What Does Pain In The Upper Arms Indicate While Reclining On The Sides?

Posted on Sat, 10 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 10 Feb 2018 Answered on

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have pain in my upper left arm. I’m thinking it has to do with stretching I did that I could have pulled a muscle. Hoping it’s not something more serious. It is worse when I lay on my left side and bend my arm under my pillow while sleeping.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

Musculoskeletal origin most likely.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Based on your description the pain most likely to be of musculoskeletal nature. However, a cardiac cause should be looked for. An EKG should be done.

If it's normal then NSAID like naproxen with muscle relaxant like tizanidine for 5 days should help resolve it.

Adjuvant physiotherapy should also be utilised which would help in a lesser reliance on the above meds and quicker recovery.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Dr Muhammad Sareer Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar