"I have been experiencing numbness and tingling down my arms into my fingers. It's worse in the morning and becoming more consistent. Any suggestions?" Recommendations:
Corrective Exercise
From your description it would be a good idea to get evaluated by a Physical Therapist to rule out the chance of there being a disc injury. It is also important to understand that our muscles develop what are called ‘Trigger Points’ from overuse and trauma. The muscles response to a trigger point is to shorten and tighten which can lead to imbalance, pain, injury, and even nerve impingement. In your particular case it is often that the neck muscles become short and tight placing pressure on the nerve plexus feeding into the arm. This nerve impingement can cause the numb sensation you are experiencing. So, first it would be in your best interest to see a Physical Therapist in order to rule out a disc injury and then to order the trigger point self treatment book, which will guide you through the proper technique for dealing with such an issue. It is also likely that there is some level of postural imbalance involved. Often times postural imbalance is the reason nerve impingement occurs so it’s ideal to be involved in a corrective exercise program in order to properly manage these types of issues.
You can find “The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook “ at: www.triggerpointbook.com/
Jasson Zurilgen
C.H.E.K Practitioner
Heroics
www.heroicsusa.com
Massage Therapy
Numbness down the arms, also called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be a relatively common issue for anyone exhibiting forward head and rounded shoulder posture, particularly for those who sit for long periods of time behind a desk/computer. Massage can be very effective in opening up the chest a frontal shoulder muscles and releasing trigger points and facial adhesions in the tissue that is blocking nerve intervention. Along with regular stretching and increased water intake, massage is a great way to address this disturbing sensation.
Guinevere Amadeo, LMP.
Massage Therapist, Reflexologist
Holistic Health Examiner
Chiropractic
When one experiences numbness and tingling it essentially means that your nerves are being irritated, compressed or chaffed by some sort of tissue. The tissues involved in aggravating these nerves can be tendons, cartilage, swelling or even bone. Unfortunately this type of symptom is often caused by something that occurs at a place other than the sight of the pain. I realize that what I just wrote may sound strange since for a long time health care providers have limited their search for problems to the involved area. However, in this case the neck region is where all the nerves that control the arms come from; specifically, from the fourth cervical vertebrae to the first thoracic vertebrae. This group of nerves originating from the neck is called the brachial plexus and these nerves control every aspect of what goes on with the arms including movement, immunity, blood supply, energy metabolism and, in your case, sensation. Due to our stressful lifestyles, these nerves can be irritated and damaged by what is known as a Subluxation. A Subluxation is an area of the spine that is not moving well which damages the nerves exiting the spine at that level causing things like pain, poor control of the shoulders and arms and a host of other dysfunctions. Simple tests at your Chiropractors office can determine if you indeed have Subluxations that may be affecting the nerves causing the numbness and tingling. Remember that the body is self healing and self regulating and it is the nervous system - including your brain, spinal cord and all the nerves that travel throughout your body- that controls healing and regulation. Making sure that it is healthy and functioning properly will secure the best possible chance to heal from anything!
Dr. Jason Penaluna
Chiropractor
Penaluna Chiropracitc Studio, PS
www.penalunachiropractic.com
Craniosacral Therapy
The relationship between your shoulders, arms, wrists, and neck provides many opportunities for this to occur, especially if the muscles in these areas become tight or inflamed. If this happens, they will in turn constrict the nerves that run beneath these muscles and can cause the tell-tale numbness and tingling. Unfortunately, this is pretty common.
With craniosacral therapy we relax the muscles that are compressing the nerves so they can function properly again. We can also restore proper flow of fluids to these structures. We can even pick up the arm and wrist and skillfully unwind the large bands of tissue that wrap around and within the hand, arm, shoulder, and neck. Opening up these tissues helps to renew sensation throughout the arms and relieve you of your symptoms.
Shawna Lendzion Harbin, LMP, CCSP
Massage Therapist and Certified Craniosacral Therapist
NoctiLuca Essential Wellness
http://www.noctilucaessentialwellness.com/
Medical Intuitive
In the 80’s and 90’s it was Carpal Tunnel for Secretaries and Writers. Now the Current similar issue is “Computer Mouse Arm”. When spending 20+ hours at the computer one may notice how they continually holding up your arm. If a muscle is continually flexed for a long time while the user is in a state of stress that motion will become very tight.
“Computer Mouse Arm” will be pain in the top of the forearm, bicep, top of the shoulder, and the area between the spine and upper shoulder. When these muscles get tight they can cut off the nerves to the hands causing tingling in the pinky and ring fingers.
Notice when your are working at your computer and see you are holding your arm up while it is doing no work. Become more conscious of this behavior and practice relaxing your arm while “Mousing”.
Jacob Caldwell, LMP
Medical Intuitive
www.StepsToEnlightenment.com
Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine
This can be addressed a few different ways with Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine. There are 12 major meridians or pathways of energy that run on both sides of the body. In Five-Element Acupuncture, we need to check if the flow on one side of a meridian is deficient or running in-excess comparatively to the other side. This can create one-sided issues including pain, loss of range-of-motion, numbness/tingling, etc. The diagnosis/treatment of this type of imbalance is fairly simply to explore and remedy. Traditional Chinese Medicine would look at it a little different. This would be diagnosed as Qi and Blood Stagnation in whatever meridian(s) goes through the affected area. Since TCM also takes into account Western science influences, with numbness/tingling we’d want to include treatment of the cervical spine. There are acupuncture points in-between and on either side of each vertebrae called Hua Tuo Jia Ji points that are commonly used for this sort of thing. Effective techniques would include standard acupuncture, electro-acupuncture (specific current through the needles to create physiological change), and cupping in and around the neck, shoulders, and down the affected arm(s). For more information on cupping go to - http://thezenofhealing.com/cupping/
David A. Tucker, MSAOM, L.Ac, LMP
The Zen of Healing
david@thezenofhealing.com
http://www.thezenofhealing.com
Although OMM contributors are professional healthcare providers, the information and advice published on OneMindMedical.blogspot.com is generalized and not intended to replace a thorough evaluation of your unique physical concerns. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician or applicable practitioner in all matters relating to your health, and particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on your part in response to the information provided in this web site is at the reader's discretion.
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