Expert: Prof. Dr. B.K. Singh - 2/28/2009

Question
I had a cervical fusion at c-5/c-6 14 years ago.  Recently I had very strong Carpel Tunnel symptoms in my right arm and an EMG test confirmed serious nerve compression.  I also advised my doctor that I had shooting pain in the arm that was similar to pain I had 14 years ago before the fusion surgery.  I had the standard CTS surgery on December 22nd, and nearly all of the numbness in my fingers and discomfort from the Carpel Tunnel problem has gone.

I have continued to have the shooting pains that go the length of my right arm - but do not go into my hand or fingers.  My neuro-surgeon cannot find a reason for the arm shooting pains in a recent cervical MRI and he has examined me carefully to try to determine the cause of the pain.  

I understand the concept of "referred pain", however, without moving any other part of my body while standing up straight, if I turn my head slowly to the left about 45 degrees, I get the exact electrical feeling shooting pain down my arm EVERY time.

Since the neuro-surgeon appears to find no significance that turning my head means that I have some sort of cervical spine disk problem - or at least none that he can diagnose or repair, is there a reasonable chance that an acupuncturist can help me eliminate the shooting pains in my arm?  Friends tell me that acupuncture is very successful at relieving pain.  My thanks for your thoughts.

Answer
In my opinion based on personal experience while treating many patients with almost same complaints, you have some nerve pressure points exerted during certain postural movement. Unfortunately some times these minor pressure points may not be revealed in presently available diagnostic procedures unless they show some significant pathological lesion. You may also have some nerve inflammation due to the constant irritation at certain point which further get aggravated by the slightest pressure during certain movements. I'm sure you will be helped by acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture will help in releasing pressure point as well as the inflammation thus providing relief in pain. During and after acupuncture treatment certain yoga exercises will be of great help especially in avoiding relapses. Kindly find an expert in you area who has enough experience in this field and also can recommend and teach you the specific yoga exercise in you case.