Question
My right arm begins to really ache whenever I am using it in a raised position, such as using the hair dryer, or doing something that requires me to raise my arms above my head.  The left arm particularly gets weak and aches.  I have no numbness or tingling. It subsides within a minute after I bring my arms down. It's a rather debilitating ache (meaning I have to stop what I'm doing)and makes the arm weak. I am 73 years of age and otherwise in pretty good physical health.  I have no trouble lifting something up and carrying heavy loads. I do sleep on my sides mostly and not on my back.
Thanks for any clues.  LB

Answer
Lola,

The aching sounds like muscle fatigue -- either from muscular tensions from below the shoulder that interfere with lifting or from decreased circulation, or both.

A practical action you can take is to do a short-term program to improve flexibility.

I recommend a program that eliminates residual muscular tensions and improves movement:  The Cat Stretch (Overcoming the Myth of Aging) at http://www.somatics.com/page7.htm  It's a program I recorded, developed by Thomas Hanna, Ph.D.

By the way, it's not a case of "use it or lose it"; it's a case of overactivity in inadvertent actions that interfere with what we mean to do.