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arm pain

A week ago I woke up with a bit of a stiff neck but brushed it off as “just a stiff neck”.
It got gradually worse as the week went on until Saturday when I couldn’t stand the pain which was now shooting down my right arm.
I went to a clinic and they prescribed muscle relaxants for my neck. On Sunday, I noticed that the feeling in my thumb is gone.
Monday I went back to a clinic and they said my muscle was spasming and prescribed anti-inflammatories.
I have since lost the feeling in the upper arm.
The pain still shoots from my shoulder down my arm and it feels itchy but I can’t feel it when I scratch.
Is there more to this than I’ve been told.
It’s now Wednesday and my arm is no better. I appreciate any info you can give me.


1 Comment found

    doc4bax

    9 10

    There are a few things that can cause this; at the top of the list is nerve entrapment. That is, somewhere along the path of the nerve it is getting compressed. It could be in the neck (cervical spine). That is, you are getting nerve compression in the neck causing the symptoms in the arm. This is not a definitive diagnosis but would be where I would start. It also is possible you have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). This is a condition where the brachial plexus, the bundle of nerves and vessels that supply the upper extremity is getting compressed. There are a few things that can cause this, a cervical rib or tight anterior neck muscles or the pectoralis muscle. There are simple tests to confirm this. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause the symptoms you feel in the thumb but typically does not refer pain to the forearm. There are areas around the elbow where people have developed ulnar or radial nerve entrapments. A chiropractor can do tests to confirm where the entrapment is at. Another option is nerve conduction study. Do not wait around, go find a chiropractor and have this looked at. Look for a chiropractor who specializes in neuromuscular complaints. Just ask the receptionist when you call. If you are unable to find a chiropractor I would call a neurologist.

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