Throbbing Arm: Underlying Causes and Treatment Options

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Does your arm feel tight? Do you sometimes see pulsations or little areas that jump around randomly? Although you might think you have a muscle twitch, this could be caused by nerves in your neck. When those nerves are irritated, symptoms can appear in the arm muscles.

To understand why this happens, you must first understand that your arm muscles get instructions from the nerves in your neck.

Sometimes, the only symptom of irritated neck nerves is tightness or throbbing in the arm muscles. Many patients don’t experience much neck pain, so the arm throbbing can signal a much bigger neck problem.

Over time, issues with your neck can cause arm problems, such as degeneration or injuries to tendons that can lead to tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. It’s important to address the neck issue when the throbbing arm—the warning signal—first presents itself.

The Link Between Neck Nerves And Arm Pain

Muscles attach to bones by tendons. The muscles are signaled to move by nerves. When the nerves aren’t functioning correctly, muscles may not perform optimally. Parts of the muscles shut down, developing trigger points.

These areas are tight bands of muscle that don’t contract and relax like normal, healthy muscle. This causes too much pulling on the areas where the tendons attach, eventually resulting in tendinitis. So how does a nerve in the neck impact a muscle or tendon down the line and cause arm throbbing?

The “wiring” of the neck, shoulder, and arm are all connected. So, injured neck nerves can lead to throbbing, tightness, and pain in the arm and shoulder. Referred pain means that the pain you feel in one part of your body originated in another part of your body and may be perceived as worse than the origin of the pain. For example, problems in the neck can refer to pain down to the hip.

For example, a chronic tennis elbow that won’t easily respond to treatment may indicate a pinched nerve in the neck. The C6-C7 nerves in the neck supply these forearm muscles and can malfunction in small areas when these nerves are irritated. So, what may feel like an elbow problem could be a warning signal from the neck.

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How The Referred Pain Phenomenon Relates To This

The referred pain phenomenon, unfortunately, has led to many unnecessary surgeries over the years. In the case of tennis elbow, for example, a surgeon might perform a procedure to cut the tendon in the elbow to release tightness in the arm.

However, in some cases, the actual cause of the problem is a nerve in the neck. In such cases, even after undergoing invasive surgery, the patient continues to experience pain or tightness in the same area because the true source of the issue was not the arm. No one wants surgery they don’t need.

Even if the issue is isolated to the elbow and physical therapy fails to provide relief, surgery is still not always necessary for treating tennis elbow. Research and our clinical experience have demonstrated that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may effectively treat many patients.

It’s important to understand that the location of the pain may not always indicate where the actual damage is. If you experience throbbing or tightness in your arm and treatments targeting that area are not helping, consider consulting a physician to evaluate your neck before deciding on invasive surgery.

Associated Symptoms To Watch Out For

When experiencing arm throbbing, paying attention to other symptoms that could signal an underlying issue is essential. These associated symptoms may help identify the root cause of your discomfort and determine whether professional medical attention is needed.

Pulsing Or Aching Sensation

A pulsing or aching sensation in the arm often accompanies throbbing. This can indicate vascular issues, muscle strain, or inflammation, requiring careful monitoring to avoid further complications.

Numbness Or Tingling In The Arm

Numbness or a tingling sensation, sometimes described as “pins and needles,” can point to nerve irritation or compression. This could be caused by a pinched nerve in the arm, like carpal tunnel syndrome, or even issues in the cervical spine.

Weakness Impacting Arm Function

Arm weakness may be a more concerning symptom, as it can interfere with daily tasks and indicate more severe nerve or muscle damage. If the weakness persists or worsens, seeking medical advice is important.

Pain That Radiates From The Neck To The Arm

If the throbbing in your arm is accompanied by pain that radiates from the neck, it could be a sign of cervical radiculopathy. This condition occurs when nerve roots in the neck are compressed, leading to radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm.

Common Causes Of Throbbing In The Arm

Arm throbbing can stem from various causes, many of which are linked to daily activities or underlying health conditions. Understanding the potential triggers can help you identify the source of the discomfort and seek appropriate treatment.

Poor Posture And Ergonomics

Sitting or standing with poor posture, especially while working on a computer or performing repetitive tasks, can strain the muscles and nerves in the arm. Over time, this strain can lead to throbbing sensations or discomfort.

Overuse Injuries

Repetitive motions like typing, lifting, or playing sports can lead to overuse injuries like tendinitis or muscle strain. These injuries often cause throbbing or aching pain in the affected arm.

Nerve Irritation In The Neck

Irritation or compression of nerves in the neck, such as in conditions like cervical radiculopathy, can cause pain that radiates into the arm. This can result in throbbing, numbness, or weakness, particularly when the nerve is compressed or irritated by poor neck positioning.

What Else Could Be Causing Your Throbbing Arm?

While many cases of throbbing in the arm are related to posture or overuse, several other conditions, particularly those affecting the nerves, joints, or spine, can contribute to this symptom. Here are some potential causes to consider.

Nerve-Related Conditions

Nerve damage or compression, such as in cervical radiculopathy or thoracic outlet syndrome, can cause throbbing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm, often radiating from the neck or shoulder.

Brachial Plexus Injury: An injury to the network of nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand can result in throbbing pain, weakness, and loss of function.
Cervical Radiculopathy: This occurs when nerves in the neck are compressed, leading to a throbbing pain that radiates down the arm, often accompanied by numbness or tingling.
Radial Nerve Palsy: Damage to the radial nerve, which runs along the arm, can cause weakness, throbbing, and difficulty with hand movements.
Axillary Nerve Compression: Although less common, compression of the axillary nerve, which supplies the deltoid and shoulder region, can cause localized shoulder pain, numbness, and weakness, but it typically does not produce throbbing pain radiating into the arm.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: This condition occurs when nerves or blood vessels are compressed in the thoracic outlet, the space between the collarbone and the first rib, leading to arm pain and throbbing.

