You may experience forearm pain without even without any obvious cause, like an injury or accident earlier in the day. Experiencing aches in the forearm can be a baffling issue for many people, however there are many logical explanations as to how it may have happened, and most have to do with one’s muscles. If you think that the problem may be serious, do not hesitate to see a doctor for a proper diagnoses. Some common causes of forearm pain are muscle strain, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and in rare cases, even a heart attack.
Inflammation
When the tendons that connect the muscle to the bone get inflamed, then that individual is suffering from tendinitis. The inflammation usually originates in a tendon somewhere in the elbow which later spreads to the forearm. The most common causes of tendinitis are injury, aging, and overuse. Most sufferers get tendinitis due to playing specific sports like gold and tennis. As such, it is commonly referred to as tennis or golfer’s elbow. The proper way to treat this condition is to rest the area and refrain from participating in the activities which injured it in the first place. In rare cases, steroid shots or surgery may also be required.
Muscle Strain
Another source of forearm pain is due to muscle strain. This typically occurs due to the muscle being stretched beyond its limit, almost to the point of tearing. Common sources of this type of injury are due to sports, intense physical activities, or performing heavy weightlifting exercises improperly. Luckily, most treatment for muscle strain are available at home: rest, ice, elevation, and pain medications are very effective for treating this kind of forearm pain. Should home treatment fail to heal the injury, then medical attention should be sought out immediately.
Repetitive Motions
Those who perform repetitive movements with their arms and hands may experience forearm pain as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome. For example, individuals who work on an assembly line, type on their computer keyboard daily, or generally perform repetitive movements for their hobby or career are susceptible to experiencing forearm injuries due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Further examples include: rowing, golfing, knitting, and tennis are all activities which can easily lead to forearm injuries. Generally, tingling and discomfort will begin to occur in one’s hand and wrist, however the pain can spread to the forearm or even the shoulder. Pain relievers and adequate rest are often enough to remedy mild cases, but surgery may be needed for serious cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Heart Attack
Though this is very rare (and thus not widely known), experiencing forearm pain in the left arm may actually be a symptom of an impending heart attack. The pain may be sudden, originating from the shoulder, then to the forearm, or it could be a constant source of pain for several days. Whichever the case, unexplained pain that is present in the left arm should warrant a visit to the doctor immediately. This is especially prudent if the other symptoms include sweating, anxiety, nausea, and chest pains.