The most common cause of arm and neck pain is direct trauma, or injury due to a direct blow or force. Such injuries are common in athletes who participate in full-contact sports, as well as in people who may have experienced a fall or an automobile accident. The muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the neck and arms can be damaged by such a force, and the treatment for such injuries depends on the severity and location. Other problems that can cause arm and neck pain include spinal stenosis, overuse of the muscles in the arm and neck, sprains and strains in the arm and neck, and even in some cases a heart attack.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the area around the spine through which nerves run begins to narrow, causing arm and neck pain. Such narrowing may be the result of a herniated disc as well as normal wear and tear, and the pain may manifest itself as a sharp, shooting pain, tingling in the arm and neck, or even numbness. Arthritis, too, can cause arm and neck pain in the joints within those areas, particularly in the spine. Arthritis occurs when the ligaments that connect bones in a joint begin to wear out, allowing the bones to rub against each other. Arthritis pain is often accompanied by swelling and inflammation of the joints, and while there is no cure for arthritis, there are several steps a sufferer can take to alleviate the pain.
Sprains and strains can cause arm and neck pain as a result of awkward movements, undue stress on the arm and neck, and even direct force. Sprains occur when the ligaments that connect the bones in a joint are overstretched, and the tiny fibers that make up the ligament tear. A strain is essentially the same thing, except a strain happens to muscles, not to ligaments. Most sprains and strains heal on their own if given sufficient rest, though in some severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the tears. Strains generally heal faster than sprains do, and both injuries will require a certain amount of physical therapy that will help recondition the muscle or ligament for regular use.
One of the indicators that a heart attack is taking place is a severe ache in the left arm and shoulder. Many people who suffer a heart attack complain of pain on the left side, and the pain may even radiate to the right side or chest. The arm and neck pain associated with a heart attack is almost always accompanied by other symptoms; if one feels this pain in addition to other symptoms of a heart attack, he or she should seek medical help immediately, as the chances of surviving a heart attack are greatly improved the sooner medical attention is sought.
