Discomfort in the Shoulder and Upper Arm
As a tall individual standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing around 170 pounds at the age of 33, I am currently experiencing significant discomfort in the upper section of my arm, situated just beneath my shoulder. Simple actions like tightening my belt or adjusting my pants trigger sharp sensations, and even the act of pulling up my trousers causes me pain. Although lifting my arms overhead doesn’t seem to aggravate the issue, I endure a persistent ache while walking, with my arms resting at my sides. Unfortunately, visiting a physician isn’t financially feasible for me right now. I am leaning towards the possibility that it might be tendinitis or a similar condition. Any guidance on stretches or exercises that might alleviate this discomfort would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
12/15/2025, 9:01:01 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant discomfort in your shoulder and upper arm, which can be quite distressing, especially during everyday tasks. Your symptoms may indeed be related to tendinitis or another condition affecting the muscles or tendons in that area. Let's focus on some self-care strategies that could help alleviate your pain.
Explanation
Shoulder and upper arm discomfort can stem from various causes, including overuse, poor posture, or strain from activities. Tendinitis, as you mentioned, typically involves inflammation of the tendons, leading to pain and discomfort. Since lifting your arms overhead doesn’t cause pain, it suggests your shoulder joint might be functioning well, but the surrounding muscles could be involved.
Next Steps
-
Rest and Modify Activities:
- Avoid movements or activities that directly trigger your pain, particularly those involving tightening your belt or pulling up trousers.
- Try to give your arm a break whenever possible while still gently moving it in non-painful ranges.
-
Ice Therapy:
- Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every few hours to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. Be sure to wrap ice packs in a cloth to protect your skin.
-
Gentle Stretching:
- Across the Chest Stretch: Gently pull one arm across your chest with the opposite hand to stretch the shoulder muscles. Hold for 20-30 seconds and switch sides.
- Shoulder Rolls: While sitting or standing, gently roll your shoulders forward and backward in a circular motion for relief. Aim for 10 repetitions in each direction.
-
Strengthening Exercises (once the pain decreases):
- Isometric Shoulder Exercises: Stand or sit with your back straight. Place your hand against a wall and push gently without moving your shoulder. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 5-10 times.
- Resistance Band Rows: If available, use a resistance band. Anchor it at foot level, grasp it with both hands, and pull towards your body, keeping your elbows close to your sides. This strengthens the upper back and shoulder area.
-
Posture Awareness:
- Pay attention to your posture while sitting or standing. Ensure that your shoulders are relaxed and not hunched. You might find it beneficial to set reminders throughout your day to check your posture.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep track of any changes in your discomfort, including when it worsens or improves. This information may help you identify patterns or triggers for your pain.
If your symptoms do not improve after trying these steps over the next week or if they worsen, it may become necessary to seek medical attention when financial circumstances allow. Meanwhile, be kind to yourself and take gradual steps to assess how your shoulder responds to these interventions. Let me know if you need more information or tips on specific stretches!
Related Questions
Visited Emergency Room for Rib and Chest Discomfort; Feeling Overlooked
Patient Details: 19 years old, Height: 5'7", Weight: 140 lbs, Female. Current Medications include Lamictal (100mg) and Klonopin (0.5mg). Occasionally uses nicotine pouches, with no noticeable increase in symptom severity associated with usage. Symptoms involve pain in the ribcage, sides, back, and chest, which have progressively intensified over the last few weeks. For several weeks now, I have been experiencing discomfort beneath both sides of my ribcage, particularly under the left rib, where it tends to pop out of place — a recurring issue I've had for years that has recently become more frequent. Additionally, there's pain on the left side of my chest. The sensation I feel is a squeezing or pressing pain located in the lower segment of my ribs at the back, both sides, and towards the front. This discomfort escalates when I move around, lie down, or take deep breaths. Pressing on the triangular area beneath my chest between the ribs triggers significant pain. Furthermore, I've been experiencing sharp sensations in my upper left chest, which I suspect could be related to either my heart or lungs, but the exact cause remains unclear. Breathing exacerbates this issue, accompanied by a general tightness in my chest. There is also an unusual cool or liquid-like sensation underneath my ribs and chest. I have noticed a burning sensation while urinating; however, a urine test returned normal results. During my hospital visit, the only procedures performed were a lung X-ray and an ECG, both of which yielded normal findings. I was surprised that they didn’t examine my ribs as well, assuming that had been the purpose of the X-ray. Upon reviewing the records later, it became clear that the X-ray conducted was strictly for lung evaluation. They did carry out a blood test; unfortunately, the results of important markers like ALT, BUN, WBC, RBC, and hematocrit were low but were not communicated to me. This scenario feels concerning, especially since there appears to be a lack of investigation regarding my rib issues given the frequent dislocation, alongside the pain radiating beyond my heart and lung area. The silence surrounding my low blood panel results adds to my feelings of being overlooked. I would appreciate any insights or perspectives on this matter.
