5 Ways To Treat Your Arm Pain at Home

You use your arms for just about everything, such as lifting, holding, grabbing, and throwing. Pain in any part of your arms can debilitate you by preventing you from carrying out your daily activities on your own.Arms are part of the upper extremities of the body. These are built of a network of bones, muscles, joints, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. The arms extend from the shoulder joint to the joint located on your wrists. Pain in the arm can be engendered by an injury, infection, or other conditions.Sore or painful arms are common but should not be taken lightly. Older adults are likely to have pain in the arm as a result of loss in muscle mass. Being physically active, children may often experience arm pain.

* Rest

For mild arm pain, the best thing you can do is rest.Proper rest is a key component for repairing soft tissue damage that often occurs with minor pain. On the other hand, continued or additional strain will cause more inflammation and pain and lengthen the healing time.For the first 24 to 72 hours, allow the painful arm to rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous exercise and movement. Also, do not type or do anything to make the sore arm feel worse. This will ensure quick reduction of swelling.

* Apply Cold Compress

Arm pain can be treated with cold compresses. However, it is effective primarily during the initial stage.The cold temperature helps make the tissue in the painful area numb, therefore alleviating the pain. It also helps reduce inflammation.

- Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap the bag in a thin towel.
- Place it on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat the application a few times daily for a few days.

* Use Hot Compress

Just like cold compresses, hot compresses can help treat arm pain. However, for the hot compress to be effective, only use it after 48 hours from when the injury occurred or the pain began.Heat increases the blood flow to the area, which in turn decreases the stiffness and pain.

- Fill a hot-water bag with hot water and apply it on the aching arm for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat the application a few times a day until you get complete relief.
- Also, you can stand in the shower and run warm to slightly hot water on your arm for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this twice daily.

* Wrap It Up

Wrapping the affected area with a compression bandage or elastic bandage can help reduce swelling and encourage healing.Compression puts even pressure on the painful area. Also, it gives ample support to your painful arm. Furthermore, it helps you move around more comfortably.Compress the affected area by wrapping it with an elastic bandage, which you can buy from the drugstore. Use the compression wrap for a few days or until the pain and swelling are gone.

* Raise Your Arm

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to reduce arm pain is to keep the painful area elevated. Elevation promotes proper blood flow to the area and elimination of waste products to speed up the healing process.It also keeps pressure off the injury, makes you more comfortable, and provides support.Use one or two pillows under your arm while resting or sleeping. If necessary, use a sling to keep your arm elevated.