5 ways a physical therapist can help you heal a sprained arm

Getting injured can be scary, especially when it involves something as crucial as your arm. Whether you got hurt while playing sports, lifting something heavy or you just had an accident, an arm injury can leave you feeling unsure and worried. You may be trying to figure out what exactly is wrong. Could it be a sprain, strain or break? Each type of injury affects different parts of your arm and requires different treatments. Let’s break down these three common injuries to help you understand what may be going on and how you can take care of yourself.

Sprain vs. strain vs. break: Understanding the differences

When you injure your arm, it can be difficult to tell if it’s a sprain, strain or break. Here’s how they differ:

• Sprain — A sprain happens when a ligament, a tough band of tissue that connects the bones, is stretched or torn. Sprains can be caused by a sudden twisting or wrenching motion. Symptoms of a sprain include:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limited movement
• Strain — A strain involves the overstretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon. A tendon is a tough band of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Strains are typically caused by overuse or sudden exertion. Strain symptoms can include:
• Pain
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness
• Swelling
• Break — A break, also known as a fracture, happens when a bone is cracked or broken. Breaks can be caused by a direct blow, a fall or excessive force. Symptoms of a break include:
• Severe pain
• Deformity
• Inability to move
• Swelling 
• Bruising

How is an arm injury diagnosed?

If you’re not sure if your arm injury is a sprain, strain or break, it’s important to seek medical attention. A health care provider can diagnose the issue and recommend the best treatment approach. To diagnose the issue with your arm, your health care provider will do an exam involving:

• Symptom check — Your health care provider will check your symptoms to determine if you are experiencing a sprain, strain or break in your arm. Some symptoms overlap but some are unique to each condition. They will also ask about how you were injured. 
• Physical exam — Your health care provider will examine your affected arm for signs of each condition. They will check for:
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Range of motion
• Deformity
• Imaging tests — If they suspect a fracture, your health care provider will request imaging tests. They may also do these tests to rule out a fracture in addition to a sprain or strain. Imaging testing used to diagnose arm conditions includes:
• X-ray — An X-ray is the most common test to diagnose a fracture. X-rays can show if a bone is broken and the type of fracture. 
• MRI — An MRI may be used to see detailed images of the ligaments, tendons or muscles to confirm the extent of the injury. It may also be used to check for soft tissue damage if there’s a concern accompanying a break or if X-rays don’t provide enough information. 
• Ultrasound — An ultrasound can help the examiner visualize the soft tissue to confirm a sprain or strain. 
• CT scan — In complex cases, a CT scan may be used for a more detailed image of the bone. 

Once a diagnosis is made, your health care provider can recommend the best treatment to help you heal and get back to your normal activities. 

How a physical therapist can help heal a sprained arm

If you’re diagnosed with a sprained arm, you may be recommended to go to physical therapy to help your recovery. Your physical therapist will use various techniques to help heal your sprained arm, each technique chosen to address different aspects of your recovery. They’ll do a thorough physical evaluation of your arm and create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs to help you recover as quickly and effectively as possible. With their guidance, you’ll be able to manage pain, improve movement and get back to your daily activities. Your treatment plan may involve a combination of the following techniques:

• Manual therapy — Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to help restore the normal movement patterns of your arm. These techniques can help alleviate stiffness and improve flexibility, making it easier for you to move your arm without pain. Here are some manual therapy techniques your physical therapist may use:
• Joint mobilization — Your physical therapist will apply gentle, controlled movements to your arm joints. By carefully moving your joints through their natural range of motion, it can help restore movement. This can be helpful if the sprain has caused stiffness or limited range of motion due to the injury or need for immobilization.
• Soft tissue mobilization — Your physical therapist will use their hands to apply pressure and perform various strokes on the affected soft tissue in your arm. This can help reduce swelling and improve circulation, as well as help clear out excess fluid and inflammation. It’s also intended to release tightness and soreness in the surrounding muscles and tendons, thereby alleviating pain. 
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) — IASTM uses specialized tools to treat soft tissue issues. The Graston Technique® is a specialized form of IASTM that uses specially designed stainless steel tools to detect and treat areas of scar tissue and adhesions. Your physical therapist will use the tools to gently scrape the skin over the affected area to help break up scar tissue and reduce inflammation. This can help stimulate blood flow to promote healing, reduce pain and improve function. 
• Electrical stimulation — Your physical therapist will place electrodes on the skin around the affected area. These electrodes deliver low-level electrical currents to the muscles and tissue, helping block pain signals from reaching your brain, which can provide pain relief. Electrical stimulation can also help activate and strengthen muscles around the affected area. 
• Dry needling — Dry needling is a technique used by certified practitioners. Your certified physical therapist will insert thin, sterile needles into specific trigger points or muscle knots in the affected area of your arm. The needles can help release muscle tension and reduce pain. It can help improve blood flow to the injured area, which can promote healing and reduce inflammation. 
• Cupping — Cupping is an alternative physical therapy approach that involves your physical therapist placing special cups on the skin to create suction. The suction from the cups can help improve blood flow to the injured area, which can help reduce swelling and promote healing. In addition, the cups can help relax tight muscles and alleviate pain. Cupping may also help release toxins from the body that are contributing to pain and inflammation. 
• Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises are a set of specific movements and stretches designed to address the needs of the injured area. These exercises are tailored to your individual condition and may be done in the clinic during your sessions or at home to help boost the effectiveness of other physical therapy techniques. These exercises are intended to:
• Strengthen muscles — Targeted exercises can help build strength in the muscles around the sprain, providing you with better support and stability for the arm. 
• Improve flexibility — Stretching exercises can improve flexibility and restore normal function of the affected joint. They can also help prevent stiffness. 
• Restore function — By improving strength and flexibility, therapeutic exercises can help you return to your regular activities with less pain and greater ease. 

Dealing with a sprained arm can be challenging, but with the right approach and support, you can recover effectively. Patience and consistency are key during recovery, and with the support of your physical therapist, you can be on your way to recovery and a healthier, more resilient arm. 

Alliance PTP can help find expert physical therapists near you to address sprained arm pain

You probably don’t have to go as far as you think to get help with your sprained arm. After all, Alliance Physical Therapy Partners has practices across the country where you can find the physical therapy you need. 

And if there isn’t one near you, don’t worry! We also offer highly effective and affordable virtual care in nearly every U.S. state.

So, don’t keep letting your symptoms affect your day-to-day life. Get in touch with our team today so we can help you find the physical therapy that’s right for you.