Re: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010427.html
Sometimes when I sneeze (I don’t hold it in), my upper arms and shoulders hurt and feel … “weird” for several seconds. Could this be related to the blood-pressure-increase phenomenon? Is it something I should talk to a doctor about?
I’m not a doctor, but if it’s something that concerns you, you should definitely speak to a physician. Are these very heavy sneezes?
Sounds like you’re pinching or yanking a nerve somewhere. Are there any tingling or pins-and-needle sensations? Do your arm muscles twitch?
Really, though, you’re not going to get it fixed here. See a doctor.
I get something like this too; a feeling of pressure and pain in my forearms after sneezing (although only if it’s a violent and unexpected sneeze).
I think it’s probably a local pressure thing caused by the displacement of blood - the muscles around the upper thorax contract violently, squeezing it out.
I don’t know if it’s the arteries or if it may be back-pressure in the veins causing all those little valves in there to snap shut.