Injuries to tendons and muscles can occur during any exercise, including weightlifting. As muscles grow, they might be sore. This is a normal part of building larger muscles. It is important to understand the difference between injury and the aches that come with working out. The upper arm consists of the bicep and tricep muscles. When overstressed, the muscle fibers can tear. A debilitating injury will cause sharp pain. You might have difficulty moving your arm. Soreness as muscles rebuild is a duller ache and will not have as great of an effect on mobility. If you are unsure, it is best to have a doctor look at the arm to determine if the injury is serious.
Ice Pack
Icing the injury site can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. When applying ice to your upper arm, do not let the ice come in contact with the skin. Wrap the container holding the ice in a towel before applying it to your arm. Place ice on the upper arm for 15 to 20 minutes once an hour for extreme pain. Once the pain subsides, continue to apply the ice four times a day for three days, or as long as you continue to have pain. As an alternative to an ice pack, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. If pain does not subside after icing, see your doctor. The injury might be more serious and require medical treatment.
Compression
A compression bandage will also help reduce inflammation to the injured area and reduce the ache. Wrap an elastic bandage around your upper arm to provide support while it heals. Keep the wrap loose enough so that the area has proper circulation. If the wrap causes pain or numbness, it is too tight. Take the wrap off at night or when resting.
Immobilization
The doctor might suggest you immobilize the arm to allow the muscles to heal properly. Immobilization utilizes a sling or splint to keep the arm from moving unnecessarily. Follow the instructions provided by your doctor for proper immobilization. Kleiser Therapy advises you to avoid any actions that require you to repeatedly bend your elbow. Immobilization with a sling will stabilize the arm in one position to prevent overuse of the elbow while the upper arm heals.
Medication
Over-the-counter pain medication might help you deal with the pain as the injury heals. You can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the instructions provided on the packaging for proper dosage. Your doctor might also inject the injured arm with a corticosteroid if necessary to reduce pain.
Rest
Above all other things, rest is the best treatment. If your arm is aching, the injury likely has not healed. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong. Lifting weights again before your arm is ready will aggravate the injury and cause more damage. As long as your muscles continue to ache, rest the arm. Once your doctor gives you the OK, you might need physical therapy to build up the muscle again before starting back with your normal workout routine.
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