Running pain...in my arms.
rsclause
Posts: 3,103 Member
Finally got a morning run in and it was very revealing. I have been having a lot of pain in my upper forearms. It is accompanied by weakness to the point that it is difficult and painful lift my 40 oz. water bottle. I was scared that it was the start of some horrible disease. It is in both arms but not in my legs at all. This morning when I put my running jacket on which is usually a little painful but it didn't bother me at all. That when it hit me, due to a head cold and a ski trip I haven't run in roughly two or three weeks. I haven't thought about my arms because they stopped hurting this week. I ran six miles this morning and the pain returned. I have been running for years now and this just started about three months ago. My posture is arms bent with forearms parallel to the ground, thumbs up fingers out as if I am holding a coin between each knuckle. If I lower my arm I feel pain in the upper forearm. Any ideas?
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When I had a small slipped disc irritating a nerve in my neck, I had referred pain in my arms. Mine was upper arms, and tingling running down to my ring fingers in both arms. The pain felt like someone tightening a clamp around my arms and I honestly thought they would break. The fact that you have pain in both arms makes me wonder if it is something similar, or relating to posture/tension in the neck. Having said that – you mention skiing recently – anything to do with how tightly you held ski poles and excess use of the muscles there?0
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if stopping running stopped the pain I'd see a doctor or physio1
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girlinahat wrote: »When I had a small slipped disc irritating a nerve in my neck, I had referred pain in my arms. Mine was upper arms, and tingling running down to my ring fingers in both arms. The pain felt like someone tightening a clamp around my arms and I honestly thought they would break. The fact that you have pain in both arms makes me wonder if it is something similar, or relating to posture/tension in the neck. Having said that – you mention skiing recently – anything to do with how tightly you held ski poles and excess use of the muscles there?
I was curious what effect skiing would have on it. It was painful to lift & carry the skis but the poles didn't seem to aggravate it which was a surprise. It was lots of hard skiing with lots of powder, all blacks and double black trails. So I didn't see any added pain from gripping poles.0 -
do you move your arms much when you run?
I have a bad habbit of just tucking my elbows in and not moving my arms as much as I should and I often have to shake my arms out every few minutes because they get stiff from the strain of holding them in a static position rather than allowing them to move the way they naturally should while running.0 -
It's likely coming from your neck. Are you craning your neck forward? That can cause thoracic outlet syndrome which will send nerve pains down your arm.1
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lsutton484 wrote: »do you move your arms much when you run?
I have a bad habbit of just tucking my elbows in and not moving my arms as much as I should and I often have to shake my arms out every few minutes because they get stiff from the strain of holding them in a static position rather than allowing them to move the way they naturally should while running.
I keep my arms somewhat static moving mostly front to back but not side to side.0 -
doesthisappmakemelookfat wrote: »It's likely coming from your neck. Are you craning your neck forward? That can cause thoracic outlet syndrome which will send nerve pains down your arm.
Neck is what is worrying me because its both arms. I don't think I am craning but who knows. I do run with a very light impact to limit stress and use Hoka One One Constant 2 shoes that have 315 miles on them.0 -
You won't know for sure what it is unless you go to a dr. Go to a dr. It's definitely unusual, especially in both arms.1
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I sometimes get a heavy feeling in my arms (which I hold almost exactly like you) and I have to shake them out. I think the aggressive angle of the bend limits circulation and what I'm feeling is the precursers to numbness possibly? This leads to my arms feeling tired but I don't have DOMS or any lingering effects from it. I would def seek medical attention to make sure there isn't anything more serious occurring.
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doesthisappmakemelookfat wrote: »It's likely coming from your neck. Are you craning your neck forward? That can cause thoracic outlet syndrome which will send nerve pains down your arm.
I thought about TOS too because I deal with that frequently. Are you holding your arms rigid or tensing your shoulders? I usually have my arms at less than 90 degree angle, I make sure not to hold my elbows to close to my body, and I keep my hands relaxed (like I'm gently holding an egg in each hand). I'll shake them out periodically if I notice I'm tensing up. Maybe try getting some deep tissue work done on your shoulders, triceps, arms, neck, and chest to loosen up the muscles? That usually helps me when I have arm pain issues.0 -
Now that I know it is running related I will pay close attention to form and posture and will also try some stretching movements. I am not a very good go to the doctor person. I am 56 and when asked the last time I went to the doctor I had to reply for a High School physical. I will get some new shoes and more observations before I make a trip to the doctor. I am still perplexed that when I was running 30 miles a week I had no trouble but at 15 to 20 miles a week I have this pain. Thanks for all the help and ideas. I am just thankful I have at least a catalyst or cause to focus on instead of thinking I am in the early stages of something else. I will also try to add some strength training (Nautilus machines) to see if that helps. Hoping to run again in the morning, I love it.0
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BeeerRunner wrote: »You won't know for sure what it is unless you go to a dr. Go to a dr. It's definitely unusual, especially in both arms.
My wife is very into diagnosing illness and hasn't been too concerned. She is actually extremely good at putting symptoms together to arrive at a illness. A friend of ours brother had a bizarre set of symptoms that had all the doctors stumped. She said it sounds like mad cow disease, later on sadly it was confirmed.
