Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 4/5/2009

Question
I am a  49 y/o male in top physical condition. I am a muscular weight lifter with very low body fat. 4 weeks ago I awoke with severe pain and spasms  in my mid upper back (TI to c5 region0. It has not abated despite numerous chiropractic visits.I have had  an MRI and I appear to have mild bulging disks from c5 to c8 (in each disk). The MRI doesn't show TI but it is  sore to touch. I have partial paralysis in my right Pectoral and tricep and they are atrophying rapidly. I have tried the gym with light weights and I have no strength to press with my right side nor can I chin up evenly. Frankly I am frightened. An internet search contains frightening anecdotal stories from bloggers but no promising prognosis on any site. I have found a similar story on this site. (I am a  49 y/o male in top physical condition. I am a muscular weight lifter with very low body fat. 4 weeks ago I awoke with severe pain and spasms  in my mid upper back (TI to c5 region0. It has not abated despite numerous chiropractic visits.I have had  an MRI and I appear to have mild bulging disks from c5 to c8 (in each disk). The MRI doesn't show TI but it is  sore to touch. I have partial paralysis in my right Pectoral and tricep and they are atrophying rapidly. I also sometimes have pain under the right armpit. Also about a week ago my chest cramped at night uncontrollably. Frankly I am frightened. I have tried a gym visit and cannot press even a light weight with my right side and I cannot perform a chinup.An internet search contains frightening anecdotal stories from bloggers but no promising prognosis on any site. Any thoughts? Any hope?

I found a similar story on this site but the answer contained a request for more info.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/Tricep-pec-muscles.htm

Answer
Bulging discs that are not impinging directly on a spinal nerve root or the spinal cord typically produce localized inflammation around that region of the spinal without symptoms in other body parts, which probably explains the localized spinal tenderness that you described.

However, progressive muscle weakness that leads to atrophy and paralysis and that is not responding to conservative manual therapy, be it chiropractic or physical therapy, warrants immediate medical investigation. I recommend that you consult with a medical neurologist or orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible for further evaluation.

I hope this helps to answer your question.