Skip to content

Arm Pain

Extensor Digitorum Muscle Pain

    The extensor digitorum is located in the back of the forearm. It contributes to pain in the back of the hand and middle finger which sometimes radiates up into the back of the wrist and the back of the forearm. Pain is occasionally felt in the front of the wrist, just below the palm.

    Palmaris Longus Muscle Pain

      The palmaris longus muscle contributes to pain in the wrist, the palm of the hand, and will sometimes extend up into the forearm.

      Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle Pain

        The flexor carpi ulnaris muscle is located on the inside (pinky side) of the forearm. It contributes to pain in the wrist, palm of the hand, and the ring and little fingers. Pain is sometimes felt in the elbow.

        Flexor Pollicis Longus Muscle Pain

          The flexor pollicis longus muscle is located in the forearm, same side as the thumb. It contributes to pain in the middle joint and tip of the thumb. Pinching motions between the forefinger and thumb can cause intense pain. It can also cause the middle thumb joint to pop and sometimes lock.

          Pronator Teres Muscle Pain

            The pronator teres muscle is located in the front of the forearm. It can contribute to pain in the wrist near the thumb. Pain is often felt in the thumb pad and can extend up into the forearm. Cupping the hand can become almost impossible because of intense pain in the wrist and or thumb pad.

            Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle Pain

              The extensor carpi ulnaris is found in the back of the forearm toward the side of the little finger. It can contribute to wrist pain. The pain feels like a severe sprain. Twisting the wrist can cause sharp pain. The muscle is also a prime contributor to writers cramp.

              Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Muscle Pain

                The extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle is located in the back of the forearm on the side of the thumb. It contributes to a burning pain in the back of the hand that sometimes extends up to the forearm. Twisting the wrist can cause excruciating pain. It also can cause a weakened unreliable grip.

                Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Muscle Pain

                  The extensor carpi radialis longus contributes to pain in the elbow, forearm, back of the hand and first finger. It contributes to tennis elbow and can cause a weak unreliable grip.

                  Anconeus Muscle: Elbow Pain

                    The anconeus muscle is located in the forearm contributes to pain in the elbow. Pain is most pronounced when straightening the elbow. It is a prime contributor to tennis elbow and affects golfer’s non-dominant elbow.

                    Brachioradialis Muscle Pain

                      The brachioradialis is located on the outside of the arm and is a contributor to tennis elbow. It can cause pain on the outside of the elbow, forearm and often descends down into the wrist and thumb. It can contribute to numbness around the thumb as well as a weakened grip.

                      Supinator Muscle Pain

                        The supinator muscle is located on the thumb side of the elbow. It can contribute to pain in the elbow, forearm, and back of the hand at the base of the thumb. It can also contribute to numbness and tingling in the thumb side of the hand.

                        Triceps Brachii Muscle Pain

                          The triceps brachii muscle is found in the back of the upper arm. It can contribute to dull aching pain in the shoulder upper arm, elbow, forearm which occasionally extends into the fingers. The elbow can be hypersensitive and difficult to bend and straighten.

                          Latissimus Dorsi Muscle: Shoulder, Arm, Low Abdominal, Pain

                            The latissimus dorsi muscle can contribute to pain in the shoulder, upper back, and arm going down into the hand. The muscle can also cause pain in the side of the ribcage and lower abdomen. It is the muscle that most often causes the ‘side stitch’.

                            Subclavius Muscle: Collarbone, Arm, Hand, Finger Pain

                              The subclavius muscle is found just under the collarbone. It contributes to pain in the area around the clavicle (collarbone), shoulder, upper arm, forearm, thumb and fingers. It can also contribute to tingling and numbness in the arm and hand.

                              Scalene Muscles: Neck, Shoulder, Chest, Upper Back, Arm, Pain

                                Scalene muscles are a prime contributor to thoracic outlet syndrome as well as neck, shoulder, chest, upper back and arm pain. Muscle twitching, jerking and restlessness similar to restless leg syndrome felt in the neck and shoulder is a classic sign of scalene dysfunction

                                Coracobrachialis Muscle Pain

                                  The coracobrachialis muscle connects the shoulder to the upper arm. It can contribute to pain in the shoulder, back of the arm, and occasionally the middle finger. Pain is often felt when attempting to put your hand behind your back and or raising your arm over your head.

                                  Biceps Brachii Muscle Pain

                                    The biceps brachii muscle is found in the front of the upper arm. It contributes to pain in the shoulder, upper arm and elbow. Straightening the arm when the palm is facing up can be painful and difficult.

                                    Teres Major Muscle: Arm and Shoulder Pain

                                      The teres major is a shoulder muscle. It can contribute to pain in the shoulder, upper arm, and forearm. An indication of teres major muscle involvement is pain is felt in the shoulder and upper arm skipping the elbow and reoccurring in the back of the forearm.

                                      Infraspinatus Muscle: Shoulder, Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain, Rotator Cuff

                                        The infraspinatus muscle lines the back of the shoulder blade. It is one of the muscles that can contribute to frozen shoulder. The muscle can cause pain in the shoulder, neck, pain down the outside of the arm which descends down into the thumb and hand. Shoulder mobility can be greatly reduced.

                                        Subscapularis Muscle: Frozen Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff

                                          The subscapularis muscle is found on the inside of the shoulder blade. It can cause severe pain in the shoulder blade area that can also run down the back of the arm. Pain is also often felt in the wrist, but not the forearm.