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How should I lift weights to get better at arm Wrestling?

Help me get rid of these muscle cramps!

  • For the past few nights I've been waking up with horrible muscle cramps in my upper arm - it feels like it's happening in the area where my deltoid connects to my bicep. It feels like a charlie horse in my arm - except I can't make it stop by "stretching". Does anyone have any tips on how to make reoccurring episodes of muscle cramps go away? The pain starts at the top of the arm and radiates down through my entire arm. I also get joint pain in my elbow and my wrist. I have tried all sorts of different positions and movements with my arm and NOTHING makes the pain go away. The pain can get really really bad and lasts for hours/the whole day. On Friday I was in tears for a while because it was so bad. It feels like a migraine in my arm. I don't know how else to explain it. I've tried cold packs/hot packs/etc, nothing helps. I went to the doctor and they gave me 600mg ibuprofen, which sort of helps (but doesn't make the pain go away completely) and oxycodone for sleeping, because I have had sleepless nights. I can't take the oxycodone during the day because it knocks me out. And honestly, I really don't want to take any. I used it one night when the pain was just horrible. Full disclosure: I lift heavy weights and I suspect the muscle cramps are related. So, what should I be doing to prevent these cramps? Do I need to stretch more (and if so, how do I stretch my inner deltoid/upper bicep area)? Do I need to eat more bananas? Do I need to drink more water? Is this something a chiropractor can help me with? I am at my wits end. I have no idea how to stop the cramps and how long they are going to last each time they start. Right now I've been in pain since 4am and it's driving me crazy.

  • Answer:

    Potassium, hydration, and rest would be my first line of attack. Then a massage therapist who specializes in sports injuries.

carmel at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

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Those don't sound like muscle cramps- they sound like nerve pain. Possibly you've irritated a nerve in your shoulder, in which case you should definitely let it rest and heal. But probably see another doctor.

thewumpusisdead

Can you take a break from doing your heavy weight lifting and let whatever you've damaged heal? I had chronic shoulder issues, a lot of pain etc. Working with a physiotherapist did nothing to help at all, and massage never did any good, but then I started working with an athletic therapist. THAT helped tremendously and within 6 weeks or so I had no shoulder pain at all and I got in to the best shape of my life. Highly suggest finding an athletic therapist to work with.

PuppetMcSockerson

Try progressive muscle relaxation (there are recordings available online, you'll have to pick one with a voice/pace/etc that you like).

bilabial

In addition to what Specklet said. I'd add magnesium, calcium (and D3 which helps with absorption) and up the amount of water I was drinking. And, if you're vegetarian more sodium.

redindiaink

Potassium and Quinine, i.e. bananas, and Gin and Tonic.

445supermag

Re-reading this makes me think thewumpusisdead is right: "It feels like a migraine in my arm." Sounds like nerve pain. Go to another doctor.

Specklet

Nerve pain sounds possible - when my muscles cramp I can usually see it happening, but I haven't been able to actually SEE any physical muscle cramps, and stretching doesn't help. I guess I will definitely have to lay off the weights for a while.

carmel

I had pain in that area and my GP gave me a prescription for physical therapy. Actually, scratch that, my GP referred me to an orthopedist who prescribed PT. I recommend that chain of events. In my case the pain was caused by a huge imbalance of strength in my rotator cuff muscles, the result of training the compound lifts to the exclusion of isolation movements. So... something to think about. After a lot of PT (which was actually pretty fun because I worked with a PT at a gym instead of through a PT service) the problem went away and I was able to lift heavy again without painkillers or worry. So... good luck!

telegraph

Trying more salt wouldn't hurt, if you've been sweating more than usual.

endurance

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