance for you answer.  I've been pain in my right arm, at the beginning it was on the shoulder, it was like two months ago, but now my pain is in the upper arm and when I start cleaning or using it goes all the over the arm including the hand and feels weak, tired and swollen (the hand#, it hurts even when I move it when I'm taking a shower #when I lift it to wash my neck#, and last night the pain wake me up, and felt in any position I tried to make it comfortable, it was better after I drank three ibuprofen #I'm using it to calm the pain since the beginning), I don't know the reason because I don't remember any accident that caused it.
Thank you and God bless you.
Catty S.

Answer
Hi Mary,

Hmmm...since there was no significant trauma involved, I would expected that the pain would have been due to your repetitive motion.  Do you recall using your arm waving over your head often for continuos time?  Or did you reach out toward something sudden or over a period of time?  These movements can cause injury to the surrounding muscles at the shoulder.  If there is swelling present, it can cause pressure against the nerve travelling down to the arm causing arm pain in the process.

My suggestion is to visit a chiropractic or acupuncture office to have a complete check up to find out the problem.