Why do my arms hurt when running?
Sep 13, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
In general, arm soreness during running may be caused by muscle strain, lactic acid buildup, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), periarthritis of the shoulder, cervical spondylosis, or other reasons. Additionally, severe arm pain while running could also result from muscle overuse or ligament sprain. If symptoms are severe, individuals are advised to seek medical attention promptly and actively follow medical advice for treatment to avoid delaying recovery.
Generally, arm soreness during running may be caused by muscle strain, lactic acid buildup, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), periarthritis of the shoulder, cervical spondylosis, or other reasons. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Muscle Strain
Muscle strain and surrounding soft tissue damage can result from high-intensity exercise, improper stretching, or excessive force, leading to local aseptic inflammation or lactic acid accumulation, which causes arm soreness during running. It is recommended that patients stop exercising, rest adequately, apply local heat therapy, and use blood-circulation-promoting and stasis-resolving topical medications for treatment.
2. Lactic Acid Buildup
Arm soreness due to lactic acid buildup typically occurs on the same day as running. It mainly results from maintaining a relatively high running speed, causing lactic acid accumulation. When accumulated to a certain level, muscles feel sore, tight, and painful—a protective mechanism of the body. Usually, lactic acid is mostly metabolized by the body within two hours after exercise and generally does not cause significant side effects.
3. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
If arm soreness appears 12–24 hours after exercise and peaks between 24–72 hours, it is usually due to minor cellular damage in the exercised muscles. DOMS is a stress response produced during the body's repair of microscopically damaged muscle tissues. If left untreated, symptoms typically resolve within seven days. It is recommended that individuals gradually increase their exercise intensity when running, slowly increasing both running volume and speed.
4. Periarthritis of the Shoulder
In patients with periarthritis of the shoulder, long-distance running may aggravate involvement of the long head of the biceps tendon, resulting in arm soreness. For severe soreness, patients may take etoricoxib tablets or lornoxicam tablets as prescribed by a doctor, which can effectively reduce inflammatory swelling and pain. Patients are also advised to perform daily shoulder exercises such as circular movements, wall-climbing motions, and simulated hair-combing movements to improve shoulder mobility.
5. Cervical Spondylosis
Degenerative changes in the cervical spine may lead to compression of surrounding nerves by intervertebral discs, causing radiating pain into the arms, resulting in arm soreness during running, often accompanied by upper limb pain and numbness. Patients may take analgesic medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or nabumetone tablets, as well as neurotrophic agents like mecobalamin tablets and vitamin B12 tablets, under medical guidance.
In addition, severe arm soreness during running could also be caused by muscle overuse or ligament strain. If symptoms are severe, patients should seek timely medical attention and actively cooperate with treatment as directed by a physician to avoid delaying recovery.
