Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses From ExercisesCauses From ConditionsSelf-CareForearm Pain ExercisesMedical OptionsSensationDiagnosisSeeking Medical care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes From Exercises
Causes From Conditions
Self-Care
Forearm Pain Exercises
Medical Options
Sensation
Diagnosis
Seeking Medical care
Many things can cause forearm pain. The most common cause of wrist and forearm pain is arepetitive stress injuryfrom daily activities. Issues with your muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, bones, arteries, or nerves can trigger forearm pain.
Read on to learn what you need to know about forearm pain management and treatment options, what causes and stops the pain, how to tell when your symptoms might be serious, and more.
4 Types of Forearm PainForearm pain etiologies (causes) can be classified into the following four major groups:Musculoskeletal(tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow)Neurologic(nerve compression, neuropathy)Vascular(artery disease, heart attack)Other(trauma, infection)
4 Types of Forearm Pain
Forearm pain etiologies (causes) can be classified into the following four major groups:Musculoskeletal(tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow)Neurologic(nerve compression, neuropathy)Vascular(artery disease, heart attack)Other(trauma, infection)
Forearm pain etiologies (causes) can be classified into the following four major groups:
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Causes of Forearm Pain From Exercise
Forearm pain from sports-related exercise generally falls into two categories: sudden injuries and repetitive strain injuries. The differences are described below.
Sudden Injuries
Sudden exercise-related forearm injuries include:
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive strain injuries, also called repetitive stress injuries, occur from overuse. Although they’re commonly associated with sports, any repetitive motion can cause this type of forearm pain. Types of repetitive motion that may cause repetitive strain injuries include:
You Don’t Have to Play Tennis to Get Tennis Elbow
Elbow Pain From Lifting: Steps to Relieve Pain
Forearm Pain and Condition-Related Causes
Underlying medical conditions and various syndromes can cause forearm pain. Below are some condition-related causes of forearm pain.
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Experiencing painful, tender spots all over the body, including the forearms, is common among people withfibromyalgia.
Forearm Osteomyelitis
Brachial Plexopathy
Brachial plexopathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that causes numbness, weakness, and pain) that can occur when thebrachial plexusis damaged. Nerves run from the lower neck, through the upper shoulder, and down the arm from the brachial plexus. If this bundle of nerves is damaged, the resulting peripheral neuropathy can cause forearm pain.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The narrow passageway between the collarbone and first rib is crammed with nerves and blood vessels. Compression of these nerves can causethoracic outlet syndrome(TOC), which often causes forearm pain.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Many jobs that require using your hands for hours a day at an ergonomically incorrect angle that compresses the nerves passing through the carpal bones at the bottom of the wrist can cause forearm pain associated withcarpal tunnel syndrome(CTS). Typing is a common cause. Rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, and thyroid imbalance can also cause CTS.
Is My Arm Pain a Heart Attack Symptom?There may be a link between forearm pain and the heart. If you experience sudden, unexplained forearm pain, especially if it occurs on the left side with chest pressure, nausea, or weakness, it may be a sign that you’re having aheart attack. Arm pain is a common warning symptom associated withsudden cardiac arrest.Seek emergency treatment orcall 911if you experience forearm pain along with any othersigns and symptomsof a myocardial infarction.
Is My Arm Pain a Heart Attack Symptom?
There may be a link between forearm pain and the heart. If you experience sudden, unexplained forearm pain, especially if it occurs on the left side with chest pressure, nausea, or weakness, it may be a sign that you’re having aheart attack. Arm pain is a common warning symptom associated withsudden cardiac arrest.Seek emergency treatment orcall 911if you experience forearm pain along with any othersigns and symptomsof a myocardial infarction.
At-Home Self-Care for Forearm Pain
Although it’s always recommended to get prescriptive medical advice from a healthcare provider, the self-care home treatments below can help relieve some types of forearm pain with minimal risk of dangerous side effects.
RICE Method
The acronym “RICE” stands for “rest,” “ice,” “compression,” and “elevation.” The RICE method is the gold standard for treating acutestrains and sprains.
Applying Heat
Applying Cold
Oral Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter oral pain relievers likeaspirinand anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) can alleviate mild to moderate forearm pain.
Topical Analgesics
Topical pain relievers such as Voltaren (diclofenac) or Icy Hot (methyl salicylate) can be used at home to treat some types of mild to moderate forearm pain without serious adverse side effects.
Self Massage
Throughout the day, you can gently massage painful areas in your forearm with your fingertips to stimulate blood flow and promote healing. Pressing into specific sore spots with your thumb (myofascial release) can help break up painful knots.
Stretches
To do a forearm stretch, extend one arm and place your fingers from the other hand behind the extended arm’s fingertips. Gently pull towards your shoulder. Feel the muscles and tendons underneath the forearm stretch, then release. Hold each stretch for five to 10 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Strengthening exercises can help forearm pain. Most forearm pain exercises involve moving the wrist in different directions while creating strength-building resistance with either a weighted object (e.g., dumbbell, water bottle) or a resistance band.
Below are two forearm strength-building exercises you can do at home without gym equipment:
Medical Treatment Options for Forearm Pain
Braces and Splints
Injections
Surgery
In serious cases, surgery may be the best (or only) option for treating your forearm pain. But surgery always comes with risk. If possible, get a second opinion before deciding to have a surgical procedure to treat forearm pain.
How Does Forearm Pain Feel?
Diagnosing Forearm Pain
Depending on the underlying cause of forearm pain, the diagnostic process can vary. In general, after a physical exam and taking a patient’s medical history, one or more of the following tools are used when diagnosing forearm pain:
Although it might seem easy to self-diagnose the cause of your forearm pain, to avoid the risks associated with misdiagnosis, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional and get an accurate diagnosis.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical attention for acute forearm pain if you:
Summary
Speaking to a healthcare provider at the first sign of forearm pain is important so you can start treatment early and avoid more damage.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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