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Question:

I get a dull, very painful ache that radiates from my neck and/or upper back (over the left shoulder blade) that radiates down my arm and into my hand. Sometimes there is numbness and tingling in my fingers as well. I've had an EKG which comes back fine and I'm in good health otherwise (I'm 36). It comes and goes. The last time I had it, I took Skelexin which worked really well. This time, it doesn't seem to have any effect at all. Any ideas what this could be?

Answers:
I have something like that, also. I've been checked out, too, and everything fine. It sounds like a pinched nerve. It causes me all kinds of pain (and tingling) down through the arm and hands. Ibuprofen usually works for me.

pinched nerve!

I have some symptoms that are very similar to what you'e describing - I've had some HORRIBLE pain in my thumb joints, and tingling is very common, as well. I'm convinced it's coming from my back and neck, and going down my arms. My sister does medical transcription and when I described it to her, she guessed it might be thoracic outlet syndrome. I went online and found a site with exercises on it and since I've been doing them, it has helped me a ton! There are four of them. Put your right arm behind your back, put your left hand on the top of your head and pull to the left for a count of five - do 10 reps. Then reverse your hands and do ten reps. Pull your chin, held even, backward for a count of five - again 10 reps. Rotate your shoulders up and back 10 times. Lastly, stand in a corner with your hands at shoulder height, and lean toward the corner for a count of five, ten times. Don't do it until it hurts - just steady. Do these exercises twice daily - if it makes a difference, that's likely what it is. Read up on the syndrome - and I've been thinking about going to a chiropractor as well if I don't get completely over it. Not very fun, is it? Good luck - and I hope you get the same results I did.

There is occasionally a use for drugs such as the Skelexin. However, it is only treating the symptom and not the problem. I would try a therapeutic massage first, since nothing has turned up so far as there is a good indication that there may simply be a pinched nerve involved. If that doesn't resolve it, consult your local chiroprator.

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