Chronic or acute arm pain may involve the joints, tendons, muscles or other tissue in the arm, requiring integrative treatments to address the overall health problems. Patients may have to hit on the most effective combination by trying several different therapies.
Pain from joint or muscle strains may persist because patients continue to use the damaged limbs. Doctors unanimously prescribe rest as a pain relief treatment and first step toward recovery. Patients who skip this step face relapses or longer rehabilitation periods.
Temperature Therapy
Cold and hot compresses represent topical, nonmedicinal treatments that work to manage any type of arm pain, according to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. During the inflammatory stage after a muscle strain or during flare-ups of joint pain, cold packs should be used in 20-minute treatments every two to three hours. When acute swelling and pain relief is no longer needed, hot packs can be substituted to treat the stiffness that follows from muscle strain. This makes the muscles more limber prior to exercise.
Drug Therapy
Patients can take pain relief drugs for short-term attacks of chronic arm pain or after an arm strain or tear, when inflammation is at its peak. The Cleveland Clinic notes that patients can use nonprescription aspirin or ibuprofen to ease symptoms in most cases. Stubborn cycles of swelling and pain, however, may require prescription opioid pain relievers.
Chiropractic
Local injury or underlying causes, such as nerve compression, can cause arm pain. Chiropractic treatment addresses both spinal alignment and postures that may bear on arm health. The Cleveland Clinic reports that chiropractic care may be appropriate for conditions in which combined strain affects arm muscles, tendons and joints.
Massage
Individuals who are returning to exercise or who cannot break the pain cycle may benefit by massage therapy. Massage's effect on the brain triggers the release of endorphins in the blood, a nonmedicinal source of pain relief, says the American Massage Therapy Association.
The action of massage lengthens the muscles, increasing their flexibility and readiness for exercise. It increases circulation, bringing more oxygen to the affected arm muscle and bone tissue.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may render effects on the brain similar to those of massage. The NIH reports that research evidence is still insufficient, but millions of Americans use acupuncture therapy to treat musculoskeletal pain.
Physical Therapy
Long periods of reduced activity following muscle strains or joint pain flare-ups can leave the arms weak and vulnerable to re-injury. The NIH suggests working with a professional physical therapist to plan a gradual rehabilitation.