I like your BeeeRunner name. I often say "I run to drink my beer & wine"1 -
BeeerRunner wrote: »You won't know for sure what it is unless you go to a dr. Go to a dr. It's definitely unusual, especially in both arms.
My wife is very into diagnosing illness and hasn't been too concerned. She is actually extremely good at putting symptoms together to arrive at a illness. A friend of ours brother had a bizarre set of symptoms that had all the doctors stumped. She said it sounds like mad cow disease, later on sadly it was confirmed.
I like your BeeeRunner name. I often say "I run to drink my beer & wine"
Who needs a doctor when you've got your wife... :laugh: what has she diagnosed it as??1 -
She thinks it is a nerve impairment. I am not so sure because the pain "feels" muscular. Tomorrow when I run I am going to move my arm around like I have a disorder.0
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TavistockToad wrote: »
This. If it continues, it's time to suck it up and go to a sports doctor. Rather than *kitten* around and potentially doing lifetime damage, get it fixed now. I never understood the "I'm not a doctor person." I'd rather give myself a fighting chance with a professional than prolong treatment and be out an activity I enjoy.
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vespiquenn wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »
This. If it continues, it's time to suck it up and go to a sports doctor. Rather than *kitten* around and potentially doing lifetime damage, get it fixed now. I never understood the "I'm not a doctor person." I'd rather give myself a fighting chance with a professional than prolong treatment and be out an activity I enjoy.
Wife can't fix but just knows what symptoms are caused by many health issues, good but not foolproof. I posted here to see if anybody else has ever had this happen.
Not a doctor phobia but I do dislike the habit of resorting to drugs first before a lifestyle change. First its a perscription followed by a side effect and another prescription. I do agree when it is serious I am not going to BS around and hope it gets better without going to the doctor.0 -
I used to suffer from this and mentioned it to a physio friend who advised that upper arm pain when running can be connected to your breathing and diaphragm. Unfortunately she did not elaborate or suggest a solution, but perhaps it is worth investigating further.0
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M
My father never went to a doctor, he died at 59 years of age. Go to a doctor.Now that I know it is running related I will pay close attention to form and posture and will also try some stretching movements. I am not a very good go to the doctor person. I am 56 and when asked the last time I went to the doctor I had to reply for a High School physical. I will get some new shoes and more observations before I make a trip to the doctor. I am still perplexed that when I was running 30 miles a week I had no trouble but at 15 to 20 miles a week I have this pain. Thanks for all the help and ideas. I am just thankful I have at least a catalyst or cause to focus on instead of thinking I am in the early stages of something else. I will also try to add some strength training (Nautilus machines) to see if that helps. Hoping to run again in the morning, I love it.
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vespiquenn wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »
This. If it continues, it's time to suck it up and go to a sports doctor. Rather than *kitten* around and potentially doing lifetime damage, get it fixed now. I never understood the "I'm not a doctor person." I'd rather give myself a fighting chance with a professional than prolong treatment and be out an activity I enjoy.
Wife can't fix but just knows what symptoms are caused by many health issues, good but not foolproof. I posted here to see if anybody else has ever had this happen.
Not a doctor phobia but I do dislike the habit of resorting to drugs first before a lifestyle change. First its a perscription followed by a side effect and another prescription. I do agree when it is serious I am not going to BS around and hope it gets better without going to the doctor.
It's been nearly 4 weeks, so.....?1 -
It sounds silly but I have to run like a T-Rex (with my palms facing down slightly bent). I find that is the most comfortable and forces my arms to move.1
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Go see a PT. It's likely either coming from the neck and you could use some postural correction or you may just be very weak in your elbow flexors and experiencing fatigue from being so weak.0
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I second the idea to go to a physio. If you get a good one, they will be able to work with you to identify and resolve the issue or to refer you on if it seems more complex.
Don't be put off getting medical input just because you don't want a prescription, there are all kinds of treatments and strategies for injuries that don't involve medication.0 -
I have a lot of "not doctor people" in my family or friends of the family or married into the family. (My parents are pretty granola.)
Several have died because they were too stubborn to go to the doctor. Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney cancer, a tumor.
Doctors use their knowledge to diagnose.
You don't have to take pills if you don't want to, but you should at least make an informed choice with knowledge given from an experienced, well educated professional.
Just go.0 -
SierraFatToSkinny wrote: »I have a lot of "not doctor people" in my family or friends of the family or married into the family. (My parents are pretty granola.)
Several have died because they were too stubborn to go to the doctor. Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney cancer, a tumor.
Doctors use their knowledge to diagnose.
You don't have to take pills if you don't want to, but you should at least make an informed choice with knowledge given from an experienced, well educated professional.
Just go.
I am all about going for the serious stuff. I go to a dermatologist yearly because of sibling melanoma and will have a colonoscopy done this year.1 -
¨Although in many heart attacks, pain can begin in the chest and spread to other areas, even when there's no chest pain as an initial symptom, heart attack signs may include pain or discomfort in the left, right or both arms or in the shoulders, elbows, back, neck, throat, lower jaw or stomach.¨0
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Okay I did a six mile run this morning and focused on keeping my arm low and moving them around a bit. It seems to help but I am not sure if the little bit of soreness is leftover from a previous run or new. More research will tell for sure. I also noticed that the primary reason for me bending my arms at a 90 degree angle is to keep my cell phone armband from sliding down my arm.0
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