Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 7/31/2007

Question
QUESTION: I got neck and shulder pain for a couple of years. i do yoga and pilate, had lots of massage trying to get rid of it, but none of them worked.and Recently, my left arm and fingers got numb from time to time, and it goes all the way to my thumb and index fingers. it would start from the top of my left arm and i can feel it goes through the fingers. i felt like i want to push the top of my left arm at that time to make me feel a little release from the heaviness and numbness it will be gone for like 10 seconds, not totaly gone though. can you advise what the problem it is and what i need to do to fix it? thanks a lot. Sharon

ANSWER: Hi Sharon,

It sounds like a pinched nerve in the neck, the radial nerve to be precise. I suspect the thumb and index finger are involved but without verification all I can do is speculate. From your history, there is nothing to reveal it could be anything else. Treatment consists of rest, cervical towel traction, possibly home overdoor traction, ice, electrical stim such as interferential therapy and joint mobilization. This is a common problem successfully treated by most Chiropractors. Depending upon where you live, an Osteopath and some physical therapists can also treat this. Even worse case scenarios usually don't require invasive surgery, if you need a referral I would be happy to accommodate you.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for prompt reply.
what are cervical towel traction, home overdoor traction, ice, electrical stim,interferential therapy and joint mobilizationis?
yes, i am in Oakbrook terrace, IL 60181. It would be great if anyone you can refer is in HSA medical group.
by the way, my dad passed away for heart attack.

Thanks again, Sharon

Answer
Hi Sharon,

You happen to live by the research arm and best school in the profession, 200 E. Roosevelt Rd, Lombard-National University of Health Sciences. They have an outpatient clinic on site.

Towel traction is using a towel to apply a traction force to the neck to decompress a disc causing nerve root compression.

Home over door traction is a take home traction kit prescribed by a physician to speed recovery.

Ice?

Interferential is used to interfere with the ability of the body to convey pain.

Joint mobilization is used to establish normal range of motion and correct misaligned vertebra.

I am not sure what HSA medical group is, NUHS and I are in most PPO's, if they are a PPO then there is a good chance we are in it. I am 40 miles from Oakbrook Terrace.

Good luck with your recovery.

Dr. Tim