Sore, Soft Bump Near My Back Tooth
I'm a 19-year-old male, and I've recently noticed a troubling development. Over the last three days, a painful, soft lump has appeared on my gums just behind my back molar. It has a noticeable white tip and is causing quite a bit of discomfort. Although I don't believe the nicotine pouches I use—located on the other side of my mouth—are related to this issue, I felt it might be worth mentioning. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Experiencing Heaviness and Discomfort in My Right Testicle
Greetings, I’m an 18-year-old male with no significant medical history. Recently, I have been experiencing a peculiar sensation in my right testicle that has persisted for about a month. This started after engaging in self-pleasure, and I noticed a feeling of heaviness right after that. Initially, I dismissed it, considering it a temporary issue. However, several hours later, the sensation lingered, prompting me to sleep, hoping it would resolve by morning. Unfortunately, it didn't improve, although I remained unconcerned, assuming it would eventually subside. To clarify, it’s not painful, but it is unusual to feel my testicle more acutely throughout the day, contrary to the general lack of awareness about that area in daily life. Occasionally, the heaviness might diminish to a level of 2 out of 10, peaking at around 5 or 6. I’ve noticed that this feeling tends to dissipate when I'm moving around but returns when I’m seated or lying down for an extended period. During that first week, I continued with my regular gym routine and even achieved a personal record in bench pressing on Monday, but the heaviness persisted. I worked out for four days that week before starting to worry and deciding to consult a local physician. The doctor noted slight swelling or possible inflammation in my right testicle and prescribed ibuprofen (600mg every eight hours). After beginning the medication, I experienced nausea that hindered my ability to eat properly, which resulted in increased fatigue and hunger. Additionally, I developed an odd sensation below my belly button, akin to pressure, that occasionally alleviated after drinking water. This new symptom did not arise during the first week. The following week, I underwent an ultrasound, which provided the following results: - No noticeable anomalies in the scrotal ultrasound. - The epididymal regions appeared normal. - Vascularity levels were deemed normal. - There were no signs of varicoceles or hydroceles. - Testicle shape, size, and echogenicity were normal. The ultrasound indicated no underlying issues, and the doctor suggested that the symptoms might stem from overexertion at the gym. However, given that the symptoms initiated before my workouts, I found this explanation unconvincing. Currently, the heaviness is still present; it may temporarily relieve before returning. There is no discomfort or abnormality when palpating the area, and I haven’t engaged in any strenuous activities or masturbation during this time. I am puzzled about what might be causing this condition. I've ceased taking ibuprofen, as it was the source of my nausea, and the doctor recommended this as well, suggesting that it should clear up in about a week, though the heaviness remains. I’m relieved that the ultrasound would have detected any serious issues, including cancer, yet I am uncertain about my situation. The heaviness seems concentrated towards the back of the testicle, which adds to my confusion. I do not experience pain, nor do I feel lumps, but occasional discomfort is present. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on whether I should pursue further medical evaluation. Thank you for your assistance!
Understanding Chest Discomfort
Greetings, I am a 19-year-old who experiences health-related anxiety. Earlier today, while attempting to lift an object, I unintentionally struck my upper chest against the desk, resulting in considerable pain. Although the intensity diminished after approximately one hour, I have been experiencing persistent discomfort in my chest for the rest of the day. How can I determine if this indicates a serious issue? Is it likely that I would have recognized any significant damage or problem immediately following the incident?
Toddler's Ear Tube Surgery Concerns
I have a 21-month-old daughter who weighs 28 pounds and is scheduled to undergo ear tube surgery. Over the past six months, especially in the last four, she's experienced frequent ear infections, requiring four courses of oral antibiotics since September. There's also been persistent fluid accumulation behind her ears during this time. Her surgery is set for the 30th. Recently, she developed pink eye accompanied by facial swelling. We visited urgent care where she received medicated eye drops. During a follow-up appointment with her pediatrician, we discovered that both ears are now infected. One of the infections is quite severe, with significant inflammation and close to perforation. As a result, she's going to receive three injections of Rocephin. I reached out to the ENT in hopes of rescheduling the surgery for an earlier date. Unfortunately, they informed me that due to her having parainfluenza on November 24th, they are unable to perform the surgery before the originally planned date. This restriction stems from an anesthesia policy. To complicate matters further, the clinic won’t be operating next week due to the Christmas holiday. However, her pediatrician assured me she would provide a letter authorizing the procedure, as she has no concerns regarding respiratory issues or airway safety at this moment. Still, the ENT office maintains their strict guidelines and will not budge on the surgery date. I’m worried about ensuring my daughter stays healthy during the Christmas season. With the prevalence of illnesses circulating, it feels uncertain how we can wait until the 30th without risk. My husband might inadvertently bring something home from work, and I’m deeply anxious about her ongoing ear infections. How critical is it to adhere to the 30-day waiting period following a viral infection for her ear tube surgery, especially since she currently shows no symptoms and her pediatrician has cleared her? I'm considering finding another ENT who might be able to expedite the procedure. I would appreciate any advice on this matter.