Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 2/13/2009

Question
I have pain in my left arm and numbness in the tips of my fingers especially in the tip of my thumb.When I'm driving my fingers go numb sometimes and my arm will ache and I have to drop my arm down beside me and do the snapping motion to return feeling to them.It's even more noticable at night when I am sleeping. I sleep on my stomach and when I turn my head to the left,it's like the muscles are stretching in my left arm and it hurts pretty bad. When I turn my head to the right the pain in my left arm goes away. Any ideas what this might be and how I should treat it? Gary

Answer
It sounds as if there is a pinch in one of the nerves of the brachial plexus (nerves that go into the arm).  When you drop it down or turn your head and get relief, it is a good indicator.  A good chiropractor should be able to assess and treat it, rehab it, and if there is a medical problem, refer you to the proper care