What causes arm soreness when running?
In general, arm soreness during running may be caused by muscle fatigue, improper posture, soft tissue injury, chronic tendonitis, arthritis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and identify the underlying cause under the guidance of a professional doctor before initiating treatment. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Muscle Fatigue
During high-intensity or prolonged exercise, muscles may undergo anaerobic metabolism due to insufficient oxygen supply, leading to the accumulation of large amounts of lactic acid. This buildup can result in muscle fatigue and cause arm soreness while running. After exercise, maintaining appropriate rest and stretching can help accelerate lactic acid metabolism and elimination.
2. Improper Posture
Incorrect running posture may cause certain arm muscles to become overly tense or subjected to unnecessary pressure, resulting in arm soreness during running. It is recommended to adjust your running posture to ensure arms hang naturally, which helps reduce strain on arm muscles.
3. Soft Tissue Injury
External injuries such as compression or impact to the arms during running may lead to local soft tissue damage, causing arm soreness that becomes more noticeable during physical activity. Patients may also experience symptoms such as bruising, redness, or swelling. Treatment may include medications like Yunnan Baiyao aerosol spray, Shujin Huoxue tablets, or Dahuoluowan capsules, used according to medical advice.
4. Chronic Tendonitis
Tendonitis is usually caused by repetitive overuse of muscles or sudden severe trauma. During running, repeated pulling on arm muscles may trigger tendon inflammation, leading to arm soreness. Common accompanying symptoms include localized tenderness and swelling. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as aspirin tablets, indomethacin tablets, or ibuprofen sustained-release tablets may be used for treatment.
5. Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation of joint tissues. Repetitive swinging of the arms during running may exacerbate joint wear and tear, triggering or worsening arthritis, thereby causing arm soreness during running. Symptoms may include joint pain and swelling. Medications such as naproxen capsules, Lei Gong Teng tablets, or colchicine tablets may be used under medical supervision.
In daily life, avoiding strenuous exercise, ensuring adequate rest, using proper running posture, and maintaining a balanced diet can help maintain normal arm function.