In the meantime, the forearms are no longer used exclusively for physical work, but are increasingly used in front of the PC or in the office for other writing activities. This part of the body is stressed more and more. For this reason, it is very important for everyone to know how Forearm pain can be treated.
What is forearm pain?
The problems in the forearm are caused by the movements of the arms. However, the pain often occurs without appropriate movements, i.e. when the patient is at rest.Forearm pain refers to complaints that appear in the area of the lower arms. These are usually very different and also cause different pain. A pulling pain often occurs in these areas, but burning or stinging is also possible.
This pain mainly extends from the elbows to the wrists. The symptoms in the forearm are caused by the movements of the arms. However, the pain often occurs without appropriate movements, i.e. when the patient is at rest. Preventing forearm pain is also important.
causes
Forearm pain can arise for many reasons. In most cases, the connective tissue is stiffened or shortened. This can also affect the muscles and tendons as well as the fasciae. But various types of injuries can also trigger the symptoms in the forearm. Usually different bone fractures, muscle fiber tears, sprains and bruises as well as strains are the cause of the pain.
Injuries to the neck and shoulder area as well as to the hands can also be responsible. Various infections should also be noted at this point. This can be, for example, contaminated wounds, sepsis or osteomyelitis. In addition, various neurological, inflammatory or degenerative diseases should be taken into account when it comes to pain in the forearm. Sometimes nerves are also pinched or compression occurs.
Sometimes rheumatic diseases or tendinitis can also be the cause of the pain in the forearm. Furthermore, diseases such as cervical spondylosis, a herniated disc in the neck area, bursitis, osteoarthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain in the forearm.
However, it is also possible that the symptoms are preceded by serious illnesses. These can be, for example, heart attacks or malignant tumors. For this reason, it is imperative that a doctor be consulted in the event of prolonged pain.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines for painDiseases with this symptom
- Torn hamstring
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Forearm fracture
- Tendonitis
- arthrosis
- allergy
- Osteomyelitis
- rheumatism
- Elbow dislocation
Diagnosis & course
It is very important for the doctor to find out the cause of the forearm pain. Only in this way can the correct therapy method be used so that the person affected can be helped.
In this way, the doctor will ask a variety of questions that must be answered correctly. The doctor pays special attention to the pain and symptoms. The beginning and duration of the complaints are also important.
In addition, the doctor will analyze all other illnesses and ask the patient about possible medication intake. After this in-depth discussion, the doctor examines the forearm. Swelling is particularly important here.
Complications
Forearm pain can be prevented and also treated. It depends on how severe the pain is in the forearm and how intense the injury is. If the pain is just growing pains, this pain can be relieved with painkillers. If the inflammation is deeper, it can be temporarily beneficial if the pain is relieved in this way.
For the remainder of the treatment, it is not enough to only continue therapy with pain killers. The patient can also do something for his own health to prevent negative development. If inflammation in the forearm occurs due to too hard strength training, you can help with very light massages and simple and pleasant fascia training. The fascia roll shouldn't be too hard.
Hard fascia rolls can make the inflammation worse. The patient should ensure that the painful area remains well warmed. The temperatures should not be higher than 30 degrees. Otherwise these temperatures can exhaust the tendons even more. If the pain does not subside within a short period of time, it may be advisable to consult a doctor, as the pain could be chronic.
When should you go to the doctor?
Forearm pain can occur in varying degrees of severity, so that a doctor may also have to be consulted. In most cases, the pain is triggered by external violence, so a medical examination should definitely be carried out. If swelling occurs after the violence, a doctor should also be consulted immediately. There is a very high probability that there is a sprain or even a fracture that must be treated by a doctor.
If you do not seek medical treatment at this point, you are putting yourself at risk. There is a high probability that a fracture will not be able to heal properly or grow together so that a visit to the doctor is inevitable. Of course, forearm pain can also be triggered by poor posture. People who work in the office often suffer from forearm pain. Tendons or muscles can be pinched, causing permanent pain. Even at rest, pain is not uncommon.
Thus: Affected people who suffer from permanent pain in the forearm should consult a doctor at an early stage. Only in this way can a quick and accurate diagnosis be made so that appropriate treatment can be initiated. Anyone who completely refrains from treatment by a doctor risks permanent damage to individual tendons, muscles or bones.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
When treating pain in the forearm, it is particularly important that the pain is precisely localized. It was found that immobilizing the affected arms only brings short-term relief. This approach is rather unfavorable for healing. The reason for this is that when the patient is immobilized, the connective tissue, muscles and fasciae solidify and in turn cause pain.
These are then often worse than before. The affected arm should also not be stretched, as this overloads the nervous system. Body therapy on the sensorimotor level is better here. This is used to make tendons, connective tissue, muscles and fasciae flexible again and to lengthen them. In addition, special brain regions that are responsible for muscle activity are trained in this way.
An appropriate therapist treats the patient with small exercises with regard to the movements. Under certain circumstances, such therapy can take a very long time. If the causes of the pain in the forearm are due to other diseases, this should be treated as a first step and, if possible, cured. In most cases, the patient is relieved of forearm pain as soon as the underlying disease is treated.
Outlook & forecast
If the forearm pain occurs after heavy physical exertion or sporting activity, it does not need to be treated by a doctor. In this case, the forearm pain usually disappears after a short time. During this time, however, the patient should protect the arm and not expose it to unnecessary strain. The pain can also occur after an accident or a blow to the forearm. As long as there are no further symptoms, no medical treatment is necessary.
In some cases, in addition to forearm pain, there is also swelling of the forearm. This can be treated with heat, cold and massages. Therapy is successful in most cases and eliminates the pain.Taking painkillers can also help in the short term, but long-term painkillers should not be used as they damage the body in the long term. Pain therapy or physiotherapy is carried out for long-lasting forearm pain. These therapies lead to a positive course of the disease.
If the forearm pain causes damage to the muscles or tendons, surgical interventions may be necessary. In most cases, the forearm pain will go away on its own and will not lead to any further symptoms.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines for painprevention
There are many different exercises that can be used to prevent forearm pain. It is particularly important that the training units are absolutely regular. Only in this way can the complaints be prevented efficiently and effectively. The fingers usually also play a role in the pain in the forearm. Therefore, they should definitely participate in the training exercises.
The easiest and most effective way to do this is to bring your forearms to your body. This exercise must be done at different speeds. A training session should take place between five and ten times. The fingers should be spread apart to complete the exercise and to prevent discomfort.
You can do that yourself
Forearm pain can have a wide variety of causes and always requires medical clarification. Once the reason for the symptoms is known, some measures and home remedies promise quick relief.
Pain as a result of tendinitis can be reduced, for example, by protecting the affected arm and cooling applications. If the forearm pain is due to a tennis elbow or a strain, stretching exercises, massages or heat therapy can help. Excessive stretching or stretching should be avoided, however, as this can exacerbate the causal inflammation or overstretching. In the case of severe complaints, local ultrasound and microwave treatment is recommended, in which the painful area is intensively irradiated, which usually relieves the discomfort.
In addition, pain relievers from nature and the household can be used. Curcumin, ginger and devil's claw, but also probiotics and food supplements with magnesium, B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids have proven themselves.
In the event of pain as a result of a carpal tunnel syndrome, cortisone preparations and the avoidance of unfavorable movements and postures help. If this does not reduce the forearm pain, a doctor or sports medicine specialist should be consulted to further clarify the causes.