Physical Therapy for Arm Pain in New Jersey

rm pain is a common complaint, especially among athletes and people in construction, childcare, and other jobs that involve repetitive manual labor. The most common cause is repetitive stress. Arm pain may also result from acute trauma, degenerative diseases, and other underlying conditions.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) treats patients with arm pain following a conservative philosophy that prioritizes physical therapy and other non-invasive treatment options. Treatment is available at convenient locations throughout northern New Jersey.

Causes for Arm Pain

Pain in the arms is a common symptom with many potential causes. Especially for manual workers and athletes, pain may be the result of wear and tear or overuse. It may also arise due to trauma. In older patients, the discomfort may instead be caused by a degenerative disorder. Still, other cases may be related to nerve damage, congenital malformation, or other underlying issues. The doctors at CNSO will help patients pinpoint the source of their pain. Common diagnoses include:

Overuse Injuries

Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis)
Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Tendonitis (in the biceps, triceps, or wrist)
Rotator cuff tear
Stress fractures
Bursitis

Traumatic Injuries

Bone fracture
Joint dislocation
Sprains
Throwing injuries
Fall on outstretched hand (FOOSH) injuries
Brachial plexus injury

Nerve Conditions

Pinched nerve
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Radial tunnel syndrome
Cervical radiculopathy

Malformation

Degenerative Disease

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Pseudogout
Gout

Risk Factors for Arm Pain

Certain patients face a higher risk of developing arm pain than others. This is most often due to their lifestyle, age, or overall health condition. Risk factors include:

Job responsibilities: Arm pain is more common in people who work manual labor jobs or jobs that require repetitive movements, especially of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
Sports involvement: Certain sports require extreme or repetitive movements of the arm, for example throwing a ball overhead or swinging a racket or club. Participants in these sports are at an increased risk of developing arm pain.
Lack of flexibility: Reduced joint flexibility results in poor mechanics. The arm is less able to sustain certain movements or forces, making it more susceptible to injury.
Lack of strength: Poor muscle strength also leads to poor mechanics and higher injury rates. It may also provide joints with less support, leaving them vulnerable to stress from overuse.
Previous injury: If a patient has previously sustained an injury to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand, those structures and mechanics may be weakened. Reduced flexibility, strength, and stability often lead to a higher risk of injury.
Aging: Bodies accumulate wear and tear, which may compound over a long lifetime, sometimes leading to degeneration and damage to joints. This leads to arthritis, which may cause arm pain.

Diagnosis of Arm Pain

If a patient reports arm pain to a primary care physician, or if a medical imaging scan indicates a problem, the patient will be referred to an orthopedist or licensed physical therapist. The specialist will conduct a thorough diagnostic process to identify the cause of pain, using the following steps:

Medical history assessment: First, the patient’s medical history is analyzed to identify risk factors for arm pain. These may include previous injuries, underlying conditions, or genetics.
Physical examination: Second, the specialist examines the patient’s neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand to evaluate pain points, reflexes, range of motion, muscle weakness, or loss of function. They may also look for other signs that indicate an arm condition.
Diagnostic imaging tests: Finally, an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan may highlight a muscular or skeletal abnormality.

This diagnostic process helps the orthopedist or physical therapist identify the structures and conditions that are causing pain. This information can then be used to develop a treatment plan that effectively targets pain at its source.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Arm Pain

CNSO is proud to be New Jersey’s premier rehabilitation service provider. CNSO applies a conservative philosophy to pain treatment. Unless immediate surgical intervention is absolutely required, CNSO will always recommend non-invasive treatment before surgery is considered.

CNSO’s approach is also collaborative. An award-winning team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists work together on each patient’s case. They evaluate the patient, determine the root cause of pain, and formulate a personalized care plan using knowledge contributed by all disciplines. Patient care at CNSO is focused on achieving the patient’s goals, and in most cases is successful through non-surgical options such as:

Activity and Lifestyle Modifications

If arm pain is caused by overuse, patients may be advised to modify their activity levels and lifestyle to avoid putting more stress on the arm. In addition to getting enough rest, they may need to make changes such as the following to everyday habits:

Use better form when training or participating in sports
Practice proper posture when reaching, pulling, or lifting
Limiting sports involvement and other strenuous activities
Adjusting work chair, desk, or computer heights or using ergonomic tools such as keyboards, staple removers, or hammers

Physical Therapy

The physical therapy team at CNSO will develop a personalized physical therapy regimen to build strength and stability in the arm while reducing pain. This approach typically uses exercises and tissue manipulations targeted at the affected structures, including the neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist, to relieve pain and improve mobility and muscle function. CNSO offers physical therapy services at its locations in Wayne, Paramus, Morristown, and Jersey City, NJ.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are medications used for pain and inflammation relief. They are typically available over the counter at pharmacies and retail locations. A pain management specialist may prescribe higher doses, especially for patients whose pain limits functional mobility.

Oral Corticosteroids

Like NSAIDs, oral corticosteroids are medications used to reduce inflammation and swelling. These are most often prescribed for a short course, typically five to seven days. The course of corticosteroids is often followed by a course of NSAIDs.

Steroid and Medication Injections

For some patients, arm pain may be improved with a strategic injection of medication. This treatment is administered by a doctor specializing in pain management, who will determine how much medication is necessary and where the injection will be most effective. Epidural steroid injections provide greater, longer-lasting pain relief than oral medications. Other types of medication may also be used in a joint injection, depending on the patient’s condition.

Surgical Treatments for Arm Pain

If arm pain does not improve with a conservative approach, or if CNSO diagnoses a cause that cannot be treated non-invasively, then surgery may be necessary. The physical therapist will collaborate with the appropriate surgical specialists, such as a neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon, to ensure appropriate treatment. Physical therapy may then be used to facilitate smooth recovery after the procedure.

Trust CNSO for Arm Pain Care

Arm pain can be debilitating, making it difficult for patients to participate in and enjoy everyday activities. The care team at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) understands this difficulty. By choosing CNSO, patients will receive care from a dedicated team of physical therapists and pain management specialists to target pain and dysfunction at their source. CNSO offers multiple convenient locations across northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties. To learn more about CNSO’s treatment options, contact the medical team today.