Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 1/5/2008

Question
DEAR DR. NEWHART....I HAVE HAD PAIN LT. NECK, LT. SHOULDER, AND SOME TURNING NECK TO RT.  TODAY I HAD MY 2ND ADJUSTMENT.  SINCE I HAVE STARTED THESE ADJUSTMENTS, I HAVE HAD TWO EPISODES OF TEMPORARY NUMBNESS ON SURFACE OF RT. THUMB.  X-RAYS SHOWED SOME DEGENERATION AROUND C-6/7 DISK AREA, WITH NOT MUCH CUSHIONING OR SPACING BETWEEN DISK.  THE ORTHO DR. SAID IT WAS DUE TO OSTEOARTHRITIS.  AM I HARMING THE NERVE BY HAVING THESE ADJUSTMENTS?  I WONDER, BECAUSE THIS NUMBNESS OF THE THUMB HAD NOT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ADJUSTMENTS.  THANKS   FESTCLASS@AOL.COM

Answer
First, I would like to apologize for the lateness of my reply.  I was on vacation, and forgot to set an away message.  To answer the question, you should not have numbness with an adjustment.  Are the adjustment the rotational type?  If so, You may want to check with your chiro. to see if he can do the Pierce technique, as this may be more beneficial to you, and less stressful to the body.