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What is referred pain in the upper arm?
Referred pain is a term used to describe a sensation of pain that is felt in a location other than the site of an injury. Referred pain in the upper arm is when pain is felt in the upper arm but the cause of the pain is located elsewhere. Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for referred pain in the upper arm.
What can cause referred pain in the upper arm?
Referred pain in the upper arm can arise from numerous structures in the neck and shoulder.
Above: Therapist supervised active stretches of the upper arm and shouldersWhat are the symptoms of referred pain in the upper arm?
There are different symptoms associated with referred pain in the upper arm. Potential symptoms may include:
- pain
- reduced range of movement
- swelling/inflamation
- stiffness
- weakness
- numbness
- spasm
- tingling / pins and needles
What should I do if I have referred pain in my upper arm?
If you suspect that you have referred pain in your upper arm then you should arrange an assessment with a physiotherapist as soon as possible.
What shouldn’t I do if I have referred pain in my upper arm?
If you suspect that you have referred pain in your upper arm then you should not ignore the pain in the hope that it will go away. Your pain could get worse without the correct treatment.
Above: Soft tissue massage of biceps brachi applied by therapistPhysiotherapy for referred pain in the upper arm.
Physiotherapy is very important in the treatment of referred pain in the upper arm. Initially, your physiotherapist can determine the exact cause of your pain, the tissue/s damaged and the extent of this damage. From this they can estimate how long the injury should take to heal and develop a specific treatment programme. The latter often involves activity, work or training modification, electrotherapies, the use of manual techniques such as massage, manipulation and stretching, and a series of specific, progressive strengthening exercises. These exercises will help facilitate your return to normal activity, prevent re-injury and reduce your chances of developing referred pain in your upper arm again in the future. Other important treatment may include:
Can referred pain in the upper arm have any long-term effects?
Yes, if the cause of the pain is left untreated referred pain in the upper arm can persist for long periods of time.
To arrange a physiotherapy appointment call Physio.co.uk on 0330 088 7800 or book online today.
