Why Do My Arms Hurt When I Sneeze?
Why Do My Arms Hurt When Sneezing?
Sneezing is a natural reflex that helps clear the nasal passages of irritants, allergens, and other particles. However, sneezing can cause painful sensation in body and arm. While sneezing itself is generally harmless, the pain you feel in your arms after sneezing can be concerning. Understanding the reasons behind this pain and how it relates to the mechanics of sneezing is crucial to determining whether it’s something to address with a specialist. This article answers all the important questions related to why your arms hurt when you sneeze.
Why Sneezing Is Important
Sneezing plays an essential role in maintaining respiratory health. It expels unwanted particles from the nasal passages, preventing them from entering the lungs. A sneeze begins with the irritation of the nasal mucosa, triggering a reflex response involving several muscles in your body. This process happens so quickly that the force of a sneeze can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
Though sneezing is necessary for respiratory health, it can cause discomfort, especially when accompanied by pain in the arms. To better understand this sensation, let’s explore how the body reacts during a sneeze.
Understanding Sneezing
Sneezing is a complex reflex that involves muscles throughout your chest, abdomen, neck, and even shoulders. When you sneeze, your body undergoes rapid contraction and relaxation of these muscles. Sometimes, the sudden and forceful nature of sneezing places stress on muscles or nerves, which can result in discomfort or even pain in areas far removed from the nose and chest—like the arms.
A sneeze activates the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle under the lungs. In the process, it can also engage muscles in the upper body, particularly in the shoulders and neck. Since many muscles and nerves are interconnected, especially through the spine, this can cause unexpected discomfort in the arms when sneezing.
What Causes Arm Pain after Sneezing?
There are several reasons why sneezing may cause pain in your arms. The musculoskeletal or nervous system often causes the issue. Here are some common reasons why your arms hurt after sneezing:
1. Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve frequently causes arm pain after sneezing. Surrounding tissues like bones, cartilage, or muscles apply too much pressure on the nerve, leading to discomfort. This can happen in areas such as the neck or spine, which are connected to the arms.
When you sneeze, the sudden jerking motion of your head and upper body can exacerbate existing pressure on a pinched nerve. This leads to a shooting pain that travels from the neck down to the arms. Pain management specialists often see patients with these types of issues, especially those with underlying spine conditions.
2. Herniated Disc
Another potential cause of arm pain during or after sneezing is a herniated disc in the spine. Discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. When one of these discs bulges or ruptures, it can compress nearby nerves. This condition can cause pain to radiate from the spine into your arms, particularly when you sneeze, as the increased pressure on the spine worsens the nerve compression.
A sneeze forces the body into a momentary pressure spike, which can aggravate an already compromised disc, triggering pain that shoots down into the arms.
3. Muscle Strain
Sneezing involves the contraction of various muscles, including those in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. If you’ve strained or overused these muscles—perhaps from poor posture, exercise, or carrying heavy loads—sneezing can put further strain on them, causing pain in your arms. You often feel muscle pain after sneezing as a dull ache or discomfort that lingers for a short time after sneezing.
4. Shoulder Pain
Neck Pain-2
Sometimes, the pain in your arms after sneezing comes from your shoulders. The muscles in your shoulders are closely connected to those in your arms. If you have an issue like rotator cuff injury or shoulder impingement, sneezing could place extra stress on the shoulder muscles, and the discomfort may radiate down to your arms.
Types of Pain after Sneezing
The pain experienced in the arms after sneezing can vary in intensity and type. Some individuals report a sharp, shooting pain, while others feel a dull, throbbing sensation. The exact type of pain depends on the underlying cause and the area of the body involved.
Sharp pain: Often indicative of nerve involvement, a sharp pain shooting into the arms is common when a pinched nerve or herniated disc is involved.
Dull, aching pain: If muscle strain is the culprit, the pain is usually more of a dull ache. This pain can persist for a few minutes to hours after sneezing.
Radiating pain: When the source of the pain is in the neck or shoulders, the discomfort can radiate down into the arms. This type of pain is often associated with shoulder or upper spine issues.
Should You See a Pain Management Specialist?
If you frequently experience arm pain after sneezing, it might be time to consult a pain management specialist and what pain management doctors do is that they can assess your spine, muscles, and nerves to determine the root cause of the discomfort.Persistent or intense pain could indicate an underlying condition that requires professional evaluation and treatment.
A specialist will often begin by reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical examination. If they suspect a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or other spine-related conditions, they may recommend imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.
Managing Arm Pain after Sneezing
The treatment of arm pain after sneezing depends on the underlying cause. For issues like a pinched nerve or muscle strain, conservative treatments like physical therapy, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications are sufficient. However, if a herniated disc or more severe nerve compression is involved, more advanced treatments like spinal injections or even surgery may be required.
Preventive measures can also help reduce the likelihood of pain after sneezing. Maintaining good posture, engaging in exercises to strengthen the neck and upper back muscles, and avoiding heavy lifting can all reduce the strain on your spine and surrounding muscles.
Conclusion
Sneezing can trigger unexpected and unpleasant arm pain, which often stems from problems in the spine, nerves, or muscles. Although occasional discomfort might not seem concerning, you should not ignore frequent or severe pain. If you find yourself consistently asking, “Why does my body hurt when I sneeze?” it’s time to consult a pain management specialist. Specialists in East Brunswick, such as those at No Pain NJ, can provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment options to address your symptoms and prevent further discomfort.
A pain management specialist in East Brunswick can help you identify whether a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or muscle strain is causing your pain. Effective treatments can help restore your comfort and prevent further injury. By understanding the mechanics of sneezing and how it affects your body, you can take proactive steps to manage and potentially eliminate arm pain caused by sneezing.