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Numbness or Pain Down the Arm Few disorders of the spine rival the frequency of low back pain. One that comes close, however, is neck pain. Just as low back pain often is accompanied by numbness or tingling in one or both legs, neck pain is often accompanied by these sensations in the arms. While many persons attribute these sensations to “circulation”, they most often result from pinching or irritation of a spinal nerve.
Several causes of numbness and tingling to the arms originate in the neck. Perhaps the most common is restriction of movement of a spinal joint. This may cause direct friction to the nerve root as it exits the spine, or secondary muscle tightness which can also produce nerve irritation. Those with disc thinning or degeneration, however, respond to treatment well if normal joint movement can be restored with manipulation.
Dr. J. K. Paterson, a medical doctor from Great Britain, performed a large study of patients with spinal pain syndromes. Of the 364 patients studied with cervical spine or neck disorders, 115 reported numbness, tingling or pain to one or both arms. A complete relief of symptoms was obtained in 90% of the patients with neck disorders using chiropractic manipulation. Interestingly, although Dr. Paterson had a high rate of success with pain disorders in the lower spine, the success rate for neck pain and numbness to the arms, was even higher. This group of patients seems ideally suited to chiropractic manipulation.
Numbness or tingling to one or both arms is usually the result of pinched or irritated nerves in the neck. Examination will reveal the cause and rule out “poor circulation”. Chiropractic treatment is most often successful in resolving this condition and should be considered in anyone with these symptoms.
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