Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 10/25/2006

Question
I have a tingling sensation on my left arm, the feeling of something pulling (like when you expand a rubber band) at front and back of my neck and in the inner part of my legs. These symptoms come and go.  Al so, I have a jumping heart.
Can you please tell me more or less what is going on with me?

Thank you!


Answer
Gilberto,

Since I am unfamiliar with your medical history or your physical condition, I obviously cannot offer you specific health care or medical advice.

However, in general, problems in the neck may commonly refer symptoms to the arm. Examples would include a disc herniation in the neck causing inflammatory/chemical pain affecting a spinal nerve root, or actual compression of a nerve root due to disc herniation, which would usually cause numbness/tingling, and possibly loss of function in the arm. Some muscular conditions, such as myofascial trigger points, may also refer pain distally.

A good physical examination can help identify the cause of these symptoms. For musculoskeletal problems, additional testing, such as MRI an MRI to rule out disc herniation, or electrodiagnostic testing (NCV/EMG) performed by a neurologist to test nerve and muscle function, might be needed, depending upon the patient's symptoms, examination findings, and response to conservative treatment.

However, any numbness or tingling in the left arm should be taken seriously, as they also may signify heart-related symptoms. I would strongly urge someone with tingling in the left arm to see their primary care physician immediately to make sure that they don't have a heart problem. Obviously, heart conditions would be outside of the scope of chiropractic practice, and would require medical evaluation and treatment.

Symptoms in both legs might be related to a separate issue. It is uncommon for a neck problem, such as a disc syndrome, to cause symptoms in only one arm and both legs. Obviously, these leg symptoms should also be evaluated.

So, my general recommendations to someone with problems that you have described would be to consult with a chiropractor who will perform a thorough case history and an appropriate examination. Chiropractors commonly encounter the neck and leg symptoms that you describe, and generally speaking have quite favorable outcomes when the problem is of a mechanical spinal nature. I also strongly recommend consultation with a primary care physician for evaluation of heart palpitations and left arm numbness to determine if additional evaluation with a cardiologist is required.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to you.