Can Sitting At A Desk Cause Arm Pain?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can sitting at a desk cause ? Without proper computer set-up and use, there are many injuries that may result.

Tendonitis is the most common problem, involving tendon inflammation and localized pain in the elbow, forearm, wrist or hand

. Bad posture can cause fatigue, muscle strain, and, in later stages, pain.

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Can working at a desk cause arm pain?

“If your keyboard and mouse are too high, it can cause you to scrunch your shoulders upwards and flex your elbows above a 90 degree angle. These adjustments force your shoulder and arm muscles to work much harder, leading to faster muscle fatigue and ultimately resulting in neck, arm and/or wrist pain.”

Can sitting posture cause arm pain?


Slouching, hunching, sliding down when seated, and other seemingly harmless positions ultimately contribute to pinching and shoulder impingement syndrome over time

. This can result in inflammation and swelling of the supraspinatus tendon or subacromial bursa, which causes a painful sensation in the shoulder area.

Can sitting at a desk cause rotator cuff pain?


Working at a desk can create a change in balance to the shoulder, resulting in pain in that area.

How do you treat a mouse arm?

  1. Taking anti-inflammatory medication.
  2. Applying heat or ice packs.
  3. Wearing Supports/Braces such as the Incrediwear wrist sleeve, gloves, shoulder brace, elbow sleeve or arm sleeve.
  4. Physical therapy.
  5. Steroid injections.

What is mouse arm syndrome?

Mouse Arm Syndrome is

a condition that affects the hand, wrist and shoulder that normally occurs in desk workers that are subject to repetitive strain using the mouse and keyboard

. A syndrome is a collection of symptoms, Mouse Arm Syndrome symptoms may include: Pain in the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.

How do I relieve arm pain from my computer?


Use a foam pad or towel in front of your keyboard to rest your wrists and forearms while you're not typing

. Because you want your arms free to move your hands around the keyboard while typing, you should only use armrests on your chair when you're not typing.

What is mouse shoulder?

is

a condition that can create from using a mouse with the computer for long periods of time due to poor ergonomics or inappropriate arm or wrist support

.

Why Does My left arm hurt for days?

Small aches and pains in the left arm are often a normal part of aging. However, sudden or unusual left arm pain could be a sign of a more serious medical problem.

It might be a symptom of an injury that needs treating or, in the worst case, the effect of a heart attack

.

Why is the top of my left arm aching?

The causes of left arm pain can vary. The most well known of these is a

heart attack

. In this case, the arm pain may be accompanied by pain or a tightening sensation in your chest, pain in your back, neck, shoulder or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness or fatigue. Left arm pain can also be caused by angina.

What is shoulder pain that radiates down the arm?


Torn Rotator Cuff

This happens from injury or overuse. It can be a partial or complete tear in the tendons of the rotator cuff. Pain with a torn rotator cuff occurs in the front of the shoulder radiating down the side of the arm.

Can working on computer cause shoulder tendonitis?

In layman's terms,

Mouse Shoulder is a condition caused by using the computer without proper arm support

. In medical terms, it's considered a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The repetitive motions when using the computer can lead to shoulder, back, or neck pain.

Why does my shoulder and arm hurt when I sit?

The most common cause of right shoulder and arm pain is

an issue with your rotator cuff, such as tendinitis or bursitis

. Other potential causes include fractures, arthritis, and cervical radiculopathy.

What does RSI in arm feel like?


pain, which may feel like burning, aching or throbbing

. stiffness and weakness. tingling, pins-and-needles or numbness. muscle cramps.

Can you get tendonitis from computer mouse?


Computer elbow, or mouse elbow, is essentially the same condition as tennis elbow

in which the repetitive actions involved when working on a computer, such as the gripping and squeezing of a mouse and typing on a keyboard, causes muscle pain or tendon pain in your elbow.

Can typing cause upper arm pain?


Yes, that's pain from typing too much

! Poor posture and ergonomics can also contribute to this injury. You will usually feel the pain from the tendon connecting to the bone on the outside of your elbow or from the muscles on the outer part of your forearm. Sometimes, both parts of your arm can be painful.

Can carpal tunnel affect your whole arm?

You'll usually feel it worst in the thumb, index and middle fingers, but

sometimes it might feel like your whole hand is affected

. You may also have an ache running up your arm to the shoulder or neck. It can affect just one or both hands.

