If you’re at a high risk for heart issues, pain in your left arm can be pretty concerning. But oftentimes, you may notice sensations that tell you your arm pain may have a mechanical cause — for instance, if it shows up gradually over time or it’s accompanied by grinding or popping in your joints.
Most of the time, pain in the left arm isn’t due to a heart problem. If you’re feeling pain in your wrist and hand joints, in your shoulder, or radiating down the arm, there are a number of other causes that might explain the pain you’re feeling.
This article covers 10 possible causes of left arm pain other than a heart attack.
What’s causing pain in my left arm?
Many musculoskeletal injuries to the left arm are irritation caused by overuse. These conditions can come on gradually, or you may not notice moderate to severe pain when they become aggravated. Some arm pain is caused by underlying issues that are a little more complex, like a brachial plexus injury or thoracic outlet syndrome. More on these below.
Acute arm pain can be tricky because it could be radiating from an injury in the wrist or hand. The tendons that connect your hand, shoulder and arm muscles to the bones can easily become sore and irritated because of weakness or imbalances elsewhere.
Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common overuse injuries because people usually don’t think to stretch out their shoulders before performing repetitive arm movements. Playing a game of baseball on the weekend or doing some repairs around the house can lead to an overuse injury rather quickly. Elbow joints do a lot of work when we use our arms. Conditions like bursitis, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can also develop from overuse.
10 possible causes of left arm pain that don’t involve a heart attack
If you’re feeling pain in your left arm with no chest pain, sweating or other heart attack symptoms, it’s a pretty safe bet that there’s another cause. In some cases, some rest and an over-the-counter pain reliever may be all you need to start feeling better. Other times, you may need to see a physical therapist to get some relief and prevent your arm pain from becoming a chronic condition. If home remedies aren’t helping and your pain has lasted for more than a week, you should see your doctor or a physical therapist.
The following 10 conditions can cause pain in the left arm that isn’t related to a heart episode:
- Injury — Most of the time, pain from a fracture, sprain or strain will show up right away and you’ll know what caused it. But that’s not always the case. It is possible to develop a stress fracture in your arm from overuse. You may overextend your elbow joint without realizing it, and if you’re under a lot of stress, you might not notice your pain right away.
- Peripheral neuropathy — The nerves that run down your arms are connected to your spinal nerve at your neck and shoulders. When any of these nerves are damaged, you may notice arm pain along with a pins-and-needles sensation, numbness, or weakness.
- Tendinitis — Tendons are the connective tissue that holds your bones and muscles together. They can become inflamed and sore from overuse or strain. You may notice cracking, popping or swelling with tendinitis.
- Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow — These are both types of tendinitis that occur in the elbow. Tennis elbow is irritation on the outside or lateral side of the elbow, and golfer’s elbow is irritation on the inside or medial side. You may notice a weakened grip, tingling, numbness or pain when you make a fist.
- Bursitis — Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion your muscles, bones and tissue. These can become irritated and swell up. Bursitis is especially common in the shoulders, elbows, knees and feet.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain that starts in the wrist and radiates up the arm. It happens when the median nerve in your wrist is compressed, for instance, from holding a mouse or bending your wrists to use a keyboard. You may need to stretch out your wrists, do some exercises to keep them in shape or wear a brace to prevent further injury.
- Brachial plexus injury — The brachial plexus is a nerve network that starts at your spinal cord in your neck and extends down across your chest to your armpit. When your arm or your head and neck are forcibly pulled from your shoulder joint, it can become injured. You may notice pain, paralysis or diminished control in your arms.
- Pinched nerve — Cervical radiculopathy is the term for a pinched nerve in your neck. This means the surrounding tissue is compressing one of your nerves, sometimes due to a ruptured or herniated disc. It can cause pain, tingling and numbness in different parts of your body, including your arms.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome — The thoracic outlet is the opening that connects your neck and your chest, where your spine, nerves and major blood vessels pass through. When something compresses the blood vessels or nerves in your upper chest or lower neck, it can cause upper arm pain. Thoracic outlet syndrome is rare, but researchers also believe it’s underdiagnosed because it causes a wide range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, weakness, skin that’s cool to the touch, and swelling or heaviness.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome — This is when the top outer edge of your shoulder blade rubs against your rotator cuff, which is a muscle group. It can be caused by swelling and inflammation of the rotator cuff or bursitis near the shoulder joint. With this condition, you’ll notice pain when moving your shoulder and lifting things.
Back in Motion can help with left arm pain that’s not heart related
Narrowing down the specific cause of your arm pain may be difficult. The good news is that most of these conditions improve with some rest, gentle stretching and exercise. If home remedies aren’t working or your pain persists for more than a week, you should seek medical care.
There are several physical therapy treatments that can help improve circulation in your arms and break up stiffness from inflammation. Some patients see relief after just one or two treatments. Your therapist might use joint mobilization techniques to facilitate range of motion in your shoulder or elbow. Or they might use manual therapy to gently release stiffness in your tendons and soft tissue.
A physical therapist can help determine if there’s an underlying cause that needs to be treated. They can make recommendations on ways to keep the joints, muscles and other structures in your arms healthy. Incorporating specific stretches and exercises when you do certain activities that irritate your arm pain may help you stay pain-free in the long term.
Ready to find out if physical therapy can help relieve your left arm pain? Maine is a direct access state, so you don’t need a referral to see a physical therapist. We accept most private and workers’ compensation insurances at Back in Motion Physical Therapy. We also offer a reduced cash pay rate for patients without insurance.
Let’s talk about your arm pain symptoms and see if physical therapy services are a good fit. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our PTs today. Call us or request an appointment.
