Most arm and elbow injuries are due to injuries during extraneous activity in which the muscles, tendons, or joints move past their normal limits. Generally, more often than not such pain can be eased by pain relievers and simply relaxing the affected area. Unless the pain is too severe, perform most remedies at home. These include:
1) Using an ice pack or a frozen bag of peas wrapped in a towel.
2) Taking pain relievers as instructed.
3) Relaxing the affected area by elevating it for a while.
Should the pain persist after treatment, consult a doctor. Reasons to see the doctor can include the belief that the arm is broken, swollen, or has caused a fever to develop. If exercise causes the pain to worsen then it is best to stop and make an appointment with a doctor.
Causes
There are many causes that can lead to arm pain. They can include:
1) Various sprains caused by exercise or high impact activities.
2) Inflammation of the joints.
3) Nerve damage caused by repetitive injury.
Injury to the arm can be due to different ways, but is almost always due to trauma that occurs when joints and muscles are pushed past normal limits. Repetitive injuries are among the most common of injuries as they are often experienced by those in the workplace.
Treating elbow injuries
Unlike arm injuries, trauma to the elbow is often more serious and can require more conventional treatment. In some cases surgery is needed to correct the injury. A few options to alleviate elbow pain include:
1) Icing and relaxing the elbow
2) Taking pain relievers and, if needed, taking steroid inoculations
3) Physical therapy to increase range of motion
4) Using padding to cushion the elbow from further trauma
If the pain persists then an individual should consider medical help and possible surgery.
Prevention
Much like arm injuries, you can avoid trauma to the elbow when following proper care and safety measures. Individuals can avoid such injuries by:
1) Practice proper form when engaging in sports and related activities. While this is not always possible it is advised to perform at ones skill level to avoid injury. When using implements it is smart to use the proper grip to lower the risk of possible trauma.
2) Stretching properly goes a long way towards protecting the body from injury. When properly warmed up the body is far more flexible and can withstand more high impact exercises.
3) Using the proper padding can protect the joints from harmful trauma.
Preventing arm and elbow pain is possible and requires knowing ones limits. The doctor suggests resting after repetitive exercise or monotonous work activities to maintain joint and muscle health. Always consult with a physician if an injury persists after treatment.
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FACT CHECK
https://medlineplus.gov/elbowinjuriesanddisorders.html
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/elbow-pain#1
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/elbow-injuries-in-the-throwing-athlete/