Volleyball player forearm pain/tightness/cramp?

Question

I am a volleyball player. My volleyball season started back up 3 weeks ago, and since then I have been playing every day for several hours a day. About 3 days ago, my right forearm began to hurt, and today it is worse than it has ever been. It is a funny feeling, kind of like writers cramp that spreads all the way to my elbow. It feels more like a bad cramp than a strained or pulled muscle. The pain spreads from my forearm all the way down to my finger tips. My fingers feel kind of stiff and weak, although I have no trouble makeing a fist. Moving my fingers makes the pain slightly worse. I have been playing volleyball for 3 years and this has never happened. Does anyone know what could be wrong with my arm? Please, Please, Please, Please, if you know of any stretches that might help, PLEASE tell me!!! I CANNOT miss volleyball! I have been stretching the muscle by simple bending my wrist back, and it seems to help for a few minutes, and loosens up my fingers.

I am 15 years old.

Answer 1

I once had similar pain.  I finally attributed it to sleeping on my arm and cuting off circulation.  eventually it went away, but I think that playing (spiking) made the pain last longer and hurt more.

Similar but not exact.  If you are afraid to approach your coach, go see the coach or trainer or medic for one of the other sports teams.  But talk to someone who deals with sports injuries.

Answer 2

I would suggest that you go to see a family doctor and/or a "GOOD chiropractor"... some chiropractors only want to "see you again", but you need someone who is really experienced.

Taking some days off, and putting warm towel on your forearm could help. You only want to use ice when your forearm is swelling, when no swelling or swelling is over, you want to warm it up to help blood circulation.

Three years' of playing should be long enough to have you experience all kinds of pains, if not injuries. If this pain is so bothering you, don't ignore it. There is no reason to postpone seeing a doctor... I understand volleyball could be like a secondary career for you, so you need to take care of your body more carefully.

Answer 3

I agree with the pinched nerve assessment.  Have you tried taking ibuprofen or naproxen?  The problem might not even actually be in your arm, but in your neck.  When we play we have our heads always stretched upward and it puts a strain on our vertabrae.  Try ice/heat therapy on your neck and be sure to stretch before practice/games (your neck).  Head rotations and trying to touch your shoulder blade with the opposite arm are good starts for stretching these areas.

Answer 4

sounds like you might need to take a few days off vollyball and maybe you pinched a nerve.

Tell the coach, or see a doc.