Just wondering if anyone else on here suffered this. I noticed recently and now trying to correct it, that I’ve been getting a pressure point on my right arm where it rests on the arm rest. This could be what’s been causing some problems with my picking hand. I read of a similar experience from another player who got carpol tunnel problems from gripping the arm rest too tight. I’m now trying to relax my arm a little more. I think it kind of just happened without me being aware I was doing it, but it always felt a bit bruised after practising. I’ve got quite skinny arms so that doesn’t help.
All in all, there is a heck of a lot physically and mentally you have to be aware of when playing banjo and probably the biggest is tension in the body. Relaxation is key but not always easy.
Banjo arm pressure point
While I have not had the problem, I have heard others speak of it, including Kristin Scott-Benson. She knows her way around the banjo. She endorses one particular product, so you gotta take it with a grain of salt.
https://banjolit.com/artists/
Others here have touted wooden armrests from Nechville.
https://nechville.com/accessories.php
Deering also sells one.
I cannot tell if one is better than another, but the common thread seems to be they ease your pain.
I think it would be worth your while to drop Jake an e-mail at Banjo Ben’s General Store & find out what he thinks.
I have the same problem that just showed up about 2 months ago. I’ve been playing 8 years and it appeared out of nowhere. I don’t bruise but I’ll have a big indentation on my forearm that hurts. Like you I blamed it on tension but I just don’t know. When I focus on tension what I noticed was my right shoulder raised in the air. So I drop my right shoulder and try to relax. Ain’t helped the forearm denting. I’m not sure what to do. I thought maybe it was my wrist angle and pinky anchor but I sent a picture to Ben and he said it looked fine. Maybe Ben or some of the seasoned pickers can help us. I sure hope so.
Yes, I’ve been thinking about trying a wooden arm rest. I guess it’s not so much bruised but like you say an indentation, but definitely a pressure point on the tendons which could long term effect my hand and fingers.
I find that having my left foot elevated helps a lot with the tension, especially on my back but also on the arm rest. hope that helps mate
I use a little wood block, 20cm tall
I never play standing up. When I practice at home I sit because what few jams I have been to everyone is always seated. I’m old enough I’ll never be lucky enough to play in a band so no use to stand up. Maybe the seated position puts more pressure on the forearm. I don’t know. Just doesn’t make sense after eight years all of a sudden it shows up.
I practiced about 4 hours yesterday and this morning it still hurts. That’s not a good sign
That’s an idea… I might give that a go. 
I’ve continously started to lift my arm a little while playing very slowly. I’ve noticed less pressure helps free up the motion to move the right hand forward and back towards the neck. I’ve thought about making a velcro arm band that could also cushion the pressure point.
I’ll try both.
Thanks Jono and Frank
I used to practice while sitting all the time, until I went back and looked at Ben’s instruction on “How To Hold the Banjo.”
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/banjo-boot-camp–overview-holding-and-strap-banjo/video/how-to-hold-a-banjo
Good posture is important, and there should not be any difference in the way your hands touch the banjo whether you are standing or sitting. Once I reviewed that, I started practicing (some of the time) standing up. Yes, it was awkward, and that told me I must have been practicing "mistakes’ when I was sitting.
I’m an old guy, and I will never be in a band that gets paid. But I might be at a jam session that’s one chair short, or a parking lot session where they might be three chairs short.
Did you ever see a British TV show called “Detectorists?” Our heroes were going to perform at an “open mic night” at the local pub, but mandolin player Lance always practiced sitting on a stool…so they had to do their show with him sitting on a stool.
You don’t want to be that guy (except on the show he discovered gold!)