The nose attempts to expel objects or other foreign bodies when it sneezes, typically as a reaction to irritation. With few negative effects on the body, this can aid in the prevention and treatment of infections in the brain or respiratory system.
A sneeze, also known as sternutation in medicine, typically lasts a fraction of a second, after which you can resume your previous activity. But occasionally, sneezing can also result in other symptoms, such as severe arm pain that, if left untreated, can eventually impair arm function.
Why does sneezing make my arms hurt? The reasons include: pinched nerves, dislocated vertebra, herniated discs, muscle strain, and vertebral compression fractures.
Here’s the scoop.
Table of Contents
Is It Common For Sneezing To Cause Pain In My Arms?
Different people may experience different levels, locations, and frequencies of arm pain. Sometimes it will spread from the shoulders to the lower arms, while others may experience numbness and pain in the elbow. The discomfort could continue for several minutes after the sneeze or it could last as long as the sneeze itself, occasionally spreading to the hands.
Pain that appears in the chest is also possible, albeit less frequent. This is frequently related to cardiovascular disease, especially if it extends from the shoulder to the base of the neck and the fingers and is unrelated to sneezing. It’s possible that this and other pain reactions in the body are made worse by sneezing pain.
This pain may have a variety of causes, from minor to severe. Possible causes include:
- Attempting to stop or “hold in” a sneeze.
- Instability in the bones, which are shifting during a sneeze, can manifest as back and neck issues that predated the cough or sneeze. This may aggravate the nerves in people with bulging discs or other issues, resulting in discomfort.
- During a sneeze, upper body tension rises, contracting the muscles and possibly putting them under strain.
- Herniated discs leave nerves compressed and the motion of a sneeze can further this irritation.
- Additionally, pain from a compressed nerve can be brought on by a dislocated vertebra.
If the nerves are compressed, the act of sneezing itself can result in issues with the neck and spine. This may be particularly true if there has recently been a trauma, such as a car accident, or if there is already an injury.
Despite the fact that pain when sneezing is frequently normal, it could also be a symptom of another type of pain, such as an unrecognized injury that needs Marietta chiropractic care.
Is It Typical To Feel Pain In Your Body When You Sneeze?
Sneezing is typically uncomfortable, but it is not usually a cause for alarm. Your body uses sneezing to defend itself against viruses, allergens, and particulates from the environment or other sources.
Sneezing pain, on the other hand, may indicate a spinal injury or pinched nerve, two conditions that can be present in tandem with other symptoms. Consequently, if sneezing causes you pain, you should always visit a doctor.
Causes Of Arm Pain After Sneezing
Since the force of a sneeze can put the spine under temporary stress, the spine is usually the source of arm pain after sneezing. The vertebrae may be somewhat weakened or injured, or already existing injuries may worsen, irritating the nearby nerves. Pain may radiate to the arms if the impacted nerves have an attachment there. The common conditions listed below may contribute to this pain.
Pinched Nerves
The area of the body that the compressed nerve controls may experience pain, tingling, and numbness. Sneezing can suddenly move a nerve that is already compressed, causing more pain for a brief period of time or even inflaming the tissue surrounding the nerve for longer-lasting pain. A nerve that wasn’t already compressed could be compressed by the movement if enough bone or tissue shifts as a result of it.
Dislocated Vertebra
The spine is made up of a number of stacked vertebrae, or vertebral bones. One of these tiny bones can cause the entire spine to function improperly, affecting the nerves and causing pain throughout the body, if it is even slightly misaligned. The trauma from an accident or sports injury that results in a fracture is what typically triggers this dislocation.
Herniated Discs
A tiny, gel-like disc that separates each set of vertebrae acts as a shock-absorber and cushion between the bones. These discs are made of a hard outer shell and a jelly-like interior. The interior of the disc may leak into the nearby spinal canal and encroach on nearby nerves if it becomes displaced or damaged, producing pain. Herniated discs most often impact the lumbar spine and cause lower back pain, but it is possible for them to happen more near the arms.
Muscle Strain
When a muscle is stretched or torn, it becomes strained or pulled and causes some amount of pain in general. It can be challenging or painful to twist, lift, or use that muscle in any other way as a result of this, which typically happens after an accident or injury. A minor strain that did not hurt may manifest symptoms right after a sneeze because sneezing puts additional strain on the nerves and muscles.
Vertebral Compression Fractures
When a vertebral segment collapses, it causes a VCF, or vertebral compression fracture. People with the common bone-thinning disorder osteoporosis are more likely to experience this. Instead of falls or other accidents that might result in fractures for someone with stronger bones, people with serious forms of this condition may experience them as a result of a sneeze. You should only be concerned about a sneeze breaking a bone on its own if you think your bones are thin.
Dangers Of Arm Pain When Sneezing
Although some people find the brief forced eye closure uncomfortable, sneezing while driving is usually safe. The possibility of losing control of a vehicle is additionally feared when arm pain occurs while driving. This is due to the pain that sneezes can cause, which typically only lasts a few seconds and may briefly impair sensory and motor functions. Though it is uncommon for the pain to persist for long enough for this to be a concern, this time frame could theoretically be sufficient to result in a loss of control in a car. You may want to postpone driving until you can address the issue if you frequently and persistently experience arm pain after sneezing. See more about Why Does My Back Hurt When I Sneeze Causes
Why Do We Sneeze?
