Pulled Arm Muscles

Anatomy and Description

The arm and forearm consist of the segment between the shoulder and the wrist, and contains several muscles that have the possibility of being injured. Any of the muscles in the arm have the potential to be pulled, but a few of them are more likely to be injured than others, and some damaged muscles are more detrimental than to others in the arm.

There are five major muscles in the human arm, all of which work together to help the arm move. The deltoid muscle is responsible for abducting the arm, and it aids in general flexion and extension of the entire arm. The triceps brachii is the muscle in the back of the arm responsible for extending the forearm. The brachialis and the brachioradialis are closely located and often appear as though they are one muscle instead of two, and they are both responsible for flexion of the forearm. The biceps brachii is the most important muscle in the arm and it is responsible for flexion of the forearm as well as supination, or rotation of the hand.

Causes of Injury

The most common cause of injury with the muscles in the arm is due to excessive work or strain on one or more muscles in the arm. In some cases, as with most other muscles, small tears in the muscle fibers can lead to damages or further tearing if the muscle is not rested. Damage to the muscles in the arm can be caused from a single incident or a prolonged strain, both having similar effects.

One type of injury that is common with the biceps brachii muscle is eccentric muscle contraction during weight lifting. Eccentric muscle contraction occurs when the external resistance is greater than the force applied by the bicep, and the muscle is then forced to lengthen as it contracts. This is common with the downward motion of a barbell curl, and can cause the bicep to snap in extreme cases.

Common Activities Causing Injury

There are a wide variety of common daily activities that can cause injury to the arm muscles. Simple activities such as yard work and moving boxes or furniture can pull a muscle in the arm, and is often without a second thought. People seldom think about housework being able to cause injury, but if a muscle gets stretched beyond its limits repetitively, injury can occur.

Lifting heavy weights is one of the easiest ways to injure a muscle, as often the weight is too heavy or the repetition is too high for the muscle to handle. Sports like wrestling and football are also notorious for causing injury to the muscles of the arm, especially the deltoid, biceps and triceps. Force gets put upon these muscles quickly during contact, and they have a tendency to tear and snap.

Treatment and Recovery

The treatment and recovery for the triceps muscle are similar to most muscles in the body, in which rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and heat are advised to help with rehabilitation. Typically small, gradual movements are suggested to help the muscle return to its normal level of functionality. Most of the time, a triceps muscle is just stretched and minor tears occur, but in some cases, medical attention and treatment may be necessary depending on the severity of the injury.

Because injury to the bicep can be severe in some cases, the treatment for a torn bicep is first rest and relaxation of the muscle. Other things such as heat and ice can be applied for discomfort, but in terms of rehabilitation and restoration of proper movement, physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of the two are often needed so as to assure the muscle will be healthy in the future.

Prevention of Future Injury

While nothing can guarantee that a muscle will not be re-injured, there are steps and precautions a person can take to keep the muscles guarded. Warming up and stretching is one of the most important things to do before performing any exercise or strenuous task. Avoiding extreme lifting until the muscles are properly built is crucial, and this can be done by starting small and gradually adding weight over time. It is also important to rest when injured instead of trying to push through the pain, as it will only cause further damage.