Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 10/12/2008

Question
Hi, I have had on-and-off mild to moderate tingling in my hands and feet for the past three years. At the onset of these symptoms I had various nerve tests and a brain and cervical spine MRI ordered by a neurologist, all with normal results. The MRI only noted an "annual bulge at C6-C7 and a small anterior annular bulge at C5-6". I have seen two different chiropractors over the years who adjusted me regularly, but the tingling continues as before, getting a little better, then reoccurring again, without a specific pattern. Now the tingling has shifted to my right upper arm and my right shoulder blade - with less tingling in the hands - and the tingling in my feet has shifted to my lower legs and knee area.
I eat well, and I exercise, using the elliptical machine for about 30 minutes twice a week, and lifting weights twice a week for about 20 minutes. I don't know if there is any connection to the latter or if there is anything else that could cause this continued tingling that nobody seems to be able to help me with. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you very much for your time!

Answer
mild to moderate tingling in my hands and feet for the past three years ,

Hello Nicola,

Sorry to hear of the tingling, with no accurate diagnosis or treatment.

You mention "...various nerve tests and a brain and cervical spine MRI ordered by a neurologist, all with normal results...", certainly looking at the nervous system is a priority.  Numbness, tingling, burning, these are often words used to describe a nerve type problem.

Seems these are within normal ranges.  I would also recommend blood tests to check you metabolically - a CBC with differential, SMA 24, hemoglobin A-1-C.... something along these lines.  Hopefully, as part of your workup , screening blood and urine tests have been performed
and also come up within normal limits.  Just a thought, but I would check for diabetes through the above blood tests, and just get an idea on your health through blood tests.

If all of the tests are 'normal', I would still recommend a particular type of Chiropractic.  Doctors of Chiropractic also have 'specialties' - similar to medical doctors.  Additional education and credentials can be earned in: sports injuries ( like me- I have a DACBSP), orthopedics, radiology, nutrition, pediatrics, and neurology.  For your 'tough to solve' complaints; I would recommend a board certified Chiropractic Neurologist.

See these websites:

http://www.Lifechangingcare.com   ,  http://www.acnb.org/  , http://www.carrickinstitute.org/ .

I might also be interested (if not the above) in an upper cervical chiropractor:  http://www.nucca.org/ .

I do think Chiropractic properly applied will help you.  I hope you have had COMPLETE physical evaluations including blood tests.

Some information I hand out in my Staten Island Chiropractic office:

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“Pinched  Nerve”   ( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis )
Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  ‘pinched nerve’,  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘pinched nerve’.  

Numbness, tingling, burning pains can all be described by the sufferers of 'pinched nerves'.

Very often -  the true    c a u s e   of  the pinched nerve, pain or numbness  in the:    neck and/ or  shoulder  and/ or  arm  and/ or  hand;   pain in the back and/ or   buttock/ hip/ leg/ knee/ foot -  is a misalignment,  a  ‘kink’ in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

      Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

      Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

      Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

      Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

      Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.

         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine
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I hope this helps.  Do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com  

http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thank you, good luck, and I wish you good health naturally,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com                (email newsletter)
http://www.DocDolan.net
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info