A sore jaw, elbow or shoulder can be uncomfortable and seriously hamper any attempt to exercise. There are several reasons these areas become sore. Many times these issues are related to muscle damage caused by working out, or underlying conditions such as tendonitis or arthritis. There are several symptoms of a sore jaw, elbow or shoulder that you need to be aware of.
Muscle Tenderness
Sometimes, muscles in the area of the jaw, elbow or shoulder can come sore due to muscular damage from a workout or a strain from a sudden movement. One way to tell if your soreness is due to muscles is by pressing on those muscles in those specific areas and feeling pain or discomfort. For instance, delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is a condition that produces extreme muscle soreness within 24 to 72 hours after a workout, according to the "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research."
Inflammation
Inflammation is another cause of soreness in the jaw, elbow or shoulder. The area will look swollen and puffy upon visual inspection, and can be a key indicator that the area is sore. Inflammation is often caused by your body's natural reaction to chemicals that disturb the natural chemical balance in your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Limited Range of Motion
Another key indicator of a sore jaw, elbow or shoulder is a limited range of motion in those areas. A limited range of motion, as its name implies, is a restriction of movement in the affected area. For instance, if you try to abduct your arm, or lift your arm up from the side, and it is difficult, it may be a sign that your shoulder is sore.
References
- "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"; Treatment and prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness; Connolly DA, et al.; February 2003
- Cleaveland Clinic: Inflammation - What You Need to Know
- "The New York Times": Muscle Aches - Symptoms, Causes, Tests
- Parkinson's Recover Project: Recovery Symptoms - Muscle Soreness
- Sports Injury Bulletin: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