How do you tell if you're getting carpal tunnel?

The doctor will tell you to press the backs of your hands and fingers together with your wrists flexed and your fingers pointed down. You'll stay that way for a minute or two.

If your fingers tingle or get numb

, you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

How do you treat forearm tendonitis?


Icing the area to reduce inflammation and pain

. Putting a splint on the area to limit movement. Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce inflammation and pain.

How do I know if I have forearm tendonitis?

  1. warmth.
  2. weakness or loss of grip.
  3. throbbing or pulsing.
  4. burning.
  5. stiffness, often worse after sleeping.
  6. severe pain when attempting to use the wrist, elbow, or forearm.
  7. inability to bear weight on the forearm, wrist, or elbow.
  8. numbness in the wrist, hands, fingers, or elbow.

Can tennis elbow be caused by computer use?

But

people that work at computers all day are also at risk for developing tennis elbow

. These daily, often continual wrist and finger movements activate the forearm muscles. Repetitive use can lead to tennis elbow. One way of avoiding injury is by keeping your wrist in as close to a neutral position as possible.

How much of your arm should be on the desk?

Standing at a desk requires the desk be the correct height – your elbows should be bent to 90 degrees and

the desk should be set to the height of your forearms

. This means your shoulders are able to be in the relaxed position as your forearms rest on the desk.

Can sitting posture cause shoulder pain?

All too often, they are weaker than the muscles in the front of our body due to prolonged sitting, sedentary lifestyles, and frequent and extended use of phones and computers.

This change in balance to the shoulder and the resulting effect on posture keeps the rotator cuff from working well

.

How do I fix my computer shoulder?

Why does my shoulder hurt when sitting?


Bad posture or working habits, such as slouching at your desk, can make your shoulder problems worse

. Try these tips: When you're sitting down try to avoid leaning forwards and resting on your arms too much.

Can stress cause left arm discomfort?

If you're experiencing left arm pain,

anxiety could be the cause

. Anxiety can cause muscles in the arm to become tense, and that tension could lead to pain. Although muscle tension — sometimes the result of anxiety — is the most likely source of arm pain, it is not the only possible cause.

How do you know if left arm pain is not heart related?

Left arm pain — without chest pain —

may be a dull ache or a shooting pain

, and it may accompany other symptoms, such as headaches and muscle weakness. If the pain is severe or persistent, see a doctor. Seek emergency care if the pain results from trauma or if there are any symptoms of a stroke or heart attack.

How do I know if my arm pain is serious?

  1. Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest (this may signal a heart attack)
  2. An obvious deformity or protruding bone in your arm or wrist, especially if you have bleeding or other injuries.

Is left arm pain always heart related?

Why does my right arm have a dull ache?


As we age, tendons in the rotator cuff begin to wear down or tear

. If you have a job where you make overhead motions over and over, you can damage it, too. Symptoms range from a dull ache and weakness in your arm to severe, constant pain. If you suspect a rotator cuff injury, see your doctor.

When should I be concerned about shoulder and arm pain?

Call your health care provider if you have:

Shoulder pain with a fever, swelling, or redness

. Problems moving the shoulder. Pain for more than 2 to 4 weeks, even after home treatment.

Why does my right arm ache?

Can you get a rotator cuff injury from computer use?

The Rotator Cuff

Rotator cuff injuries can be the result of repetitive motion like throwing the ball or due to man-to-contact or falls.

For those who tackle a computer for hours, repetitive motions and overworking the muscles can also cause problems

.

How do you treat RSI in upper arm?

You may need to make some changes at work to prevent it flaring up again. You can

take over-the-counter painkillers and use heat and cold packs to manage your pain

. If you need to, you can see a physiotherapist or GP for further treatment. To find out more, see our sections on self-help and treatment for RSI above.

How do you diagnose a shoulder mouse?

Mouse Shoulder can present as

a pain over one side of the neck, spreading into the shoulder

. The pain is often described as “burning” or deep aching, and is associated with repeated or prolonged mouse use.

What does bicep tendonitis feel like?

According the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the common symptoms of biceps tendonitis include:

Pain or tenderness in the front of the shoulder, which worsens with overhead lifting or activity

. Pain or achiness that moves down the upper arm bone. An occasional snapping sound or sensation in the shoulder.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.