The body uses sneezing as a tool to remove debris from the nose. One of the body’s first lines of defense against pathogenic bacteria and viruses is sneezing.
The nose can become itchy or ticklish when pollen, dust, smoke, or other substances enter the nostril, which causes the body to sneeze in order to expel the material. Because the lining of your nose is so thin, even a slight tickle from these substances will cause your brain to receive an electric signal alerting it that it needs to clear your nose. The body then gets ready for the contraction after the brain signals that it’s time to sneeze. Within a few seconds, the eyes are typically forced closed, the tongue moves to the roof of the mouth, and your muscles tense.
Sternuation, the medical term for sneezing, is characterized by a powerful forceful expulsion of air, mucus, and water from the nose. They can also spread germs if they are there. Additionally, it has been discovered that sneezing serves as a kind of nasal environment reset.
Sneezing frequently is usually not a cause for concern for most people because it is usually related to an illness or allergies. In actuality, it could occasionally just be a routine. Sneezing has increased, and you’re worried, you can talk to your doctor about possible allergies or a condition called chronic rhinitis, in which the nasal cavity is inflamed. Sneezing is not dangerous in and of itself, even in these situations, even when it hurts.
Types Of Pain After Sneezing
Many people also mention that they experience numbness and pain, particularly in the elbow, after sneezing. Some people claim that their entire arm hurts after sneezing. In some circumstances, the shoulder may also be affected by the pain. The discomfort may change locations, such as from the palms to the fingers, and may go away quickly or linger for a few minutes. This is frequently a result of the way bones and muscles move during the quick movement brought on by sneezing.
Pain that radiates from the base of the neck to the fingers, pain accompanied by a tingling sensation in one or both arms, and other symptoms should be evaluated for a coronary illness as soon as possible.
Preventing Pain During A Sneeze
The best thing to do is to stand up as straight as you can, avoiding slouching or sitting, if you anticipate pain from an impending sneeze. Standing will lessen the force that a sneeze might have on your spinal discs.
Having your hands on a sturdy object like a table or countertop while standing and leaning forward has some advantages as well. This relieves even more pressure on the back muscles and spine, though the pressure on your arms may still hurt. As an alternative, you might try to stand straight up against a wall with a cushion on your lower back.
It is also important to never try to stop or “hold in” a sneeze, as this can cause the body to become tighter and may even lead to sinus injuries. This includes sneezing while your mouth is closed or your eyes are open. While either option is feasible, it is preferable to let the sneeze reflexes occur naturally to prevent any further agitating of the body.
What If Sneezing Hurts My Back Or Chest?
The same mechanics that cause pain in the spine during a sneeze may also cause pain in other areas of the body. Different nerves that send signals to other body parts may be affected depending on where the spine is impacted. Sneezing-related back pain may have slightly different underlying causes than sneezing-related arm pain, but both conditions should be treated by seeking medical attention.
Chest pain after sneezing may result from similar problems, but it is more likely to be associated with cardiovascular disease than spinal problems. This is particularly true if the pain travels from the shoulder to the base of the neck, then to the fingers. Since this pain is not brought on by sneezing, a doctor should be consulted right away. This is not always the reason, though, as sneezing can also make other bodily reactions worse.
Rib dislocation is another frequent issue that hurts the upper torso and chest. Occasionally, a simple sneeze is sufficient to actually separate or dislocate a rib. This usually results in chronic pain that needs medical attention or chiropractic adjustments to treat.
When To See A Doctor?
If your arms hurt every time you sneeze or if they hurt on a regular basis, it’s time to see a doctor. Sneezing while experiencing arm pain may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.
You should seek help from a doctor if you experience:
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or fingertips
- You have arm pain that is not going away when you rest it
- You have persistent pain even at rest
- Swelling anywhere on your arm
- Pain that returns when you do various activities
- Arm pain while sneezing or coughing
Emergency care may be required in some instances of arm pain while sneezing. For instance, a heart condition might be the cause of some arm pain while sneezing.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have:
- Sudden pain down your left arm, shortness of breath, nausea, chest pressure, or back pain; this could be a sign of a heart attack
- Deformity of your arm
- A broken bone
- A deep cut or wound
- Severe arm pain
- Loss of pulse or coolness of your arm
- Signs of an infection such as a fever or discharge around a wound
Conclusion
When the nose comes into contact with irritants like allergens, air pollutants, or viruses, sneezing is a normal reaction. Sneezing can cause arm pain for some people. It is not a typical response and typically indicates an underlying issue, such as a pinched nerve, arm injury, or spinal problems.
Depending on the person and the cause of the arm pain, sneezing pain can be felt in the arms in a variety of ways. Medications to relieve pain or to lessen the allergies that cause sneezing may be used as treatments for arm pain while sneezing.
You shouldn’t disregard arm pain from sneezing. We can quickly ascertain the cause of your arm pain when you sneeze by consulting a DrHouse online doctor, and we can recommend effective pain relief measures.
Many thanks for reading.