Could playing with a controller cause arm pain?

The last few weeks I picked up an Xbox controller for the PC and was playing games on my TV. It was a lot of fun, but I got pain under my right thumb and then in the arm halfway between the wrist and elbow. Since I've stopped playing with a controller the pain has gone away.

Am I just too old for long Mega Man 11 or other games with a controller? Playing with a mouse and keyboard has never given me any issues.

It *could*. I typically get hand cramps from playing mouse and keyboard. But that’s because of the position I sit in.

When I was younger I played the N64 and sat on the floor in front of the tv. My back hurt for like a week. But I eventually adjusted to sitting on the floor in front of the tv.

It just depends I guess. But certainly it’s possible.

I don’t think you’re too old for Mega man. Just give yourself some breaks in gameplay, and don’t bother trying to be “hardcore”. You’re arm will adjust in my view.

If you use a lot of those analog sticks then yes it could, I know I did.

Do you play with analog sticks on Mega Men 11? you can try other controllers like PS4 or other cheaper brands that look like PS controller - might help you changing the controller itself.

Do you lean on your elbow on either side while gaming? There's a nerve in the bottom of your elbow (the ulnar nerve) that runs down your forearm and into your hand. Not a doctor, but I just visited one regarding an elbow surgery I had a year ago and this came up.

Yes. It definitely can, especially if you didn't use controllers much in the past. Make sure to sit with your back straight and arms relaxed at your sides. Your body naturally wants tp hunch over, and that can cause problems. Might also be good to do some wrist stretches before and after, and keep gaming sessions short for now. It might sound funny, but any new activity may need time for muscles to adjust. Even the little ones in your hands.

@gerygo: Yes, I think I did. I'm also reaching for the triggers to switch between weapons and gears all the time.

It's funny I play a lot of tennis, do weights, and regular PC gaming and never had a problem. Maybe wrist warmups wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I got a Nintendo switch as a present with a regular size controller and I'm a bit afraid to play it since I don't want to get injured

Definitely. I've received all sorts of strains and soft tissue tension issues from controllers and improper mouse and keyboard use. Nothing seeming permanent, yet - the issues have always abated when I change my behavior. But still, not something to mess around with

Make sure you get up and stretch and just go for a walk and loosen your arms/wrists up a bit. If I sit around all day my back feels tight and sore.

It got nothing to do with sports IMO, you can do weights all the time but when I'll introduce you to a new type of exercise you'll find it hard to do (I train myself everyday)

So picking up a new controller and putting your finger in a new position (might be even uncomfortable one) for a long period of times might cause that.

Either change the control scheme which a lot of games do (a-c), pick a different controller or try to do shorter time of gaming with it until your body will get used to it.

I play Hades on controler and usually feel some pain in my right hand after a hectic session.
As you said, pain is gone after a few min when I stop playing.

@Maxpowers_32: It may depend on your posture.

If you’re virtually lying and your hands and arms are above your heart (I.e resting your hands on your stomach/chest) then your heart needs to work harder to pump blood to your hands.

When you’re sat on a chair with a mouse and keyboard, your hands and arms are below your heart level so it’s easier for blood to move around.