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What that ‘electric shock’ in your arm is while weightlifting, and when to seek help

While lifting weights in the gym this week, I noticed a strange ‘electric shock’ feeling shooting up my arm. It wasn’t painful, but was a strange sensation I’d never felt before.

It happened once more and then stopped – and hasn’t occurred again since. If you’ve experienced it too, here’s what that bizarre feeling is, and when you need to seek medical help.

Fit, young African American woman working out with hand weights in a fitness gym.
Wasit up image of a fit, young African American woman working out with hand weights in a fitness gym. Credit: Mireya Acierto (Getty Images)

‘Electric shock’ while weightlifting

We spoke to physiotherapist Calum Fraser, who told The Focus the most common cause for that strange feeling is a pinched nerve.

“Experiencing an ‘electric shock’ sensation while weightlifting can be concerning. There are a few possible causes for this sensation, but pinched nerves are the most common,” he said.

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons, causing pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.

Pinched nerves can result from repetitive weightlifting exercises, particularly presses, deadlifts, and overhead lifts, which put stress on tendons and nerves, and usually indicate that you are exerting yourself too much

“Resting and preventing further injury recurrence are essential if you feel this way,” Fraser said. “Taking some time off and doing activities that do not require the use of the area of injury will help the nerve heal.”

When to seek medical help

When pinched nerves get enough rest, they often recover on their own. However, the physiotherapist revealed it’s crucial to visit a doctor for additional assessment and treatment if the pain is restricted to the same location or recurs frequently.

If a pinched nerve is painful, the NHS says to take paracetamol or ibuprofen, or use ibuprofen gel on your neck. You should also use a low, firm pillow, apply hot or cold packs to the area and try neck flexibility exercises.

They recommend seeing a medical professional if neck pain or stiffness does not go away after a few weeks, painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen have not worked or you have other symptoms, like pins and needles or a cold arm.

Heavy weight exercise.
Closeup side view of unrecognizable woman grabbing a dumbbell from a dumbbell rack. Shallow focus, toned image. Credit: gilaxia (Getty Images)

Another possible cause

“Another probable reason is a brachial plexus damage,” Fraser continued.

The brachial plexus is a collection of nerves that runs from your neck down to your upper chest and into your armpit. They regulate movement and sensation in your arms and hands.

When you lift weights and pull or stretch your arm too much, you run the risk of injuring your brachial plexus. This injury is most prevalent in vehicle collisions and contact sports, but it can also occur during heavy lifting sessions.

“Medications for pain control, corticosteroid creams, physical and occupational therapy, or braces and splints are examples of nonsurgical treatments that are frequently successful for mild brachial plexus injuries,” he said.

However, surgery is sometimes needed if the damage does not heal on its own.

Calum Fraser is a certified physiologist who completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Otago, New Zealand.