Joint And Tendon Conditions

Overuse or injury to the joints and tendons, such as tennis elbow or rotator cuff issues, can lead to inflammation and throbbing pain, particularly with movement.

Calcific Tendinitis: A build-up of calcium deposits in the shoulder tendons can cause severe throbbing pain, especially during movement.
Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow): Similar to tennis elbow but affecting the inner elbow, this condition can cause throbbing pain due to strain on the tendons of the forearm.
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis: Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, often due to repetitive overhead movements or strain, can cause persistent shoulder pain that worsens with arm movement or lifting.
Arthritis: Joint inflammation, such as in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause dull, achy, and sometimes throbbing pain in the shoulder, elbow, or wrist, often worsening with activity or after periods of rest.
Lateral Epicondylitis: Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, leading to tendon irritation on the outer elbow. It may result in pain, weakness, and reduced grip strength, often worsening with repetitive arm movements. Read More About Lateral Epicondylitis.

Spine-Related Conditions

Conditions affecting the spine, like herniated discs or spinal instability, can compress nerves, resulting in throbbing pain that travels down the arm.

Spinal Instability: When the spine becomes unstable, it can irritate the nerves and lead to arm pain or throbbing sensations.
Degenerative Disc Disease: Degeneration of the discs in the thoracic spine can cause pain that radiates to the arm by pinching the nerves exiting the neck, contributing to throbbing sensations.

Connective Tissue Disorder

Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can cause joint instability and throbbing pain due to overly flexible or weak tissue.

When To Seek Medical Attention

Knowing when arm throbbing may indicate a more serious condition requiring professional care is important, as early intervention can help prevent further complications. Recognizing these signs ensures timely treatment for optimal recovery.

Persistent or worsening pain: If the pain doesn’t subside or progressively worsens, it could signal an underlying issue.
Numbness or tingling: Persistent numbness or tingling might indicate nerve damage that requires evaluation.
Weakness or inability to move arm: Sudden or increasing weakness may be a sign of a serious injury or nerve problem.
Radiating pain from neck to arm/shoulder: Pain that travels from the neck could indicate a pinched nerve or spinal condition.
Swelling or deformity: Visible swelling or deformity may indicate a fracture or severe tendon injury.
Difficulty performing daily tasks: If the throbbing pain impacts your ability to perform everyday activities, medical attention is advised.
Loss of sensation in arm/hand: Complete or partial loss of sensation could be a sign of nerve compression or severe injury.

Diagnosing The Root Cause Of Your Throbbing Arm

To effectively treat arm throbbing, it’s crucial to identify the underlying cause. This often involves various diagnostic steps that will help pinpoint whether the issue stems from muscles, joints, or nerves, allowing for a targeted treatment plan.

Physical examination: Diagnosing arm throbbing requires a thorough exam that includes all muscles and nerves from the neck through the arm. It requires a more comprehensive assessment than a quick “Can you feel this?” neurologic check.
Medical history: Discussing your symptoms, lifestyle, and any past injuries helps identify patterns that could be linked to your arm pain.
Imaging tests: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be used to detect structural issues, such as bone fractures, joint problems, or soft tissue injuries.
Nerve conduction studies: Nerve conduction studies help detect nerve damage or compression. This exam checks if the sensation is equal between sites and tracks the arm throbbing to its nerve source in the neck. Physicians in the licensed Regenexx network may use the SANS approach—focusing on Stability, Articulation, Neuromuscular Status, and Symmetry— to support a more accurate diagnosis.

Conventional Treatment Options For Arm Throbbing

Several effective treatments are available for managing arm throbbing, depending on the underlying cause, and combining these approaches can often provide more comprehensive relief. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your condition.

Rest and activity modification: Reducing or adjusting activities that exacerbate the pain can promote healing and prevent further injury.
Heat or cold therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected area can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in the arm.
Ergonomic adjustments: Adjusting posture and workspaces can minimize strain and prevent further arm discomfort.
Physical therapy: A structured physical therapy program can improve mobility and strength and reduce arm pain through targeted exercises.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with arm throbbing.
Corticosteroid Injections: These injections can provide relief by reducing inflammation in areas causing throbbing pain in the arm but may worsen symptoms long-term by speeding up arthritis and decreasing tendons’ ability to heal.

Dealing With Throbbing Arms With The Regenexx Approach

A proactive approach to managing arm throbbing, such as addressing smaller issues like nerve compression in the neck with physical therapy or biomechanical correction.

If these methods do not resolve the issue, physicians in the licensed Regenexx network may utilize interventional orthobiologics, such as concentrated platelet growth factors, to help support the body’s natural healing abilities, which may prevent the condition from worsening.

For cases where a nerve in the neck is causing the throbbing, precise, less invasive fluoroscopic-guided injections of growth factors derived from your own blood platelets may be used.

Recognize The Signs And Manage Your Arm Pain

We often pay more attention to our phone notifications than to the warning signals from our bodies. However, attention to these signs can be the key to staying active and healthy as we age. Addressing symptoms like arm throbbing early can prevent them from escalating into more serious conditions.

Manage Your Arm Throbbing With Innovative Solutions

Arm throbbing doesn’t have to hold you back. With proactive care, from physical therapy to advanced treatments like biologic injections, you can address potential underlying factors and support your body’s natural healing abilities. The Regenexx approach utilizes interventional orthobiologics to help manage discomfort and support joint and tissue health.

Are you experiencing a throbbing arm? Consult with a physician in the licensed Regenexx network today to see if the Regenexx approach is right for you.

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