What Causes A Sudden Onset Of Muscle Weakness And Burning Sensation In The Arm?

Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015

Question: I am 55 y/o female who just completed 200hr yoga teacher training (Ashtanga). I had been teaching Saturday classes (once a week) when someone stated that I was getting "cut". I thought that was odd since i had been in the gym training before using weights and now only did yoga. Long story short about 6 weeks ago I noticed this nickel size indentation with slight discoloration like a faint bruise. It also burns. Now it looks like it runs along the the anterior deltoid from the left shoulder ( I am right handed). It is about 1.5 inches when I extend my left arm across my chest. It looks more circular when arm is at rest. I had a massage therapist come to my class and she said "you shrunk your fascia". When I do a power yoga class or ashtanga I have a slight burning sensation with muscle fatigue return to my arm. What sort of treatment should I seek?

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you may need further investigation

Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have read your query.
you may be having patial muscle or tendon tear.
I will advise you clinical examination and further investigation like ULTRASOUND AND MRI.
Till time physiotherapy like ten and matrix may help you.
medication like tendocare may help you. You can start tab consulting your doctor. I hope I have answered your questions. If you have further questions please feel free to contact us. I will be happy to answer. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (8 minutes later)

So can I continue to do power or ashtanga based yoga to keep from muscle atrophy setting in? Is this making it worse? I am a nurse and have been a reviewer for many years and thought this might have been a possibility but I really have not noticed any loss of strength in my arms. I do have muscle fasciculations around the area.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

If there is muscle/tendon tear confirmed on investigation then you should hold your yoga stretches.
If there is no tear on investigation then you can do yoga.

Muscle fasciculation can be due nerve irritation or central [brain] impulses.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. If you are satisfied with answer do not hesitate to rate this answer at end of discussion.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar