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Acupuncture/Arm and hand weakness, nerve damage

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Expert: - 9/8/2011


Question
I am curious to know if you think that acupuncture could help nerve damage in hand, fingers and arm caused from a ruptured disc.  I am now having physical therapy.  I'm told it will take a long time for recovery.  My index finger and thumb do not have movement in the top joint, and I am unable to lift my little finger, plus the weakness in my arm and wrist.

Thank you for any information you can give.

Answer
Dear Judy -
I assume that most likely the disc problem was at the C5-6 levels.  It is correct that these situations have a relatively long recovery time.  In general terms, since you are not in front of me for examination, acupuncture can sometimes be very useful as part of the therapeutic treatment for similar conditions.  Often, the problem is made worse by spasm in shoulder and neck muscles.  An experienced practitioner can determine exactly where.  Healing is assisted when the muscles are relaxed allowing greater blood circulation in the injured area.  Also, reduced spasm decreases any pressure on the nerves by adjoining bone.  It is sometimes also the case that the lateral scalene muscles will be in spasm and will pull the first rib against nerves as they travel from the cervical area into the arm; acupuncture can be useful for this.  I encourage you to have a consult with an acupuncturist who has experience treating cervical nerve root impingement and who is knowledgeable about the use of hua tou jia ji points in the neck.  You should, of course, continue with the physical therapy.

I wish you well - - -

Mike Zanoni
Honolulu

Acupuncture

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Michael M. Zanoni, MS, LAc

Expertise

I am knowledgeable about severe and chronic pain from musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, especially trauma, headache, and fibromyalgia. I can provide guidance that will assist healing and recovery after illness or surgery. I have a particular interest in long-term chronic conditions that are becoming progressively worse or intermittently severe (such as viral hepatitis, Crohn's, or Takayasu syndrome.) I have extensive experience treating endocrine disorders, such as diabetes or thyroid problems, where the primary condition is being monitored by a Western-trained physician, and cancer where there are specific treatment goals other than cure (e.g., decrease of pain; reduction of side effects of radiation and chemotherapy; lessening of edema; palliative treatment of associated conditions.) I do not treat or answer questions about infertility, ALS, or senile dementia.

Experience

I have practiced Oriental medicine for over fourteen years in a variety of settings. Much of my practice has centered around a busy clinic specializing in severe long-term chronic pain conditions and palliative care. For several years I worked in a hospice program. I also established a non-profit community clinic providing care to under-served and homeless patients. My work has found me in an HIV clinic in San Francisco, a busy private practice in Oregon, to traveling on muddy 4-wheel drive roads to see dying patients. I now teach acupuncture and Oriental medicine at a school in Hawaii.

Education/Credentials
My training was at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco where I received a master’s degree in Chinese Medicine. I have current board certifications in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbology from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I also have certifications in Chinese tui na bodywork, Physical Rehabilitation Training, and biofeedback. I am licensed to practice acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. I also have BA, MS, and PhD degrees in subjects not directly related to Oriental medicine.

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